Reviews: Mothers

Mothers, 1992

The importance of mothers in a story begins early. Every time I read a book with my two year old, she asked, "Where is the Mommy?" and indeed mothers seem to be the central figures in many, many children's books. There are a wide array of mothers--there are the mothers who represent safety to a small child (and are often bigger than life). Then there are the mothers who are capable of making mistakes and have all too human traits. There are many stories of mothers in relationship with their children, mothers who love unconditionally and children who adore their mothers in return.

Mothers Who Love and Support

The mothers in books for the very young represent, for the most part, the solid mothers who are always there. They are sources of unconditional love and acceptance. One of the most reassuring mothers is found in Margaret Wise Brown's Runaway Bunny. (HarperCollins, 1942) Runaway Bunny is a great comfort to a young child who is seeking independence, but wants to know that Mom will always be there when she is needed. For a young child, this companion book to Goodnight Moon (HarperCollins, 1942) is rather like re-discovering an old friend. The colored illustrations show the hidden baby bunny and the searching mother, creating easy participation for a toddler. New venturing into independence comes at a variety of ages and Runaway Bunny is a book that is loved for a long time. Ages 2-4. Now available in board book format or with a plush bunny for hugging and companionship.

When young children venture out in the world, it's important to know that mother is close for reassurance. Nancy Tafuri shows us that seal babies have the same needs in Follow Me! This is a wordless book that a young child can "tell" to a parent. It begins with a seal baby rubbing noses with its mother and then the youngster begins to adventure. One adventure leads to another until the seal pup is surrounded by crabs. No sooner has the baby looked for support than his mother (and siblings) are at his side. The book ends, as it began, with a seal snuggle. Tafuri's illustrations are simple, colorful and will make you want to frame the art. Ages 2-4. (Greenwillow, 1990)

Barbara Joose's Mama, Do You Love Me? has an Arctic setting that appreciates both the differences of culture and the sameness of a mother's love. The book is a celebration of the mother-daughter bond as Dear One, is reassured about the endlessness of the quantity, quality and duration of her mother's caring There is a natural quality in the author's choice of the question-answer format that is so often is the interactive base of this relationship. The lyricism and imagery of text and illustration lift the book above common expression. The colors are vivid, the range of emotions broad and the word sounds echo with as much play as the characters and the message is expressed clearly without being heavy-handed. Ages 3-6. (Chronicle Books, 1991)

Mem Fox's Koala Lou tells the story of a much-loved Koala child who suffers greatly from the busy life after siblings arrive. Her mother, who used to have time to verbalize her love frequently, is now too busy with babies. Koala Lou, missing the lovely reassurance, "Koala Lou, I do love you" decides to re-win her mother's love by winning the Bush Olympics. Koala does not win her event, but she does receive understanding and once again the lovely expression of mother love! The catchy chorus has now become one of our family chants and it always warms my daughter's heart and I find as I repeat the chorus to her, my heart is warmed as well. Illustrations by Pamela Lofts are both vibrant and calming. Ages 3-6. (HBJ, 1988)

Real Mothers

Sometimes mothers in books make mistakes and they have feelings too. I welcome the imperfect mother in book; somehow it takes the pressure off and shows that moms are just as human as their offspring. The imperfect mothers are filled with a compassion that often is enough to remedy misunderstanding.

