Mama, Coming and Going

When Jenna's little brother was born, funny things started happening to her mother. Mama remembered some things, but forgot a lot of others! For example, she remembered to read to Jenna, but she forgot to defrost the chicken for dinner ("so they had pizza instead."). When Mama draws water for Jenna's bath, she forgets about the water when the doorbell rings and Jenna's little brother brother, Mickey, spits up. Mama also remembers to get groceries, but forgets to close the trunk and one time even accidently locks Mickey in the car! (a friendly neighbor comes to the rescue with a coat hanger).For any older sibling who has a newborn addition to the family, things like this are common even among the most organized parents. What can be confusing to the older sib is what exactly is going on? Why is Mama suddenly getting forgetful? While the book doesn't exactly answer this question, it does tell us that everything will work out in the end and Mamas are good at improvising (when Jenna, Mickey and her Mama go to a birthday party a week early, Mama looks ready to cry but instead they go by a bakery and have a cupcake instead). I love this story, especially now that our second child has entered our lives and our older child is wondering why the adults are not only always tired, but why we do things like stick the cereal in the refrigerator and the milk in the cupboard, and why I've gone to work in mismatched socks on more than one occasion. As families, somehow we manage to muddle through all the little trials and tribulations and try to make the best of even the most frustrating situations (when the bathroom floor floods, "Jenna went wading in her rainboots.").The text of "Mama..." is easy to read and understand, so young children with new sibs can easily understand these funny situations. The illustrations are soft and colorful (watercolors, I think), and they clearly convey a sense of belonging and family among the characters, even when minor disasters strike like flooded floors, open car trunks and too-early arrivals to birthday parties. The book also shows us that minor setbacks and frustrations are simply a part of being in a family, and instead of complaining about it, what can we do to make the situation better? (Jenna entertains Mickey in the back seat while Mr. Carbone jimmies the door lock). For the delightful illustrations, for the ease of text and for demonstrating that everyday frustrations are part of life, I highly recommend this book to parents and families of all kinds!

This is a wonderful look at the forgetfulness and distractions of a new mother of 2.

This is one of those great books that will entertain children (especially older siblings with new babies in the house) as well as making mom laugh out loud. The illustrations are great, and the story is right on target. I especially love the warm relationship that is shown between Mama and Jenna. This is one of my favorite all-time books. It would be a perfect present for a family who just had their second baby. (Check out Judith Caseley's other books too...they're all wonderful).