Big Purple Mommy: Nurturing Our Creative Work, Our Children, and Ourselves [Paperback]

Coleen Hubbard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2001

When Coleen Hubbard saw her daughter's crayon drawing of a "big purple mommy," she realized something important about herself and her life: Creativity was a driving force in her role as a mother. Even her daughter could see she was still an artist, in spite of the car pool, the dirty dishes, and everything else...

While all working mothers face the challenge of balancing career with parenting, women involved in artistic pursuits face a unique set of demands. A playwright, actor and mother of three, Coleen Hubbard shares her own blend of wisdom, support and advice with other women like herself-strong, supportive mothers who need to create to be true to themselves. You don't have to sacrifice your own artistic passions to be a good mother. In fact nurturing your artistic dreams can make you a better mommy-and set an inspiring example for your children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Coleen Hubbard is the mother of three school-age daughters and a successful author and playwright. She has published over a dozen books for children and young adults and seen her work produced on stages across the U.S.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (February 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399526625
• ISBN-13: 978-0399526626
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,150,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Exclusive Club, July 18, 2002

By 

Wendy Willis (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Purple Mommy: Nurturing Our Creative Work, Our Children, and Ourselves (Paperback)

Although Ms. Hubbard has some interesting insights about the challenges of being both a mother and a creative professional, I was repeatedly put off by her characterization of people engaged in "traditional professions" either as not creative or as trampling in her territority by suggesting that they might pursue a dream in a creative field. For example, in a self-described "rant," Ms. Hubbard complains about lawyers and doctors who have suggested to her that they might be interested in writing a novel or a screen play. Ms. Hubbard countered with a suggestion that she might as easily perform surgery or argue before the Supreme Court.

While on one hand Ms. Hubbard criticizes the "mommy wars" between stay-at-home mothers and mothers who work outside the home, she creates an equally deep chasm between those who she deems to be "creative mothers" and everyone else. I was hoping to find a book encouraging mothers to pursue their creative dreams, and instead I found an effort to keep interlopers out of her turf.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Any Mom, Especially Creative Ones, March 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Big Purple Mommy: Nurturing Our Creative Work, Our Children, and Ourselves (Paperback)

An amazingly honest and helpful book about mothers trying to be true to their own creative careers while also being fully committed to raising great kids. Although most helpful to women in the arts, it should be read by (or given to) any woman trying to balance nurturing themselves and their own work with nurturing their children. Great for book clubs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally.. .., March 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Big Purple Mommy: Nurturing Our Creative Work, Our Children, and Ourselves (Paperback)

This book is so refreshing. A must for woman who are both artists and mothers. Or woman who are not yet participating in their artistic side. Buy it for your artist friends that are pregnant so that when they give birth, they will have the perspective that you not only can, but must nurture that artistic part of yourself. This book not only affirms but provides helpful advice to the artists, writers, playwrites, acting teachers , who, now that they are a mother, should stop their 'nice creative hobbies" and be a mother. Ms Hubbard's Big Purple Mommy says in order to BE a great mother, you need to honor the whole of your artistic being.