My Mom Is a Foreigner, But Not to Me
What’s inside...
Bestselling author and award-winning actress Julianne Moore pays homage to all the Muttis, Mammas, and Mamans who are from another country in her picture book. A foreign mom may have different customs such as wearing special clothes for holidays, styling hair in old-fashioned braids, and cooking traditional recipes. Despite these differences, the book celebrates that a foreign mom is clearly the best. Illustrated by Meilo So, this story highlights the diverse world we live in and captures a range of children's feelings, from embarrassment to love.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-12
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the child in the book feels about having a mom from a different country?
What are some unique traditions or foods mentioned in the book that you find interesting?
Why is it important to respect and learn about different cultures?
How can we make friends who come from different backgrounds feel welcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the book as a starting point to share your own family's heritage or cultural background with your child.
Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings about diversity and inclusion.
Highlight the similarities and differences between cultures presented in the book and relate them to real-world examples.
Ask your child to draw or describe a scene from the book that made an impact on them and discuss their artwork.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: The book showcases diverse cultures through the eyes of children with foreign mothers, highlighting unique languages, customs, and traditions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and embrace differences in their peers, celebrating various cultures within their community or school.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: By seeing the world from the perspective of children who have foreign mothers, readers gain insight into the challenges and beauties of a multicultural family.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy by recognizing the feelings and experiences of others who may seem different from them, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Identity and Self-Acceptance
Explanation: The narrative encourages children of foreign parents to appreciate their unique background and see it as a strength.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children embrace their own diverse identities, promoting self-confidence and a strong sense of self in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Language Skills
Explanation: The book introduces words and phrases from different languages spoken by the characters’ mothers.
Real-World Application: Children can become curious about new languages and may be encouraged to learn and use words from languages besides their own, enhancing their linguistic abilities.