I had a few minutes before bed the other night and had a need for a quick read, so I picked up two goofy, lovable picture books by Fifi Abu. Find an image of Abu, as they look everything like a Fifi, but nothing like what I expected (which is fantastic, as the author is half the fun of a book for me). And if you found that image on the book, well, read the book(s)! As well as the author burb. Spoiler: as a child she was known to eat crayons instead of drawing (and I for one am glad that habit was broken).
Because if they hadn’t stopped the crayon munch, we would not have had Some Moms and Some Dads. And in September 2024 Some Kids. The concept of the books are simple with the ideas of what Moms/Dads can do/can be. Some are tall, short, long, and some do this and some that. It is very basic and universal. You will see all types of people with a few different shapes, sizes, colors, and clothing. Abu likes two of the patterns they used (I think it might be real cloth and drawing mix, but as of this writing I forgot to look, I was just excited to write my review) and polka dots are a favorite. There is a polka dot bathing suit, tops and bottoms. These patterns and style of art flow into all three books (though I have not yet read Kids).
A quick note on Some Kids cover. There are several Arab and other people of color in the Mom and Dad versions, and Kids has an Orthodox Jewish boy and a boy with a colloquial implant expanding the diverse even father. That is probably my favorite part of the two books I read, the representations of looks, religion and though similar outfits, the flair of it all is done in terribly bold and bright, sparsely detailed images.