One of the more real mothers in the literature is found in Barbara Joosse's Dinah's Mad, Bad Wishes. Dinah has painted on her mother's freshly painted-wall. Both Dinah and her mother are furious; the mother with the deed anf Dinah with her punishment. The author does an excellent job of describing the dynamic of frustation building to anger as so often happens between parent and child and she also sensitively describes a child's fear of her own wishing. Best of all, Joosse shows her parent-child audience a way to heal and a happy reconcilation at the end of the book. Ages 3-7. (Harper & Row, 1989)

Children are so often misunderstood. How many times have I reprimanded my daughter only to find out that she'd been performing a loving action. This is just the case in Maryann Macdonald's Rosie Runs Away. Rosie is suffering with lack of mother attention because of the busy, all-consuming energy of baby Fat Mat. When her mother complains of fatigue, Rosie kindly takes the baby outside so that her Mam can get some piece and quiet. Her mother wakes worried and finds a filthy baby. Rosie, scolded instead of praised, first feels diminished and then decides to run away. From the distance, Rosie sees how important she is to the family and returns home to find Mat sleeping. She is warmly greeted and appreciated by a refreshed mother. I have never seen a book that so well described how mother's impatience around small siblings can affect to a young child. Ages 3-6. (Atheneum, 1990)

There Are All Kinds of Mothers in the World

The mothers who fill children's literature take all kinds of forms. I am always happy to see less traditional mother's welcomed into the children's book genre. Lizi Boyd's The Not-So-Wicked Stepmother tells the story of Hessie who is going to spend the summer with her father and his new wife, Molly. Hessie knows from books that stepmothers are "wicked, mean and VERY ugly". Of course Molly is not at all what Hessie expects and Hessie grows to love this summer family. The book is filled with feelings fun and much support. Ages four and up. (Viking, 1987) The relationship, issues and resolutions are continued in the sequel, Sam is My Half Brother (Viking, 1991)

Spending Time with (and without) Mom

It's difficult to describe the ins and outs, ebbs and flows of days spent with children. Several writers have accomplished and succeeded in portrayals of the intimate sharing of children and mothers. The day of mother and child is often marked by playful interaction and Marisabina Russo captures this perfectly in Where Is Ben? The mother, busy with pie making, is continually interrupted by her son to participate in an on-going game of hide-and-seek. A young listener will be drawn into story participation by finding Ben in the illustrations. Mothers will recognize the familiar disarray caused by a young child who is actively, joyfully experiencing the comforts of his home. Ages 2-4. (Greenwillow, 1990)

Sometimes when mothers and children are physically separated, they still have a sense of each other. Amy Valens' Jesse's Daycare is a story about a mother that works and a young child who goes to day care. Their days correspond in the sadness of parting, the bustle of their mornings, break/snack time, sharing with others, missing each other, and finally comparing days at the end of the afternoon. This book is comforting in showing children what mothers do while away from them, drawing parallels that are understandable and in the caring view of a parent and child divided by work schedule. Ages 2-5. (Houghton Mifflin, 1990)

So many mothers are working mothers, that it's refreshing to see books where children are given a sense of the work place. Barbara Shook Hazen's Mommy's Office shows us the corporate world through the eyes of Emily, who is visiting her mother's large office. Written true to a child's viewpoint, Emily clears up misconceptions about what her mother does every day, (i.e. nothing gets broken during coffee break), but best of all sees that they "do sort of the same things" at both their offices. Particularly noteworthy is the sense of pride that Emily has in her mother and herself. Ages 3-6. (Atheneum, 1992)

Mothers Need Celebration

I often recommend that women ask for Five Minutes Peace, by Jill Murphy, for Mother's Day. The mother, Mrs. Large, the elephant, is followed constantly by her demanding crew of three little elephant babies, as she looks for five minutes peace. The exasperation, exhaustion and noise of motherhood are faithfully represented and all mothers understand the truth of Mrs. Large enjoying three minutes and forty-five seconds of peace before all the children join her once again. Ages 4 and up, but especially appreciated by mothers. Look also for the sequel, All in One Piece, where Mrs. Large attempts a night out with her husband. (Putnam)

The Mother's Day Mice , written by Eve Bunting and lavishly illustrated by Jan Brett, tells the story of three mice who go off on an adventure to get their mother a mother's day present. The two oldest get something tangible, but the youngest thrills the whole family with a song for his mother. The sensitive mother lets it be known that all three have "brought her their love" and the story closes on a warm house filled with summer coming, wishes, music and love. (Clarion, 1986)

