Authors Explore the Love Between Mother and Child.
A Gift for Mama
By Linda Ravin LoddingIllustrated by Alison Jay Best for: Ages 4-8
Oskar is a small boy on a hunt for the perfect gift for his mother’s birthday. The story is set in late 19th-century Vienna, where Oskar begins his hunt armed with one coin. He settles on a beautiful yellow rose, “the perfect gift.” As soon as Oskar begins heading home, an artist sees the rose and decides it must be in the portrait he is painting. The artist trades a wonderful horsehair paintbrush. In classic folktale style, the story continues with a conductor, a writer, an empress and a little girl with a rose—all trading for “the perfect gift.” When Oskar gets home, he hands his mother the gift and gives her a big hug, which she thinks is the perfect gift.
Many children will relate to Oskar’s search for the perfect gift. And because Oskar always does a “good” thing, the story also teaches that doing good things begets good things. A decent moral and an enjoyable story.
What’s good: The folktale-style story is easy for children to follow and understand.
What’s bad: A missed opportunity to include author’s notes about notable authors, composers and conductors of the era.
Where’s Mommy? By Beverly DonofrioIllustrated by Barbara McClintock Best for: Ages 5-7
This follow-up to Mary and the Mouse, the Mouse and Mary follows Maria and Mouse Mouse. They are secret friends who believe they must keep their friendship secret form their families. When they both call for their mothers to tell them a bedtime story, their searches ensue. Through side-by-side or top-and-bottom comparisons, we see their two worlds in enchanting details. The illustrations tell the tale with an abundance of character, pairing with the limited text to build tension and delight. Both Mouse Mouse’s and Maria’s search end in a wonderful spread that reveals that their mothers have a secret too.
Comparing the parallel worlds of Mouse Mouse and Maria will draw children into the book and give them reason to explore each page in detail. This is a great book for a bedtime story or a picture walk for children not quite reading on their own.
What’s good: Intriguing illustrations in a side-by-side comparison. What’s bad: The climactic scene seems a little kitschy. Mama’s Day with Little Gray By Aimee ReidIllustrated by Laura J. Bryant Best for: Ages 2-5
What is the perfect day? Maybe a day that is created by love—unconditional love. Every child likes undivided attention, and that is exactly what Little Gray gets from his mama as they spend the day swimming, rolling in mud and playing in the grass. Little Gray begins the day by asking about what if he grew big and his mama grew small. Little Gray tells Mama how, when he is big, he will reach the tastiest leaves high in the trees and share them with her. And when she gets sleepy, he’ll cuddle her close and keep her safe. Everything they do adds up to one heck of a day that they both declare is exactly what they’d wish for if Little Gray grew up and Mama grew down.
The expressive watercolor illustrations and the peaceful text combine to make this a soothing bedtime story that young children will want to hear again and again.
What’s good: Soothing illustrations and text. What’s bad: Follows a similar pattern to other books with a reassurance message.
Gifts for Mom
Authors Explore the Love Between Mother and Child.
By McGeath Freeman
A Gift for Mama By Linda Ravin Lodding Illustrated by Alison Jay Best for: Ages 4-8
Oskar is a small boy on a hunt for the perfect gift for his mother’s birthday. The story is set in late 19th-century Vienna, where Oskar begins his hunt armed with one coin. He settles on a beautiful yellow rose, “the perfect gift.” As soon as Oskar begins heading home, an artist sees the rose and decides it must be in the portrait he is painting. The artist trades a wonderful horsehair paintbrush. In classic folktale style, the story continues with a conductor, a writer, an empress and a little girl with a rose—all trading for “the perfect gift.” When Oskar gets home, he hands his mother the gift and gives her a big hug, which she thinks is the perfect gift.
Many children will relate to Oskar’s search for the perfect gift. And because Oskar always does a “good” thing, the story also teaches that doing good things begets good things. A decent moral and an enjoyable story.
What’s good: The folktale-style story is easy for children to follow and understand.
What’s bad: A missed opportunity to include author’s notes about notable authors, composers and conductors of the era.
Where’s Mommy? By Beverly DonofrioIllustrated by Barbara McClintock Best for: Ages 5-7
This follow-up to Mary and the Mouse, the Mouse and Mary follows Maria and Mouse Mouse. They are secret friends who believe they must keep their friendship secret form their families. When they both call for their mothers to tell them a bedtime story, their searches ensue. Through side-by-side or top-and-bottom comparisons, we see their two worlds in enchanting details. The illustrations tell the tale with an abundance of character, pairing with the limited text to build tension and delight. Both Mouse Mouse’s and Maria’s search end in a wonderful spread that reveals that their mothers have a secret too.
Comparing the parallel worlds of Mouse Mouse and Maria will draw children into the book and give them reason to explore each page in detail. This is a great book for a bedtime story or a picture walk for children not quite reading on their own.
What’s good: Intriguing illustrations in a side-by-side comparison. What’s bad: The climactic scene seems a little kitschy. Mama’s Day with Little Gray By Aimee ReidIllustrated by Laura J. Bryant Best for: Ages 2-5
What is the perfect day? Maybe a day that is created by love—unconditional love. Every child likes undivided attention, and that is exactly what Little Gray gets from his mama as they spend the day swimming, rolling in mud and playing in the grass. Little Gray begins the day by asking about what if he grew big and his mama grew small. Little Gray tells Mama how, when he is big, he will reach the tastiest leaves high in the trees and share them with her. And when she gets sleepy, he’ll cuddle her close and keep her safe. Everything they do adds up to one heck of a day that they both declare is exactly what they’d wish for if Little Gray grew up and Mama grew down.
The expressive watercolor illustrations and the peaceful text combine to make this a soothing bedtime story that young children will want to hear again and again.
What’s good: Soothing illustrations and text. What’s bad: Follows a similar pattern to other books with a reassurance message.