An affirming, purposeful picture book is told through dialogue between a mother and child, who asks, “What’s special about me, Mama?” For each thing the mother names—amazing eyes, beautiful skin, springy hair, joyful laugh, helpful hands, and more—the child counters with a reason why he doesn’t think it makes him special. His skin, for example, is just like Daddy’s. His hair is just like Grammy’s. And his helpful hands are “too little to use the stove. I can only mix.” He even thinks the hugs and kisses his mother finds so wonderful are only little things. But, she points out, they are “two of God’s greatest gifts.” Finally, she notes, “What makes you special, Love, is that you are loved more than anybody in the whole wide world—by me!” Kristina Evans’s warm narrative is set against Javaka Steptoe’s joyful images of a dark-skinned mother and a freckled, light-skinned African American boy. (Ages 3–8)

What's special about me, Mama?/DIVSo many things, Love.Like what, Mama?Like your eyes, Love, and the way they tell amazing stories without any words.But everyone says I have your eyes. What's special about me? A boy wonders what exactly makes him unique among everyone else in his family. In rhythmically written, comforting answers, Mama lists his many wonderful traits, both physical attributes and behavior. Her son thinks all of those qualities are just little things, until Mama explains that there is nothing little about love. What's special about you, Love, is that you are loved more than anybody in the whole wide world--by me!Tell me again, Mama.DIV 
This tender conversation between a parent and child is illustrated with bright and bold collage artwork portraying racial diversity. Together Kristina Evans and Javaka Steptoe have made an affirming book that will stand out among other "I love you" offerings.