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“In actor Mendes’ debut picture book, an anxious young sleeper learns to overcome scary nighttime thoughts with help from Mami… Mendes tackles the delicate matter of nighttime woes—familiar to children and adults alike—with compassion, framing her tale as a discussion between mother and daughter… Rich with purples, blues, and pinks among interludes of puffy white clouds, Bryant’s pitch-perfect artwork serves the text well; Desi’s anthropomorphic brain, clad in a nightcap, is an especially fun addition.”

– Kirkus Reviews

Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries

Written by Eva Mendes
Illustrated by Abbey Bryant
Published by Feiwel & Friends

Every night begins with the same refrain: “MAMI! THERE’S A MONSTER UNDER MY BED!”

Desi has so many scary thoughts! Is her brain a monster?!

Of course it’s not a real monster, and Mami assures Desi of this. Sometimes we just have scary worries running through our minds. And like anything in life, you just need to work to make things better.

With gentle guidance from Mami, Desi realizes she’s the boss of her thoughts. Together they try different approaches to clear their minds of these never-ending worries.

While Desi may still have scary thoughts from time to time, she realizes that they can tackle anything!

Actress Eva Mendes writes a deeply relatable story about a subject that all parents can likely connect with: the bedtime struggle! Pulling from her own experiences as a mother, she has written a fun and instructive story of a mother and daughter working together to quash those scary thoughts and be off to bed at last.

Look for the Spanish version, Desi, Mami y las Infinitas Preocupaciones.

Primary ISBN: 9781250867438
Publication Date: September 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , ,

Setting: Unspecified

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Engagement Projects & Resources:

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Engagement Materials:

An Introduction with Author, Eva Mendes

Storytime Suggestions & Activity Kit

Source: Macmillan