Sometimes nurturing a mother can be difficult. This is very clear in Jillian Wynot's The Mother's Day Sandwich. When Ivy and Hackett plan a Mother's Day breakfast in bed, they begin by feeling limited by how little of the kitchen equipment they are permitted to use. Though neither stove or sharp knives are accessible, the two do manage to make a mess of the kitchen. This is only the beginning, when they carry in cornflakes and surprise their mother out of a sound sleep, the food flies. Fortunately their resourceful mother teaches them how to make a Mother's Day sandwich. Hacket and Ivy are the bread which closely squeeze closely to the cheese and wish her a happy day! Ages 3-5. (Orchard, 1990)

*Mothers 1991

Baby Talk

Two years ago I did a survey of books about mothers, motivated by my daughter's constant search for mothers in books. My daughter is still touched by the appearance of a mom in a book and I find that Moms are still centrally filling the pages of children's books.

Mothers Are Important in First Books

Mothers are present in children's books from the very beginning, which seems fitting as mothers are one of babies' first and primary relationships in the world. Mothers who nurture their babies with books can also show them book mothers that nurture. The photographs of Slier and Lipp's board book Me and My Mom show mothers and babies from newborn to toddler doing all kinds of activities together. They wash clothes, tickle, and play with the dog with a constant joy of being together. This tiny board book holds much in its pages. First, it gives representation of all colors and kinds of babies, even giving depiction of a Down's Syndrome child. Secondly, the major thrust of the photos show the Moms having a wonderful playful time with their babies. One of the major challenges mothers face is being a playmate rather than a mere care-giver of their children. This small book suggests wonderful models. (Checkerboard Press, Macmillan, 1990) (6 mo.-2 yrs.)

In I Love My Mommy Because..., Laurel Porter-Gaylord combines two of a child's first loves, mothers and animals. Her text is a listing of many things that mothers do for young children, such as "feeding me when I'm hungry" and "coming when I call." Illustrator Ashley Wolff gives double meaning to words by showing how animal mothers give similar care to their young. This is a book that can extend through the years. Babies will enjoy naming the animals in Wolff's naturalistic pictures and making sounds to go along with images. Toddlers will appreciate the listing of all that mothers do and relate these their own lives. Young children will see the parallels between the world of animals and humans. This book will inspire many conversations for a range of ages as the ideas reach beyond its sturdy pages. Ages 8mo-3 yrs. (Dial, 1991)

Helen Oxenbury well knows the world of a young child. In her over-sized board books she presents situations typical to a baby and illustrates the book with all kinds of romping babies. In All Fall Down, a mother initiates the rollicksome their adventures with an exhuberant singing you can almost hear. Ages 6mo-2yrs. (Macmillan, 1989)

When toddlers beginning to want a real story, they crave books that representtheir own world. Because mothers are so often the centers of their worlds, Helen Oxenbury has made mothers figure in several of her books about Tom and Pippo . Tom is a toddler who expereriences the powers and pitfalls of parenting his stuffed monkey. Fortunately in Tom and Pippo Make a Friend and Go For a Walk his mother is there to support him in his struggles. She is rather in the background, but there is a strong sense of her being accessible when needed for reassurance. Ages 2-4. (Macmillan)

Mother Goose, one of the most important mothers in your baby's life

Another mother that's very important to babies is Mother Goose. Zena Sutherland, one of the foremost authorities on children's books, has made excellent selection in The Orchard Book of Nursery Rhymes. Ms. Sutherland chooses a representation of rhyme and rhythms that range from familiar Mother Goose poems to lullabies, finger plays, and nonsense verses that bubble with sounds to delight babies. Illustrations by Faith Jaques are colorful and warm. Ages 0-6. (Orchard, 1990)

