Books show mom's love
The dictionary defines "mother" as one who either gives birth to or cares and protects like a mother. Not all who mother are biological mothers.
Sometimes single fathers must play the role of mother as well as father.
We may find a grandmother, aunt or other caring female in the role of mothering a child who is not their direct offspring. There are stepmothers, foster mothers and mothers who've adopted their children.
Successful mothering is no simple task. Mothers must wear lots of different hats while they protect, love, teach and care for their young. Mothers also know the importance of allowing their children the freedom to explore on their own, to make their own choices, both good and bad, while gently nudging their children out of the nest toward independence and self-sufficiency.
There is no job that has greater challenges or greater rewards than that of a mother. Our children will be off on their own sooner than we think.
How we raise them will make all the difference. Happy Mother's Day!
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Heart of Mine: A Story of Adoption"</B> by Dan and Lotta Hojer; illustrated in color by Lotta Hojer; R & S Books; 28 pages; read aloud: age 3 to 4 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Once there was a baby girl who grew inside her mommy's tummy. When she was born, her mommy and daddy wanted to take care of her, but they couldn't. They knew they needed to find a new family for her.Far across the world, there was another mommy and daddy who longed for a child to take care of and love, and they waited to become a family.Thoughts of their child grew, not in the mommy's tummy, but in the mommy and daddy's minds and hearts. Then at last, the phone call they had waited for arrived. Their little girl had been born in a land far away, and they were to come and get her as quickly as possible.They cried and laughed and shouted for joy! All the mommy and daddy could think about was their little girl, and they hurried to prepare for her, worried about her, and longed to hold her in their arms and bring her home. Not long thereafter, that's exactly what they did.Beautiful<B></B> in every way, this is far more than a story about adoption; it is a powerful story of love.
<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy Kline<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"</B> by Bill Martin Jr.; <B>"Olivia"</B> by Ian Falconer; <B>"The Kite Fighters" </B>by Linda Sue Park
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Mama's Day"</B> by Linda Ashman; illustrated by Jan Ormerod; Simon & Schuster, 2006; 32 pages; $15.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 to 4; read yourself: age 7.This delightful book is a love song and celebration of the special bond between mamas and babies. Written in rhyme, Ashman and Ormerod provide a gentle and loving look at the many things mamas do with their babies.From playing games, finding seashells in the sand, teaching baby how to clap, sharing a snack and soothing baby's tired cries, these and other everyday scenarios are beautifully rendered."There are mamas near and distant doing just what mamas do: Loving babies every minute, every day ... like I love you."<B>"A Mother's Wish"</B> by Kathy-Jo Wargin; illustrated by Irena Roman; HarperCollins, 2006; 32 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Young Ella asks her mother if she will always be her mother. Her mother assures her that she will, no matter how old Ella is. Ella then makes a wish on a butterfly that her mother will hold her every day and never go away. Many years later, Ella is old enough to leave home, and she shares her childhood wish with her mother. To Ella's surprise, her mother had made a special wish for her, too.Outstanding in every way, this book is filled with joy and hope and the abundant love between a mother and daughter.
