When Mama Comes Home Tonight [Paperback]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Jane Dyer (Illustrator)

Book Description

"When Mama comes home from work, dear child,
when Mama comes home tonight
she'll cover you with kisses,
she'll hug you sweet and tight."

As evening falls and Mama gets home from work, the special rituals that a mother and child share are gently evoked in soothing rhymes and glorious pastel paintings. For any parent who comes home at night to a waiting child, When Mama Comes Home Tonight is the perfect book to read together.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The remains of the day are softly romanticized in this gentle lullaby book about a mother and child reunion. "When Mama comes home from work, dear child, when Mama comes home tonight, she'll say, 'Let's put your blocks away--the red, the green, the white.' She'll fix herself a cup of tea, and let you have a sip. She'll mend your blue pajamas and her own pink satin slip." The real-life weekday evenings of a working mother and her child may not be as rosy and calm; in this lovely interlude there's also time for pat-a-cake, stargazing, and plenty of rocking chair cuddles. But like a simple prayer, Eileen Spinelli's rhyming verse and Mem Fox's (Time for Bed) creamy pastel illustrations praise this everlasting mother-child connection and offer hope for the peaceful nights and soothing images we long for. (Click to see a sample spread. From When Mama Comes Home Tonight, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Text ©1998 by Eileen Spinelli. Illustrations ©1998 by Jane Dyer.) (Baby to preschool) --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Mother returns from her job to spend an evening of play and bath time with a sleepy toddler. "The book works marvelously as a soporific, and will reassure anxiously waiting children as well as the parents who dash home to put them to bed," said PW. Ages 1-5. (Apr.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689848978
• ISBN-13: 978-0689848971
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,807,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite read-aloud book!, August 16, 2002

By 

Jen (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Mama Comes Home Tonight (Paperback)

I think I love it even more than my children do (and, like one reader said, it makes me weepy, too). I don't do everything this Mama does when she gets home, but I love that she's shown doing a chore (mending) as well as playing with her child. I especially love that we see them at night--relatively, I spend so few daylight hours with my kids. This book is more reflective of our life than most of the books we read. And it's just so sweet--a comfy-cozy good read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every working mother should buy this book, July 9, 2004

By 

Yvette Lyons (WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Mama Comes Home Tonight (Hardcover)

This is my absolute favorite book to read to my son and daughter. Until recently I worked full time and went to school 3/4 time. During the work week I got home at 8:00 at night and had an hour to spend with my 3 and 5 year old. We would read most of the time and they asked for this book every night. My son in particular is a mommy's boy and he really missed seeing me everyday. He could relate to the special things you get to do when "mama" comes home. This book is pretty short, and simple. The illustrations are beautiful. This book also makes a great baby shower gift. I give it 5+ stars!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even a stay at home mom can enjoy this literature pick!, January 7, 2000

By 

Shelli Thelen "Mac's Mom" (Columbia, Mo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Mama Comes Home Tonight (Hardcover)

When Mama Comes Home Tonight may retell a day's events for working moms but the message is not exclusive to working women's children. This is a fantastic book because of its literary gift to children. The rhythmic, repetitive text encourages even young toddlers to chime in. I am a huge fan of illustrator Jane Dyer, who's illustrations contribute to the calming mood of the story. This book is a winner FOR ALL FAMILIES OF ALL MAKE UPS AND OCCUPATIONS. (It is a book that children of working parents can greatly relate to as well!) It is definitely a book that will be reread each night since it's message rings true to all children-- a parent's love and time is inmeasurable.