Jonathan and His Mommy [Paperback]

Irene Smalls (Author), Michael Hays (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

As a mother and son explore their neighborhood, they try various ways of walking--from giant steps and reggae steps to criss cross steps and backwards steps.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Far be it from this African American youngster and his mother to saunter down the street just any old way. They first "zig-zag walk"and then take "big giant steps and talk in loud giant voices"; sometimes they glide along in "slow-motion steps," discussing "molasses and birthdays and how long they take." This playful ritual shows a tender, affectionate mother-son relationship, made all the more fun by the parent's willingness to join in this original perambulation. Hays's ( Abiyoyo ) soft pastels capture the sights and feeling of urban life as the two pass stores, a park's fountain and graffiti-covered walls, pausing to dance by a building stoop. Smalls-Hector's ( Irene and the Big, Fine Nickel ) lively, melodious language gives a joyful sense of this shared experience; particularly inventive is the manner in which the protagonists' conversational gambits match their gait of the moment. Mothers and offspring alike will delight in the final picture, as down the street these characters meander, appropriately taking "Jonathan-and-Mommy steps" toward home. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- A young black child and his mother take a walk around their urban neighborhood, turning the trip into a game as they go. Zigzagging, giant-stepping, hip-hopping, racing, and then in slow motion, they wander through the streets and parks. Ballet, crazy crisscross, and reggae finally give way to backward steps to the places they've been until, tired and happy, they take ``Jonathan-and-Mommy steps'' all the way home. The blank-verse text with repetition and rich imagery beautifully creates the sound and rhythm of the commonplace experience. Soft-toned double-page spreads portray an urban panorama that is at once realistic, nonthreatening, and filled with the movement of the imaginative play. The gray cityscape is softened with muted blues, brick reds, and variegated greens, all reflected in the woman's patterned dress and the chalk rainbow drawn by children in the street. The bond between mother and child is evident on every page, making this a great book for one-on-one sharing; the generous visual scope and delightful cadence also make it a wonderful group read-aloud.
- Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316798800
• ISBN-13: 978-0316798808
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Where We Live > City Life
  • #73 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > City Life

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars loving mother - son bond, January 11, 2002

By 

"pocah" (Marietta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jonathan and His Mommy (Paperback)

If you are looking for a delightful book that shows a loving relationship between a little boy and his mom, you've found it. In this book, you spend a day with Jonathan and his mom as they take a stroll. While they walk through the city, they play games, sing, act silly and just have a great time with one another. The illustration is done in a muted watercolor and not very bold but still quite colorful. Overall, with few lines to a page it makes a nice read for any bedtime story packed with a dose of love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a simple, sweet narrative, August 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jonathan and His Mommy (Paperback)

This book is delightful. Spend the day walking through thecity with Jonathan and his mommy as Irene Smalls creatively explores the bond between a mother and son.

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers LOVE this book!, July 18, 2009

By 

Dawkevjon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jonathan and His Mommy (Paperback)

I, Gwyn R. C. Moses, would like to share how much the preschoolers I work with enjoy Jonathan and His Mommy
read aloud. I extended the story by having them mimic the steps using sidewalk chalk, created language experience books, and so important have given the 3-4 year olds an opportunity to explore writing by drawing the strokes to represent the steps taken. The products from the read alouds have been awesome.

[...]