Another familiar mother of rhyme and rhythm fame makes her appearance in Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog by James Marshall. With the appearance of this book, James Marshall, one of childrens' favorite illustrators, becomes accessible to the youngest set who will enjoy his wit in words and illustration for years to come. As usual, his humor leaps from the pages and so as your baby coos to the words, you will giggle at Marshall's hysterical view of the inner life of this famous literary Mom. It's one of those books that will make a special place in your heart as a book that please both reader and audience at the same time. Ages 0- adult. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1991)

Wanting to keep alive both the love of words and the love of Mother Earth, Advocacy Press has published Mother Nature Nursery Rhymes. The poems are a blend of original verses and re-writes of traditional rhymes with avoidance of sexual stereotypes, violence and ecological thoughtlessness. The book abounds in colorful illustrations by Itoko Maeno whose love of the natural world is apparent in her work. The book ranges from repeatable verses to activity plays and suggestions for parents to bring ecology alive in their homes. Ages 0-8. (Advocacy Press, 1990)

A child who is a loves books that rhyme will be a fan of Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino illustrated by Steven Kellogg. A series of silly riddles are voiced by a llama searching for his mama. The rhythms and the guessing participation give this book a driving force and excitement that builds to a satisfying conclusion. The child's guesses are support by rhyme and illustration and much fun is created by screaming out the answer while the page turns. I for one was pleased to see Kellogg, one of children's favorite illustrators, design picture for a younger audience. Ages 2-5. (Scholastic, $11.95)

Lastly, mothers who want help in choosing books for their children can refer to Lois Winkel and Sue Kimmel's Mother Goose Comes First, a guide to books and recordings for the pre-schooler. The authors annotate and categorize hundreds of books for children beginning with Mother Goose and stretching to books that will please a young elementary child. Many are the times that family crises or interests can be easily served with a children's book. This volume's categories range from family to growing up to special times. Short annotated notes make this an easy resource to use. Adult. (Holt, 1990)

Spending Time with Mom

It's difficult to describe the ins and outs, ebbs and flows of days spent with children. Several writers have accomplished and succeeded in portrayals of the intimate sharing of children and mothers.

Nancy White Carlstrom describes the poetry of closeness in Where Does the Night Hide? Carlstrom makes night friendly to a young child by showing that dark is all around during the day. Both shadows and fears are dispelled by the strong surety of the mother who is there to support her child in the delight of this discovery. Both writer Carlstrom and illustrators Thomas and Laura Allen vision their images from a child's point of view and this creates much of the book's magic. Ages 3-6. (Macmillan, 1990)

Night is the backdrop for a story of mother-daughter closeness in Deborah Kogan Ray's Stargazing Sky as the two take a sensual journey into the miracle of a night of shooting stars. Sights and sounds of the night come alive with Ray's creative outlooks and the mother and child are rounded as they defy impatience and cold to experience together the marvel of "fireworks from the sky." Ages 4-6. (Crown, 1991)

The day of mother and child is often marked by playful interaction and Marisabina Russo captures this perfectly in Where Is Ben? The mother, busy with pie making, is continually interrupted by her son to participate in an on-going game of hide-and-seek. A young listener will be drawn into story participation by finding Ben in the illustrations. Mothers will recognize the familiar disarray caused by a young child who is actively, joyfully experiencing the comforts of his home. Ages 2-4. (Greenwillow, 1990)

Playfulness is also the tone of Anna Grossnickle Hines' The Greatest Picnic in the World. Part of the tone is set by the rollicking rhymes and rhythms, part by the wild assortment of articles a mom and her child organize and part by the frenzy of a young baby who is into everything. The last bit of play comes when the car is finally loaded and (you guessed it!) ...it begins to rain. The resourceful Mom moves the picnic to the hall..."that's all!" Ages 2-4. (Clarion, 1991)

