No Time for Mother's Day [Paperback]

Laurie Halse Anderson (Author), Dorothy Donohue (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

With only two days left until Mother's Day, Charity is at a loss concerning the perfect gift for her mom. But after rising Saturday morning and watching her mother go top speed all day, Charity realizes that what her mother needs is an extra set of hands and an extra set of legs. As Charity lies awake counting the minutes that night, an idea comes to mind--the perfect gift for a busy mom! Full color. Age 5-8.

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

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A pleasant offering for that special day. Charity is worried. There are only two days left until Mother's Day, and she can't decide on a present. Suddenly, it's Saturday, and things around the Chatfield house are hectic and noisy. Telephones are ringing, faxed messages are arriving, the dishwasher is noisy, timers are beeping, and Mom has dozens of errands to run. Worst of all, Charity's super-organized cousin has his gift selections all planned. However, in a moment of inspiration late that night, Charity devises the perfect gift for her mother: a day of peace and quiet, all to herself. The illustrations, done in ink and bright watercolors, have a light touch of humor, especially in the characters' expressions. A good companion to Jill Murphy's Five Minutes Peace (Magi, 1995), another humorous view of a mother in search of silence.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A refreshing story about Mother's Day features a terrifically thoughtful girl who comes up with just the right present. Charity, who is probably in first grade, hears from her teacher that there are two days until Mother's Day. She starts thinking about a gift, dismissing silly suggestions. The next day, she views her multi-tasking mother handling toast, dishwasher, phone, and microwave, maintaining a harried, frantic pace. Anxiety keeps Charity awake Saturday night till she thinks of the perfect gift. She unplugs the clocks and turns off ``everything that beeps or bleeps or buzzes.'' The clever and homey text is illustrated with comic scenes that exaggerate the mother's busy life withoutfor most householdsmaking it absurd. Charity's care in coming up with a present is subtly conveyed, making the lesson far more powerful. (Picture book. 5-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807549568
• ISBN-13: 978-0807549568
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,909,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Idea, May 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: No Time for Mother's Day (Paperback)

This is a good story about a thoughtful and clever girl. All mothers could use the unusual and creative gift Charity thinks of. Perhaps this book will give your own kids some ideas.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silence is Golden, June 27, 2010

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: No Time for Mother's Day (Paperback)

"You know I'd give you anything I've got for a little peace of mind." -- John Lennon, from "I'm So Tired," 1968

Charity, a pre-tween (under age 8) is desperately trying to think of a good Mother's Day gift. With just two days to spare, she is struck by inspiration - her noisy, chaotic home is just the source of her great idea. Charity will give her mother a day of total peace and quiet, a gift that is much appreciated.

A wonderful book about giving a real gift that keeps on giving. No doubt this book will inspire children to think up their own good gift ideas, based on their individual mothers and their individual needs.

The Critters' 1967 "Silence is Golden" is the soundtrack of this story.