Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons (Library Binding)

~ (Author), Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. A sure-fire hit for Mother's Day, this elegantly designed book pairs a series of poems with stunning illustrations to celebrate the bond between mothers and sons. Identical in structure, each beginning with Mama says, the poems appear in English as well as another language (among these are Cherokee, Danish, Hebrew and Inuktitut). The verses are prosaic (Mama says/ To be on time/ Mama says/ Be neat/ Mama says/ To walk with pride/ And never drag my feet)—but only until the Caldecott Medal–winning Dillons create a greater context for them; in this case, they picture an African-American mother solemnly looking on as her son, carrying schoolbooks, stoically walks past angry white protestors. The illustrations, two per poem, are well-researched and lavish, showing mothers in traditional dress lovingly engaged with their sons. A visual notation connects each entry with a glossary of languages in the back. Even with the inclusion of very general religious precepts, the Dillons' breathtaking paintings and the quiet dignity of the poems merit a wide audience. All ages. (Apr.)
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From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4—Twelve different cultures are represented in this visually stunning, slightly oversize offering. For each one, a short poem stating wisdom or advice that a mother might offer a son is presented on the verso, along with a painting in a circular frame. The effect of the frame is to give readers the feeling that they are peeking in at a private moment between parent and child. The recto has a full-page illustration of the son acting on the advice. The poems are simple and direct and address everything from being honest to sharing and appreciating nature. Some have distinctly religious messages: "Mama says/Have faith/Mama says/Believe/Mama says/To trust in God/And let God take the lead." All of the poems are also presented in the language of the culture addressed, including Cherokee, Hindi, and Danish. The afterword details the specific sources used to obtain accurate translations. The artwork is nothing short of brilliant. Elegantly composed pictures not only capture and enhance the meaning of the poem they accompany, but also depict the various cultures with remarkable attention to detail. This is a lovely and important addition for most collections.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Library Binding edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439932084
• ISBN-13: 978-0439932080
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended for ages preschool through second grade (3-8), June 17, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

"Mama Says" is a beautiful children's book of inspiring thoughts spoken from mothers to sons in twelve different languages and cultural settings. "Mama Says" is beautifully illustrated by award-winning artists Leo and Diane Dillon, with a small square of fabric as a symbol for each mother of each nationality on the lower left side of each page of sayings. In addition to the beautiful colorful illustrations of twelve different cultural backgrounds, each saying is also flawlessly presented in the appropriate language of the culture, alongside the English version. Thus we have not only a picture of another culture's background and traditions, we also get to see its actual script and written language. The languages and cultures presented include Cherokee, Russian, Amharic, Japanese, Hindi, Inuktitut, Hebrew, English, Korean, Arabic, Quechua, and Danish. Further enhancing the racial and cultural diversity, the English example shows a handsome young black boy with his mother, walking carrying books against a background of signshakers reading "hate." The English saying is "Mama says/To be on time/ Mama says/ Be neat/ Mama says/ To walk with pride/ And never drag my feet (p. 20)." The final two page illustration shows all twelve boys together, grown up, with hands on each others' shoulders. The saying is "I listened to what Mama said/ And now I am a man (p.29-30)." "Mama Says" is a children's book so compellingly moving and beautiful that it made me weep. Teaching children the strong underlying message of respect and honor for our diversity is stunningly accomplished in "Mama Says." Strongly recommended for ages preschool through second grade (3-8).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is exquisite., April 8, 2009

By	Ruth (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This book was given to me as a gift. I absolutely love it. Settings, animals, fabrics, and the faces of the people are rendered brilliantly. The portraits of families span history and the globe -- highlighting both gorgeous unique specifics (including text of various languages) and the universality of human beings, simultaneously.

I'm already listing the moms I want to give this book to this mother's day. To the woman who gave it to me, on the chance you may be reading this, thank you. I love you, friend.

To the moms of early readers ... the text is spot on for reading together with your sons and daughters.

p.s. - To the reviewer who said that any mom would be moved to a tear at the end, I completely agree. I'm not a mother and I enjoyed several tears at the end. . . . that image of all those beautiful young men is so inspiring.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We just love this book., March 24, 2009

By	Lisa M. Lindsay (Maine) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In addition to a great gift for a mom, it would also be a great book to a son, even a grown one. My five year-old loves this book, which our wonderful librarian recommended. Very simple and beautiful, we highly recommend it. I need to buy a copy now as we reluctantly return it to the library.