Mama's Perfect Present (Picture Books) [Paperback]

Diane Goode (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Picture Books

Finding the perfect birthday present for Mama is no easy task, even in a city as tempting as Paris. Come along as two picky shoppers and one darling dog zip from flower stall to fashion salon to patisserie, wreaking havoc at every turn. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Two sisters take their affable dachshund Zaza on a Paris shopping spree in search of the perfect birthday gift for their mama. Zaza cavorts behind the girls, creating disorder at every turn as they wander through a bakery, a flower shop, and a shoe store. Finally they decide on a gift mama is sure to like--something homemade. (Ages 5 to 9) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

PW's starred review said that this companion to Where's Our Mama?, about two Parisian children and their chaos-causing dachshund, "will leave young readers chuckling and everyone else clucking an appreciative ooh-la-la." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140565493
• ISBN-13: 978-0140565492
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,045,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Goode was born in Brooklyn, New York into a French and Italian family. She has a BA in Fine Arts from Queens College. She studied at Les Beaux Arts in Aix-en-Provence, has a High School teaching degree from NYC and taught book illustration at UCLA.

Diane Goode's list of picture 50 picture books include, 'When I Was Young In The Mountains', for which she won the Caldecott Honor. She is also the recipient of numerous awards including two Platinum Oppenheim Toy Awards, and Parents' Choice Awards.

Her most recent publications are: CINDERELLA SMITH, by Stephanie Barden, LOUISE THE BIG CHEESE series, by Elise Primavera and MY MOM IS TRYING TO RUIN MY LIFE and BUT I WANTED A BABY BROTHER, both by Kate Feiffer (A Paula wiseman Book, Simon& Schuster) 2008.

A member of the Society of Illustrators, she chaired the 2007 Original Art Show in Manhattan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an adventure!, September 3, 2000

By 

Shannon Ross (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mama's Perfect Present (Picture Books) (Paperback)

Two children and their dog set out to find THE perfect present for their mother. As we all know, finding the perfect present for a friend or relative can be quite an ordeal. The children visit many stores and find several lovely items that aren't quite what they want. Still, they search onward and we find out that the children have, in fact, found the perfect present for their mama.

This book's illustrations are fabulous. They are cheerful and soft looking. The children have such simple, yet sweet expressions. And, one of my favorite parts of this book is the spoof of George Seraut's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte."

What a charming and delightful read! I also thoroughly enjoyed Where's our Mother? by Diane Goode.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the usual superb Diane Goode work!, August 4, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mama's Perfect Present (Library Binding)

I am a sucker for Diane Goode's books, and "Mama's Perfect Present" is no exception. A young Parisian brother and sister set out to make their mama's birthday absolutely perfect, but run into bits of trouble along the way. When they finally show up at home with their gift, it turns out to incorporate all the trouble they ran into in putting it together--but in a most charming and unusual way. I don't want to say anything more detailed or I'll give it away!

Not only is the story charming (with all loose strings nicely tied up by the end), but the illustrations are up to Goode's usual high standards. The coloring is soft and washed-looking. The story is set in perhaps the 1920s or 1930s in Paris, with all the women having sleek, marcelled hair, fur stoles, and ghillie shoes--and the men sporting dapper moustaches, trim suits, and perfectly manicured hands. It's a visual treat to watch the children bounce from store to store, taking in all the undeniably French atmosphere, made vivid and real-yet-idealized through Goode's luscious pictures.