Not all mother-child time is wonderful as we see in Mrs. McClosky's Monkeys by Elvira Woodruff. Mrs. McClosky's children behave so much like monkeys that soon their features begin to resemble those of primates. One day when visiting the zoo, the simian children take up residence. It is seeing the warmth of parents and children that bring them back to their senses, former appearances and finally to their mother who despite all has missed them. A wonderful cautionary tale to bring laughter into a difficult day. Ages 4-7. (Scholastic, 1991)

Even mother pigs can get annoyed. The only word that appears in Arthur Geisert's near-wordless book is the title word, Oink . And yet, there is much said about mother's caring and worry and much that a child can tell to a parent when "reading". Mama pig carefully leads her eight piglets to view the world, but when she wakes from a nap to find that they've ventured out to discover an apple tree, she has only one (and very loud) thing to say. Ages 2-5. (Houghton Mifflin, 1991)

When young children venture out in the world, it's important to know that mother is close for reassurance. Nancy Tafuri shows us that seal babies have the same needs in Follow Me!, Like Oink this is a wordless book that a young child can "tell" to a parent. It begins with a seal baby rubbing noses with its mother and then the youngster begins to adventure. One adventure leads to another until the seal pup is surrounded by crabs. No sooner has the baby looked for support than his mother (and siblings) are at his side. The book ends, as it began, with a seal snuggle. Tafuri's illustrations are simple, colorful and will make you want to frame the art. Ages 2-4. (Greenwillow, 1990)

Mothers Are Nurtures

One of a mother's most important roles in supporting a child through life's rough spots. Many of those rough spots are growing up itself. In What Did Mommy Do Before You? by Abby Levine, small children can learn that mothers have gone through growing pains that all children experience. Transitions such as walking, potty training, sharing, shots, and fears are explained in comforting tones, with an underlying understanding of how difficult growing can be for a very young child. There is a strong emotionally supportive listening quality to text. The love throughout culminates very naturally in a definition of mothering that is based on love. Ages 2-6. (Viking, 1988)

Children love to imagine themselves as grown up. In Miriam Schlein's Big Talk, a mother kangaroo listens to her child brag and dream about how big he is. She supports his dreams, assures him that he will grow into them and lets him know that she will be there for him. The conversation and book are simple presented and yet contain a wonderful balanced writing that is the perfect medium to describe the balance an individuating young child needs when he ventures beyond the world that is familiar to him. The bantering, playful tone represent perfectly a loving mother-child communication. Ages 2-5. (Bradbury, 1990)

Sometimes only a mother's reassurance can get a child over a difficult bump. Nancy White Carlstrom's I'm Not Moving Mama features a small mouse who is willing to have his possessions moved, but unwilling to leave the comfy home and surroundings he's used to. His mother is a well of constancy reassurance, excellent presenter of the positives the future hold, assures him of the continuance of elements important to him, states his important role in their new life, and in remembering the past too. Ages 3-6. (Macmillan, 1990)

Children Love to Nurture Too

Children love to play at being the nurturer. My daughter often suggests a role reversal where she plays "Mama" and at other times it comes unplanned. One of the sweetest moments in a mother's life is seeing a child find expression for their love by care-taking. What warms one is not really the act, but the affection behind it.

Young children will delight in rhyme, rhythm and adventures in Christine Berry's Mama Went Walking. In a series of escapades, Sarah ingeniously, confidently, creatively rescues her mother from lions, floods, rattlers, dinos...until there comes a situation where even Sarah is frightened. Of course, Mama is there to hug her out of the scary fantasies and to re-affirm their love. Ages 3-6. (Holt, 1990)

Dolores Johnson's What Will Mommy Do When I'm at School? tells the story of a young girl who has never left her mother alone. Through the warm telling we get a view of the tenderness of the times they have spent together, how bonded they are, how the young child works out her fears and turns them to excitements of the future, how deeply a young loving child can feel the pain of separation. The book also gives a good way to explain the positives of living more separate lives. This is a great book to open discussion. Ages 4-5. (Macmillan, 1990)

