Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
on Goodreads (780)
What’s inside...
A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent. For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea…but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the little girl feels when her mommy is away and how does she express her feelings?
What are some ways that Mama tries to make the time special when Mommy is away?
Can you think of a time when you missed someone? What did you do to feel better?
How does the story show that love and care can be shown in different ways?
What did you learn about different types of families from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about separation or missing someone, linking it to the little girl’s experience in the book.
Discuss the various family dynamics shown in the book and relate them to real-life examples that the child might be familiar with.
Use the book as a tool to discuss and normalize the diversity of family structures, stressing the underlying theme of love and support.
Ask your child to draw a picture of a special moment they had with a family member, similar to the moments shared between the girl and her Mama in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Family Dynamics
Explanation: The story portrays a child experiencing life with her two mothers, highlighting the various forms of loving family structures.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and respect different family configurations among their peers, fostering inclusivity and empathy.
Example Lesson: Coping with Separation
Explanation: The narrative centers on the child feeling the gap when one parent is away, depicting methods to handle feelings of absence and longing.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop strategies for dealing with emotions when separated from loved ones, such as keeping mementos or staying in touch through calls.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: The book encourages the child to openly express her feelings about her mommy's absence, which is crucial for emotional development.
Real-World Application: Children learn to communicate their emotions clearly and healthily, aiding their emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of Supportive Relationships
Explanation: The story highlights how the support of Mama helps the child navigate her feelings, underscoring the importance of supportive relationships in emotional health.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to seek support from trusted individuals during emotionally challenging times, reinforcing the notion of community and support networks.