Mama’s Day
Written by Linda Ashman, Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
Simon & Schuster, 2006. 978-0689834752
Reviews:
“[A] lovely reverie on the joys of being alive and being loved.” —Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“Ashman rhymes in an effortless way; the pencil-and-wash pictures are in Ormerod’s rosy crystalline style; and it’s hard to have too many mama books so long as they are as good as this one.” —Kirkus
“In this valentine to mamas, Ashman’s skillful verse and Ormerod’s cozy ink-and-gouache artwork improve upon many other picture-book fulminations on mother love.” —Booklist
“A lovely book, full of diversity and fun things to study and talk about.” —News Tribune
About this Story
Somewhere there’s a mama
Lifting baby from a crib,
Snapping rompers, looping laces,
Brushing crumbs from baby’s bib.
Somewhere there’s a mama
Holding baby in her lap,
Playing games and making music,
Teaching baby how to clap.
There’s a mama by the ocean,
Holding tight to baby’s hand,
Chasing waves and watching seagulls,
Finding seashells in the sand.
Oh, the journey this book had to publication! Way back in 1998, my editor at Simon & Schuster, Stephanie Owens Lurie (now President of Dutton), asked if I’d like to try writing a Mother’s Day book. As a new mom, overwhelmed with love for baby Jackson (and overwhelmed with lots of other things as well), I was eager to make the attempt.
Stephanie bought the story — and two editors, three illustrators and eight years (!) later, the book is finally out. Jan Ormerod and I had some busy email exchanges from London to Denver as the book approached its printing deadline, and I came to admire and appreciate her talent, professionalism and dry wit. And I love all her adorable babies!