One of the most lovely parts of relationship with children is the telling of family stories. This is the focus of Angela Johnson's Tell Me a Story, Mama. When a young girl requests family stories at bedtime, it becomes evident to the reader that these stories have been told hundreds of times, for it is really the child who tells the stories to her mother. The stories are filled with emotional times--fears, courages, hurts and healings, and implicit in the tellings in the connectedness of generations because of the loving quality of mothers. Ages 4-6. (Orchard, 1989)

Here's wishing you a very happy Mother's Day and a whole year of special sharing of books about Moms!

Mothers

Mothers Who Love and Support

The mothers in books for the very young represent, for the most part, the solid mothers who are always there. They are sources of unconditional love and acceptance. One of the most reassuring mothers is found in Margaret Wise Brown's Runaway Bunny. (HarperCollins, 19427 Runaway Bunny is a great comfort to a young child who is seeking independence, but wants to know that Mom will always be there when she is needed. For a young child, this companion book to Goodnight Moon (HarperCollins, 1942) is rather like re-discovering an old friend. The colored illustrations show the hidden baby bunny and the searching mother, creating easy participation for a toddler. New venturing into independence comes at a variety of ages and Runaway Bunny is a book that is loved for a long time. Ages 2-4. Available in hardcover and paperback.

In Zemach's Mommy Buy Me a China Doll, Liza Lou longs for a china doll and when her mother asks where it might be kept, Liza Lou uproots family members and animals from their accustomed sleeping quarters. There is a lulling chorus which balances Liza Lou's ridiculous suggestions and the mother who loves and rocks and comforts her silly child. Zemach's subtly colored illustrations tone done the hilarity of the text. Ages 2-4. (Farrar Strauss,)

In Mirra Ginsberg's Good Morning Chick the mother, Speckled Hen, watches her newly-hatched baby explore. Supportive of her chick's independence, she remains close by to ward off a black cat and warms and coddles the chick under her wing when it falls into a puddle. Ginsberg's masterful repetitions and Byron Barton's bold illustrations make this a perfect book for a young child. Ages 2-4. (Greenwillow,1980)

In Albert's Toothache by Barbara Williams, the mother is almost as strong a character as Albert who lies in bed with a toothache. Albert's brother and sister tease him and the father is equally unsympathetic, but Albert's mother worries and comforts him. She fixes him a special meal, tries to get him to play, listens and empathizes until Albert is at last understood by his grandmother. Chorao's illustrations emphasize the human-like caring of this loving mother turtle. Ages 4-6. (Dutton, 1974)

In Frank Asch's Bread and Honey we see a little bear who lovingly paints a picture of his mother in school. On the way home, his artwork becomes transformed as each animal he meets offers a suggestion to make the picture match their own animal mothers. The small bear brings home a rather monstrous looking picture, but unlike the other critics, she loves it the way it is. The implication is clear that is really her son that she loves the way he is. (Crown, )

Hazel's Amazing Mother is a super-mom. Hazel wheels her little doll Eleanor (which her mother has made for her) into a gang of bullies and as they torment her, the rain begins to fall. Hazel's mother, sensing the child's need, grabs hold of a picnic blanket which lifts her into the air and carries her to Hazel's rescue. The story ends with a picnic and appreciation for Hazel's mother's "power of love." Rosemary Wells' illustrations of the badgers add humor to an already warm story. Ages 3-6. (Dial,1985)

Another SuperMom was born when Audrey and Don Wood joined efforts to produce Heckedy Peg. Heckedy Peg tells the story of a mother who has seven children; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. As she goes to market she warns them not to let anyone in and not to touch fire. The children, ignoring her warning, let in the nasty witch Heckedy Peg and light her pipe. The witch turns each of the children into a type of food. The poor mother, distraught to find her children missing, searches them out and uses wiles, wisdom and love to outwit the witch. The artwork and plot by themselves might create a spooky story, but the mother's superhuman love and caring nurture and protect the children who listen to the story. For a brave 3 and 4 and up. (Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich, 1987)

Even Mothers Make Mistakes

Mothers are human and sometimes they can make mistakes. However the mothers in children's books are filled with compassion that make them strive to remedy unhappiness.

