Behind the scenes: In the early drafts of this story, there was only one child - a toddler or baby, along with a 'voice' encouraging Momma to show her baby all the fascinating things in her world. The line Yes, or no, or maybe was an important part of the story for me, as I felt it let the young reader/listener know that there could be various answers to any question.  And I liked the cadence of the line.  But that ending word maybe posed a problem when my editor wanted the child in the story to be older and not a baby at all.  The problem was that there was no other perfect rhyming word for maybe other than baby. I stubbornly hung on to that Yes, or no, or maybe line, refusing to let it go. The solution came when I saw a young mother with two children.  That was it!  We just needed to give Momma another child.  Voila!

School Library Journal
"Momma, will you milk the cow?/Yes or no or maybe?/We would like some sweet milk now./Milk for me and baby." As a young boy asks questions, he, his baby sister, and their mother spend a day exploring their farm. They feed the hen, ride a dappled horse, take a bath, and share kisses with a puppy. The mother's answers–either yes, no, or maybe–are presented in reassuring refrains that echo her son's queries. Chaconas's language evokes warmth and comfort, resulting in a story that begs to be read to children while they are snuggled in a loved one's lap. Featuring warm colors and realistic-looking characters, the large, expressive illustrations enhance the cozy mood of the text. Full-page paintings of the family are paired with white silhouettes of the featured farm animals set against textured backgrounds. As the day ends, the baby is sleeping in a crib and the mother is gently tucking the boy into bed. The room is lit from behind by the golden glow of a lamp on a nightstand. This affectionate, satisfying book will be asked for again and again.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA
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Booklist
Lilting rhyme presented in questions and answers between a mother and son enables a little boy to explain to his baby sister all the wonderful things to see and do on a farm: feeding the hen, milking the cow, cuddling the puppy. The boy's question appears on the recto page; turn the page for Momma's wise response. "Momma," asks the boy, "will you wash the pig? / Yes or no or maybe? / In the tub! He's not too big. / Wash him with our baby." Momma replies: "Yes, we'll wash the little pig, / but not in baby's tub! / First, we'll wash our baby's cheeks / And give your knees a scrub." The oil paintings, from the familiar team, display sweetly faced characters and are filled with tenderness that carries through the day until bedtime. They aptly illustrate a quiet, gentle story that embraces mother-son-daughter bonding, an appreciation for nature and farm life, and a child's curiosity. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved