Recently a reader wrote and expressed a wonderful sentiment about what it means to be a parent.

"If people would consider parenting a career and the most important and most demanding job in this world, instead of the annoying phrase 'stay at home mom,' maybe people would have more respect for the position," - M. Stephenson.

How very true that is. Good parenting takes a lot of time, patience, love, energy, and the ability to wear many hats at one time. It isn't an easy job, but taken seriously, is one of the most rewarding.

In salute of Mother's Day, today's reviewed books focus on mothers and their children. Reading these and other books together is a wonderful and valuable way to spend time with a child.

The reviewed books and those recommended by your librarian in "Librarian's Choice" will help you get started.

Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere. It is your influence that directly corresponds to the adult your child will become one day, and ultimately, what our world will become.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"I Want to Say I Love You"</B> by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers, Phyllis Fogelman Books, 32 pages; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.This is perhaps one of the finest books you'll ever read on the love between a mother and her child.Through spare, beautiful text and loving illustrations, the mother explains how very much the child is loved. It is the everyday things that she speaks of — singing together, listening to the things her child has to say, holding her child at the end of the day as they read a bedtime story.Full of warmth, honesty, and the joy that unconditional love brings, this book is simply perfect.

<B>Library:</B> Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City<B>Library Director:</B> Judith Pfeifer<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Patricia Pflug<B>Choices this week: "Up, Down, and Around"</B> by Katherine Ayres; <B>"Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake"</B> by Eileen Christelow; <B>"Peter and the Starcatchers"</B> by Dave Barry

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons" </B>by Robert D. Walker, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon, Blue Sky Press, 2009, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 to 12; read yourself: age 7 to 12.Through 12 simple, powerful verses, "Mama Says" imparts the wisdom a mother gives to her son to help guide him through life.Each verse depicts a different culture and is written in both English and the language of origin.Ultimately, this beautiful book describes what mothers around the world strive to teach their sons — compassion, courage, patience, faith, and a respect for the natural world, other people, and oneself.Wise words combine with glorious illustrations, making "Mama Says" a book of deep love and great wisdom.<B>"Mommy, Where are You?"</B> written and illustrated by Leonid Gore, Atheneum, 2009, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 to 7; read yourself: age 7.One morning when Ozzy woke up, his mommy wasn't there. He called to her, but she didn't respond. Ozzy decided to go look for his mommy, but each time he thought he saw her, it wasn't his mommy. Where could she be?Children will identify with the concern of being lost from their mommy, and this book provides a light-hearted approach to that very situation.With interactive flaps to lift and funny characters that Ozzy mistakes for his mommy, children will giggle throughout and simultaneously experience a sense of relief when Ozzy finally finds his mommy where she had been all along — getting breakfast ready!<B><I>Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.</I></B>