In Polishkin's Mother, Mother I Want Another, a small mouse, bedding down for the night asks for another and his mother assumes he wants another mother. Putting her own feelings aside, she searches among her animal friends for a mother that will satisfy her child. In a warm conclusion she learns that what her child wants is really another kiss and when she satisfies this want her child goes happily and cozily to sleep. Ages 2-4. Paperback only. (Crown, $2.95)

In Margaret Mahy's A Lion in the Meadow, the little boy tells his mother that there is a lion in the meadow. The mother, after checking and telling her child that he has made up a story, takes a creative approach to this problem by giving the little boy a matchbox with a tiny dragon. The dragon grows and offers a more severe problem as now both lion and boy are frightened. The mother calms them both and then promises never to make up a story again. Bold colorful illustrations bring the story to life as easily as the mother's dragon is made real. Ages 3-6. (Out of print, but available at many libraries)

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins or Things besides having the longest title of any children's book around has marvelous humor and a very strong child's viewpoint. There is a strong wonder throughout as to whether mothers can really protect you from all the ghoulies in the world and a nice ending affirmation that mothers often know more than a child gives them credit for. Viorst's text is filled with images and ideas that really represent a child's world and Chorao's illustrations help set the mood of humor and the ridiculous. Ages 4-8. Available in hardcover and paperback. (Macmillan, $12.95, $2.95)

In Linda Wagner Tyler's Waiting for Mom, a small hippo child waits for his mother to pick him up from school and his mother is late. Though all kinds of comfort and fun is provided by teachers, the principal and after-school providers, the child imagines all kinds of dreadful possibilities and runs a gamut of emotions. Finally his mother drives up honking like mad, runs to hug him, and tell him how worried she's been about him. Not only does the final resolution show the love between parent and child, but it calms and teaches a children options in case this situation may arise for them. Ages 4-7. Available Hardcover only. (Viking, $10.95)

Sometimes the grass looks greener in other households. In The Mommy Exchange, by Amy Hest, Jessica thinks that life is much better at Jason's house. At Jason's house they have the right kind of spaghetti, no baby coming, and peace and quiet and Jason thinks just the opposite. After the two switch homes, both children are ready to accept their true homes, even the parts that aren't quite perfect. Ages 4-6. Available hardcover only. (Macmillan,1988

In Joan Drescher's My Mother's Getting Married, Katy thinks her mother's making a mistake in upsetting the relationship balance they have by marrying Ben. Throughout Katy voices fears and frustrations until she is reassured in the end. Ages 3-7. (Dial, 1986)

There Are All Kinds of Mothers in the World The mothers who fill children's literature take all kinds of forms. Books with differing mothers are generally for older children who are comfortable and secure with their own mothers and are curious about the facts and fictions of other mothers.

Perhaps one of the oddest mothers in recent literature is found in Margaret Mahy's The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate. The respectable (and bored) little man is convinced by his mother to make a trip to the sea. The story is simple, but the imagery abounds until the reader, like the man, is filled with all the wonders his mother has described as she's told him of the sea. Ages 4-8. Available hardcover and paperback. (Viking, $9.95, $3.95)

Mordicai Gerstein does a beautiful job of illustrating and telling the story of The Seal Mother. He retells the old folk tale of the fisherman who falls in love with and captures a seal woman as she dances in human form on Midsummer's Eve. The story is told with the sympathy of her son Andrew . Gerstein adds emotion and love to the selkie myth and the kind of mother-son relationship that is so strong it can bridge two different realms. Ages 5-8. Available in hardcover only. (Dial, $10.95)

