The love between a mother and her child is precious and everlasting. No two relationships are the same, yet there are shared experiences and memories to which every mother can relate. From the warm embrace of a hug to the soft whispers of encouragement, some of the many ways a mother expresses her love can be found in M is for Mom: A Child’s Alphabet.

M is for Mom is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services.

Did you know that helicopters can fly forward, backward, and side-to-side? Or that the wingspan of a jumbo jet is almost twice as long as the distance of the Wright Brothers’ first flight? Since recorded time, man has looked to the sky and dreamed of ways to fly there. A is for Airplane: An Aviation Alphabet celebrates the roots, inventions, and spirit of the science of flight.

In the Alphabet Series’ usual cheerful style, each spread in this picture book combines a quick rhyme for each letter, a dramatic watercolor painting, and a long detailed sidebar packed with history and technology. Some of the rhymes feel trite (for Helicopters: “H is here to save the day, / helping those who are in harm’s way”). But the science and engineering will grab older readers, from the facts about the International Space Station (orbiting the Earth every hour and a half at an altitude of over 200 miles) to the details about becoming a pilot. Then there is the fascinating history of the Tuskegee Airmen, including the prejudice they suffered and their achievements; the biographies of pioneers Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and the Wright Brothers; and the National Air and Space Museum today. The back matter includes “fun questions and answers,” but no bibliography. Grades 2-4. –Hazel Rochman, Booklist

With its multitude of mountains and the highest elevation east of the Rockies, it’s no wonder West Virginia’s nickname is the “Mountain State.” Abundant natural resources make it a leader in both industry and recreation, from glassmaking to rock climbing. Historic sites and sights include Harper’s Ferry and the annual Native American Pow Wow, along with Lost World Caverns and White Sulphur Springs. Noteworthy West Virginians include Chuck Yeager and Olympian Mary Lou Retton.

From Children’s Literature Review: Another welcome addition to the alphabet series on states delves into the uniqueness of Kentucky. Each letter features a poem and more in depth information about the topics brought forth in the poem. It is a great way to introduce children to a state that they might be visiting on a trip, moving to with their family, or have a family history with a state. This particular book has tie-ins with the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort. The state flower, Goldenrod, and the state tree, the Tulip Tree, and the state butterfly, the Viceroy, are all cleverly worked into their part of the alphabet. At the end of the text, there is a facts page to quiz the reader about what they just learned. A reference list gives website listings for further information on items mentioned in the book. The author is a native Kentuckian and her love of the state is shown in this unique book.

—-Children’s Literature