Tell Me a Story, Mama [School & Library Binding]

Angela Johnson (Author), David Soman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"A mother and a preschool-aged daughter talk together as the child is being prepared for bed...Mama's childhood memories, as related by her daughter, are warm slices of life from a previous generation...Both language and art are full of subtle wit and rich emotion." - School Library Journal, starred review

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mama's memories of her own childhood have been told to her daughter so many times that the girl has made them her own bedtime litany; she tells her mother the stories and her mother reassures her that she has the story right. About the story of a neighborhood woman who used to scare Mama (as a girl) and her sister, the daughter says, "She was so mean that she used to holler out her window at you and Aunt Jessie when you passed her house every morning. You weren't afraid of her, though." " No sir, I was not, " is Mama's firm answer. The girl is curious about the love between generations: "Did Grandmama squeeze you tight when you were her little girl, like she does me?" " Uh-huh. " "You were lucky, too, Mama." " Yes, I was. " Johnson captures perfectly the way children make stories they love their own. Soman's lively, warm watercolors alternate between the bedtime rituals of the girl and her mother, and the loving vignettes from "Mama's" childhood. Parents and children who share this book may wish to begin their own brand of family storytelling. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- In this touching picture book, a mother and preschool-aged daughter talk together as the child is being prepared for bed. "Tell me a story, Mama, about when you were little," begs the child, and proceeds to tell all the stories herself, her headlong narrative punctuated by maternal commentary--sometimes expansion on the events related; sometimes reassuring answers to the questions that the stories inspire. Mama's childhood memories, as related by her daughter, are warm slices of life from a previous generation: a triumph over a mean neighbor, punished but understood by Grandmama; finding a puppy and being allowed to keep it; journeys away from home. The text consists solely of the dialogue between mother and daughter, which allows the stories and their reassuring lessons to flow naturally into one another while preserving their essence: not their specific incidents, but the love and caring that the memories convey, feelings which lend strength when difficult times and separations occur. Soman's vivid, lively watercolors capture the essence of the mood and message as they deftly portray the quotidian portraits of two generations of a black family. Both language and art are full of subtle wit and rich emotion, resulting in a beautifully realized evocation of treasured childhood and family moments. --Christine Behrmann, New York Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tandem Library (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833592106
• ISBN-13: 978-0833592101
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,425,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Story -- a review of "Tell Me A Story, Mama", February 13, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tell Me A Story Mama (Paperback)

This is a nice story about a mother and daughter and their special conversation time at night. The little girl begins with a request from her mom to tell her stories from her own childhood, but she knows them so well that she ends up telling her mama about them; only pausing to gain further insight into the way things were, and that she has the stories right.

I am using this book with my children as an way of segmenting into a discussion of our days, and about any questions they may have about life in general, or my or their dad's life as children. [Children seem to forget we were young once too.]

The book covers some interesting instances, such as when mama (as a child) had to apologize to the mean neighbor lady after she threw mud on her fence. It also discusses the fact that grandmother isn't going to be with them forever. Mama says:

"She won't be here forever, baby

but long enough for you never to forget

how much she loves you.

Four Stars. Sweet artwork. Good read-aloud.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tell me a story, Mama, February 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Tell Me A Story Mama (Paperback)

My daughter is still a little too young to read the book, but she LOVES the pictures. This is a very well illustrated book. The story reminds me of times in my childhood when I would ask my mother to tell me stories of when she was little. My nieces and nephew (5 years old and 8 years old), can relate very well to the book. They giggle and laugh at things the main character says, because they can relate to it. This book is a family "keeper!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book, February 20, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Tell Me A Story Mama (Hardcover)

I like this book because it is a good story. Ms. Johnson did a nice job. I liked the part where the little girl threw mud on the picket fence. The old lady was mean.

You need to read this book and find out all the stories Mama told.