Customer Reviews

What Will Mommy Do When I'm at School?

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This is perhaps one of the saddest picture books I've seen in a while. It's the story of a little girl whose childhood is about to end with the beginning of formal schooling. Based on the idea of how lonely the little girl's mother will be when her child begins school, the book shows all the wonderful cuddly things that they won't be doing together anymore, such as baking muffins together, singing songs, reading picture books, having afternoon tea time, and walking to the park. I suppose a great subtitle would be "The end of childhood and a close relationship with mom." I suppose this book did have a good effect on my children--They are more thankful to be homeschooled children after seeing how much this little girl and her mother had to give up!

This book sensitively works through a young girl's fears about parting from her mother to go to school. The girl turns her own feelings into concern for her mother, wondering "how will my MOTHER manage if I leave her here alone?" Not only is this a clever approach in book form - it is a way of looking at challenges that makes real children relax tremendously and get in touch with their own strength. I know because I have worked with young children for many years, and turning issues around like that often gives them a new & empowering perspective, which they love. I don't think this book is depressing at all, by the way. Along with lovely paintings, there is the heartfelt love of a daughter for her home & her mother, and also an authentic resolution of a child's fears.

This is a heart warming story, that many parents have to face when sending your child to school for the first time. The pictures are beautiful!

Enjoy!