My Mommy's Tote
By P.H. Hanson
Workman Publishing, $16.95
16 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-0761147671

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

What kid doesn't love to go through mom's pocketbook at any and every opportunity? While there are times it's nice to know it'll keep your child occupied for five minutes while you're at the bank or checking out at the grocery store, let's face it, most of the time, it isn't practical. Cell phone goes missing, lipsticks get damaged, change all over the place, and pen marks all over little hands and arms before you can answer the question about packing your groceries in paper or plastic.

Enter My Mommy's Tote, a book that doubles as a pretty good stand-in for the real thing, intended for children aged three and up. Bound like a book tipped to the left with fabric tote handles for easier carrying, My Mommy's Tote opens up to reveal "pages" that offer little ones all the same things that they'll find in mom's bag -- fun without the fuss. With a number of hands-on activities and a minimum number of things that can get lost or misplaced, the book is likely to be enthusiastically received by any toddler who likes to pretend she's just like mommy. While it's a bit bulky for a diaper or activity bag, and probably a little too heavy for toddlers to carry around for a long time on their own (at least, I know my own kid wouldn't make it through a single aisle of the grocery store without telling me she was tired and I had to carry it), it's a good choice for sit-down play or perhaps car travel.

There are plenty of items for kids to touch and identify, plus interactive components and even a mystery (the ubiquitous missing sock, of course) for little ones to solve. The labels and descriptions of items lend themselves to discovering the hidden story inside, enjoyable by parents and kids, with humorous tongue-in-cheek angle: "My mommy says, 'Always put your best foot forward.' Maybe that's why she has so many shoes." Of course, that page is graced by a single leopard-print pump, plus sunglasses, jewelry, and more. There's a lift-the-flap cosmetic bag, book, and passport, plus a spin the wheel dictionary and Sudoku book with a window that allows kids to practice the alphabet and counting skills, even a little maze. The die-cut cardboard laptop and pretend credit card are removable, plus there's a clock with hands that move. A write-on wipe-off dry erase pad with accompanying pen completes the book.

Author P.H. Hanson, the creator of My Granny's Purse and My Grandpa's Briefcase, returns with another addition to the series in My Mommy's Tote. The unexpected story evolves from the comments that stand alone on each page; when taken together page after page they reveal a toddler's opinion on how great mommy is and all the fun things they do together. But don't forget about that all-important missing sock!