Mama Says I'm Fine
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- Pre-Order
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- Expected May 5, 2026
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- $12.99
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- Pre-Order
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
From New York Times bestselling author, Brittney Cooper, comes a heartwarming story of love and resilience that explores the powerful force of a mother-daughter bond.
All my life, my mama has said two words to me. "You're fine." It's just two little words. But those two words can mean a lot.
When a young girl faces tough obstacles or hard days, her mama always soothes her with two loving words: "you're fine." Incredibly simple, yet powerfully affirming, she discovers that being fine can mean so many things -- sometimes it means having courage and speaking out, sometimes it means being proud of who you are. And when learning that even strong mamas can have tough days too -- she realizes that "I'm fine" can simply mean things are not okay, but they will be. But most importantly, it's a reminder from her mother that she will always be enough.
With Brittney Cooper's beautiful and empowering text and Tamisha Anthony's warm and dazzling illustrations, this book perfectly captures the unconditional love between mother and child and serves as a heartfelt affirmation to all readers that they're enough and will always be perfectly fine.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cooper spins the many definitions of fine into a sensitive story about a strengthening mother-child bond. "All my life, my mama has said two words to me. ‘You're fine.' It's just two little words, but those two words can mean a lot," heartfelt first-person narration begins. Subsequent pages spotlight variable meanings of the phrase: "I have to be tough," "I should be proud," "I'm the most beautiful little girl," and "we don't have enough, but we'll get through." As the examples unfurl, the narrator conveys the resultant confidence the reassuring sentence inspires before pivoting to the way the phrase can be mirrored back to Mama, who is "doing this all on her own" and "isn't always fine." Incorporating botanical motifs, limited-palette digital renderings have colored pencil–like outlining; tucked throughout spreads are reminders of the comforting titular sentiment ("I'm fine and I'm kind" says a school poster; "You're fine" spells lettering atop cupcakes), further driving home the text's grounding message. Creators' notes conclude. Ages 4–8.
