Mama, I'll Give You the World - Softcover

Schotter, Roni

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0449811425 ISBN 13: 9780449811429

Publisher: Dragonfly Books, 2013

Synopsis

This magical story about the bond between a single, hardworking mother and daughter is sure to be a favorite of families everywhere!

For one magical night, Luisa wants to make her single mother's worries disappear.

Every day after school Luisa goes to Walter's World of Beauty to watch her mama work-- cutting, coloring, and curling customer's hair, transforming them into the images of their dreams. Mama works hard and hardly ever smiles, but when she does, she is the prettiest flower in all the World. At the end of each day, she puts her tip money in a special envelopes for Luisa-- the envelope marked "college." She wants to give her daughter the world-- but Luisa has plans of her own. It's Mama's birthday and, for one night, she wants to make Mama smile... the way she smiles in an old photograph of her dancing at a place called Roseland. So Luisa transforms Walter's World of Beauty into Roseland, by decorating it with roses and collages of Mama's customers, who are also in on Luisa's secret. And it isn't long before everyone is happily dancing, especially Mama, who is the happiest of all.

About this title

About the Author:

RONI SCHOTTER is the author of numerous books for children, including The Boy Who Loved Words, a Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Winner; Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street, an NCTE Notable Trade Book in the Language Arts; F Is for Freedom, recipient of the Washington Irving Award; Hanukkah!, winner of the National Jewish Book Award; Captain Bob Takes Flight; and Captain Bob Sets Sail. 

S. SAELIG GALLAGHER is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Moonhorse by Mary Pope Osborne; The Selfish Giant, a fairy tale written by Oscar Wilde; The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Phillip Pullman; and Blue Willow by Pam Conrad.

From School Library Journal:

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3–After school each afternoon, Luisas bus drops her at the door to the World. Walters World of Beauty that is, where her mother is a stylist, saving tips so she can give her daughter the world in the form of college funds. While the woman works, Luisa cuts and colors and curls delightful mixed-media portraits of the customers and plans a surprise birthday party for her beloved parent. A photo at mamas station, taken in the past, reveals a joyful, dancing couple in a place mama calls Roseland. It is this mood and setting that Luisa yearns to re-create as she exchanges secret messages with the clientele. Schotters nimble use of alliteration and words with multiple meanings adds depth and richness to the text. The characters are quirky and distinctive, captured in all their glory by Gallaghers dynamic oils. Mama, a life-giving force, is clad in a warm green dress, framed by plants. The cool twilight hues bathing the city streets contrast with the golden glow of the after-hours salon party, where hopeful anticipation yields to an appreciative maternal clasp–and dancing ensues. Matter-of-fact about the realities of life with and as a single parent, while mindful of the benefits of participating in a larger community, this tale of a hardworking mother and a thoughtful daughter brings to mind the family in Vera B. Williamss A Chair for My Mother (HarperCollins, 1982). These are scenes to savor, snuggled closely one-on-one, or shared with a group.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
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About this edition

• Publisher: Dragonfly Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0449811425
• ISBN 13: 9780449811429
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Gallagher S. Saelig