Mum's busy work by Jacinda Ardern

Channelling a life led by many busy adults, the story of Jacinda Ardern sees her work more crowded and involved, when she becomes Prime Minister of New Zealand.

This fun loving book takes Jacinda and her daughter, Neve, through their work for the week. Monday is day care and Neve gets dresses, stomping her feet, not wanting to go. But Mum agrees that some days she doesn’t want to go to work either.

Neve has a good day at day care and loves it when Mum comes home and reads her a book.

Tuesday sees a day at home with Dad, and Mum’s homecoming is fashioned wit a hug. Wednesday sees her at day care, and again on Thursday which is painting day. Neve cannot understand why Mum gets a little cross as it is Dad who does the washing. On Friday Mum comes home early, giving time to play a favourite game: hide and seek.

Saturday sees the family take a picnic to the playground, although a little dog steals some of their food. And Neve takes issue with having to go to bed early. When she grows up she says bedtime will be later.

On Sunday, Mum takes out her very large briefcase and starts her work, caring for all the people just like Neve, who settles down next to her with her own busy work.

This charming story shows the strong relationship between members of the family as they navigate their lives around Mum’s work.

With an emphasis on hugs, doing things together, asking and answering questions, and having routines, a loving family is modelled for readers. They will see a dancing Mum, a Dad who hugs, a Mum who reads stories, a child who works with her mother as she settles down to her Sunday work, a picnic family, a loving family which makes the child the centre of their days. Sometimes Neve questions decisions, or stamps her feet, but each time, things are explained, hugs given and love radiates around them all.

The lovely illustrations show a smiling happy family, holding out their arms for a hug, or holding hands, being together, laughing, smiling and child centred. Mum’s shoes and oversized briefcase are tossed aside as Jacinda reads Neve a story, her shoes can again be seen as she hides in the game of hide and seek. Readers will love following Neve’s week, comparing it with their own, centred around child care, school and parents’ work.

Themes: Family, Relationships, Humour, Love, Prime Ministers, New Zealand.

Fran Knight