I remember when I was a kid in the halcyon days of the 1990s. One of my grandparents’ favorite Christmas gifts was a personalized book that took a generic story—a had one about Noah’s Ark, Santa Claus, and one other I can’t recall too much about—and made ME the main character of the story. Thirty years later and technology has evolved but personalized gifts remain the same. Mama Sing My Song is a company that has, for years now, done personalized lullabies and songs for thousands of kids. Now, Mama, Sing My Song is an illustrated book that add a layer of art and literacy to its musical origins. 

 

Mama, Sing My Song is intended to be a gift book. The opening page has space for the giver to write their name, to whom they are giving the book, and the date. There’s also space for the giver to write about “Wonderful Qualities I See in You” and “My Hopes and Dreams for Your Life.” Those personal touches make this book more than just a children’s book, but a childhood keepsake that you’ll find as an adult in your parents’ storage and treasure all over again. A QR code is included that directs you to the book’s website where you can download the song in the book, engage with the book in video format, and learn more about the author. 

 

The first panels of the book open with a rhyming, sing-songy introduction about a “song so amazing, delightful, and true—a marvelous song about marvelous you!” The bulk of Mama, Sing My Song is the song itself, which reiterates the uniqueness and individuality of each child, how God will always be with them, how God will make a beautiful thing out them, and how dearly loved they are. 

 

My favorite part of this book is that you can access it in so many ways. The language is simple enough that young readers can read it themselves or have it read to them. There’s a video they can watch or they can listen to the song and follow along in the book. Capturing children’s imaginations through multiple media enhances their learning ability as the message soaks in through different avenues. Personally, my children love it when they can read a children’s book—say an Eric Carle book—then go to YouTube to watch that book played on screen. By offering different ways to engage, Amanda Siebert not only highlights the strength of the book—her original song—but creates more replayability, ensuring that your kid will return to this message time and time again.