Two Mrs. Gibsons [Library Binding]

Toyomi Igus (Author), Daryl Wells (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up

A young girl pays tribute to the two most important women in her life--her Japanese mother and her African-American grandmother--in a heartwarming story about growing up in a family of mixed race.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A narrator describes her life growing up with her African American grandmother and Japanese mother. She contrasts the women's habits, attitudes, and personalities, and the activities she shares with each. The story is a loving mood piece, telling of strength through difference as together mother and grandmother provide a loving and nurturing environment. Igus's simple, affecting prose speaks directly to the heart and is well matched by Wells's warm, lush paintings. An aura of the suburban America of a few decades ago pervades these folksy illustrations, mirroring the text in both tone and detail. Multicultural in the best and most basic meaning of that much-abused term, Two Mrs. Gibsons will be prized for independent reading and group sharing.?John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. There are two Mrs. Gibsons in this young girl's life, and she remembers both of them lovingly. The older Mrs. Gibson has skin the color of chocolate, big hands, and a big voice, and she gives big, fat hugs. The younger Mrs. Gibson has skin the color of vanilla, writes Japanese, and cooks the family food from her homeland. It is not until the end of the book that readers discover that the first Mrs. Gibson is the girl's grandmother, while the second is her mother. This probably will be a surprise to those too young to figure out the relationship, but even without that pertinent bit of information, children should enjoy getting to know these women. The story does get repetitious at times; however, sturdy, detail-filled paintings will help hold attention. An author's note tells readers that this is Igus' personal story. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Childrens Book Pr (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892391359
• ISBN-13: 978-0892391356
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,166,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE COLORS OF LOVE, July 11, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Two Mrs. Gibsons (Paperback)

Toyomi Gibson writes about the two most important and influential Mesdames Gibsons in her life. One is her mother who is Japanese and the other is her paternal grandmother who is black. She draws beautiful contrasts and cultural bonds between the two women; for example she describes the Japanese dinners her mother makes and the soul southern cooking she enjoys when she eats with her grandmother. Her mother is delicate and petite; her grandmother is husky and stout. Her mother is known for her quiet anger whereas her grandmother has a booming voice that she also uses for singing in church.

Both women encourage the young Toyomi to explore her rich ancestry; her mother has kimonos tied with obi sashes for her to play dress up in and her grandmother has a wide collection of hats she wears to church.

Although the two women look nothing alike and have contrasting expressions, they both love Toyomi and her father. My Two Grannies is a good companion book to this one. This book also features a child who is biracial and her two grandmothers who love her very much.

I can't recommend this one highly enough.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Mrs. Gibson's, February 28, 2000

By 

Susan C Lulu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Mrs. Gibsons (Library Binding)

This is a fabulous book that explores the differences within a multi-cultural, multi-racial family (African American & Japanese American). Written from a child's perspective, this book focuses on the cultural and physical differences within a family while emphasizing the love the family members share. A positive book that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every preschool and elementary school where educators are concerned about the healthy development of bicultural children.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT!, April 17, 2000

By 

"hapachan" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Mrs. Gibsons (Library Binding)

I am a biracial adult as well -mixed with Japanese and white American. I have been searching for biracial childrens' books for a long time. This is by far the BEST one I have found! Great story, great illustrations! I love it!