Mama in Congress Rashida Tlaib's journey to Washington

Congresswoman Tlaib gets the biographic treatment in this fun, informative picture-book biography told from the point of view of her son Adam. Though the title is full of biographic details of "Mama"--growing up Muslim in Michigan in a family of 14; exploring debate and law--this book does not shy away from childlike fun either, featuring a laugh-out-loud illustration of Tlaib's two sons hitting the dab. This duality allows for conversations about Tlaib's own career and her support of progressive causes, as well as learning about government and elections through the eyes of a tween. The use of conversation bubbles will entice comics readers and help make this a livelier book than a typical congressional biography might be. The bright, cartoonish illustration style will attract younger readers, while the longer prose will hold older readers. This is a great addition to collections showcasing women diversifying Congress and a fun way to talk to kids about the ways anyone can make a change in the world if they set their heart to the task.

Two boys accompany their mother to work in Washington, D.C.'s Capitol Building in this familial account of Palestinian American congressperson Rashida Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Inside the Rotunda, Tlaib and Paul's coauthor Adam Tlaib, here portrayed as a child, explains, "Mama's story of opening doors started long before she was elected to Congress." He describes her childhood in southwest Detroit, where her family encounters racism and experiences financial instability. "The first in her family to graduate from high school, college and law school," Tlaib deepens her understanding of Islam, pursues public service, and gives birth to--then campaigns with--her sons. Aserr's contemporary illustrations emphasize juxtapositions, rendering the U.S. Capitol sun-soaked, and Detroit factories dark under sooty skies in this intimately voiced narrative. Back matter includes a glossary and description of government branches. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)

A boy of Palestinian descent explains how (and why) his mom, Rashida Tlaib, went into politics. Using a deep-seated desire to help others as both theme and motivation, Adam describes how his mother, growing up in a polluted neighborhood of Detroit as the eldest of 14 siblings and experiencing both prejudice and poverty, went on to earn a law degree, to work for and then (after prayer and reflection) succeed a state representative, and, in time, to win election to the national House of Representatives--where, she explains, if the president should misbehave, she can vote to "give him a time out!" Other than that, she has little to say about her policies or projects. "Mama, why are you one of the first Muslim women in Congress?" asks Adam's younger brother, Yousif. Standing before an unlabeled but recognizable portrait of Shirley Chisholm in Aserr's bright, chipper rendition of the Capitol's foyer, Mama answers, "Sometimes it takes many to run for there to be a first"--a pointed, if potentially misleading (given that Chisholm wasn't Muslim), moment. There and in other settings ranging from smoky cityscapes to retro suburban scenes, the small figures of hurrying passersby or celebratory election workers that join the representative and her two children (dad, divorced, escapes mention) feature several people of color, including some wearing hijabs. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Light on specific detail but a welcome notice that our government is increasingly diversifying. (glossary) (Picture-book biography. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.