Molly Bang adapts the traditional story of the Japanese Crane Wife in her re-telling of Dawn. The story begins with a shipbuilder father telling his young beautiful daughter about the Canadian Goose he captured and healed and the strange woman who came to him soon after asking to be a sail-maker. The father marries the young woman who creates special sails in complete privacy. When the man invades this privacy he finds a Canadian Goose at the loom who shudders and flies away with obvious pain at the separation. The tale is told with sadness and remorse and yet Dawn offers to go and bring her back in the boat the father made for the three of them, returning in the spring when the geese come north again. Bang's excellence as tail teller and illustrator shine through the beautifully detailed boarders and carefully hand-lettered text creating a story that may very well move you to tears. Ages 5-8. (Morrow, 1983)

Missing Mothers

There are several stories that show the effect of a mother that is missing. Caldecott-winning Sam Bangs and Moonshine, for example tells the story of Sam whose mother has died. To comfort herself Sam begins telling lies, telling her friend, for example, that her mother is a mermaid. Sam's patient father acknowledges her pain by gently calling her stories "moonshine". The story comes to crisis, however, when Sam's moonshine creates life-threatening situations. Ages 4-8. Available in paperback and hardcover. (Holt, 1966)

Only Patricia Machlachlan could write about foster parenting without being syrupy or judgmental. In Mama One, Mama Two she tells the story of a young girl who is living with a caring loving sensitive foster mother while she waits for her own mother to recover from a mental illness. The small child describes her love for both mothers and the longing she has, as well. Ages 4 and up. Available in hardcover only (Harper and Row, 1982)

Sometimes it's hard to have a mother that is temporarily missing as in Nancy Parker's My Mom Travels a Lot. The book is composed of a series of good and bads--like the good of eating out a lot and getting lots of postcards and the bad of missed school plays and missing her. The best thing is, of course, that she always comes home. Ages 3 to 6. (Warne, 1981)

Children Take Care of Mothers Too In Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow, a little girl is looking for just the right things to delight her mother for the a birthday present. She receives kind counsel and help from Mr. Rabbit until together they have filled a lovely basket with all kinds and colors of fruits. The little girl's love for and knowledge of her mother's likes and interests is as striking as the impressionistic illustrations of Maurice Sendak. Ages 3-6. Available in hardcover and paperback. (Harper and Row, 1962)

In Vera William's A Chair for My Mother we get to view an unusual family. Their home is destroyed by a fire and they have little money to buy new furniture. The mother works tirelessly as a waitress and puts all her change into a jar. There is an understanding that the money will be put to a chair for the mother. The appreciation of the child for the mother's role and a triumph and delight when the fair is finally purchased. Portrayed in this book are a single-family household that struggles to survive, but does not in the least struggle for intimacy and caring. The boarders and patterning in this book are outstanding and somehow complete the whole of feeling. Ages 4-6. Available hardcover and paperback. (Greenwillow, 1982)

In Tucking Mommy In, by Morag Loh, the two little girls take a turn at nurturing their tired Mommy. They go through a special ritual of undressing her and then "tucking her in. The older child takes responsibility for the younger and she is so satisfied that when the father comes home, they don't need his attention. (Orchard, 1988)

Mothers Need Celebration

Ages 4 and up, but especially appreciated by mothers. Look also for the sequel, All in One Piece, where Mrs. Large attempts a night out with her husband. Both in hardcover only (Putnam, 1986)

Steven Kroll creates a great blueprint of how to create a very special mother's day in Happy Mother's Day. Mother's family of six celebrates her with gifts and deeds done until she is happily overwhelmed. Available paperback and hardcover. (Holiday, 1985)

In this assortment of books about mothers, one can see a wide array of different characters and cultures, but through each runs the strong thread of mother's love. That is what a child looks to the mother protagonist for and finds in most of the books available.