Children’s books often explain the age and trend. Get Rid of Your Phone Mummy by Mazzi Odu is no different. Illustrated by Adulphina Imuede, the 29-page book published by Tanja, an imprint of Ouida Books, uses colourful visuals and simple storytelling to highlight how technology, meant to enhance communication, is now straining family bonds.
[ad]
The five-year-old Tobe, who feels neglected as her mother spends more time on her phone than with her, is the eye of the camera through which all activities in the book are seen. She is angry that her mother is constantly glued to her phone—whether sending emails, taking video calls, or scrolling through social media.

One day, after being ignored once again, Tobe asks her mother: “Do you love your phone more than you love me?” This question surprises her mother who does not have immediate response.

At break-time, Tobe is sad. Simi is even sadder because her mummy is an influencer! They both wish their mummies would get rid of their phones.

Out of nowhere, Uduak appears in a sparkling ball of stars and gets to work. With a special spell, a lot of sparkle and a touch of magic, Tobe and Simi get their wish granted — mothers without phones!

This playful but powerful twist encourages young readers and their parents to think about how excessive phone use affects family relationships.

Mazzi Odu, a writer, editor and cultural consultant based in Lagos, said the book was born out of a moment of necessity. “My generator wasn’t working, and there was no electricity. I had to make up a bedtime story for my daughter,” she explained.

Although the story itself is fictional, it is based on research about the negative effects of excessive phone use on both parents and children.

“It’s important to have stories that reflect our reality. As an African mother, I wanted a story set here in Lagos that children and parents could relate to,” she added.

Odu who is passionate about the transformative powers of stories, explores the impact of excessive phone use on family relationships, particularly between mothers and their children.

She believes her book is more than just a story—it’s a conversation starter. She hopes it will encourage parents to reflect on their screen time habits and make changes. “Just as we teach children how to eat and talk, they also learn from watching us. If we are always glued to our phones, they will grow up doing the same,” she said.

She urged and hoped companies will consider policies that allow parents more time with their children and emphasised that screen time could be replaced with more meaningful activities. “I’m not saying don’t use your phone for work, but if you’re endlessly scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, you might be missing out on important moments with your child.”
[ad]
She continued, “With each passage of time you have less time with your children. We have potentially 12 years of their time. I Hope companies will make some days or weeks for parents to have time with their kids.

Lola Shoneyin, an author and the founder of Ouida Books, commended Odu for addressing this issue, noting, “if we don’t tackle it now, the next generation may grow up completely disconnected from real-world interactions.”

Dr. Olaokun Soyinka said: “I witnessed the transitional period, there was a time when we lived without phones, yet we managed fine. Now, we’ve normalised using phones even while talking to people or attending events. If we continue like this, the children we ignore today will ignore us tomorrow.”

Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, also commended the book for being culturally relevant and timely.

The book is an initiative of Bookstorm that was launched by the Book Buzz Foyndation at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in April 2024 with the aim of producing 100 children’s book in Nigeria by the end of 2027.
[ad]