When Jenna's little brother was born, funny things started happening to her mother. Mama remembered some things, but forgot a lot of others! For example, she remembered to read to Jenna, but she forgot to defrost the chicken for dinner ("so they had pizza instead."). When Mama draws water for Jenna's bath, she forgets about the water when the doorbell rings and Jenna's little brother brother, Mickey, spits up. Mama also remembers to get groceries, but forgets to close the trunk and one time even accidently locks Mickey in the car! (a friendly neighbor comes to the rescue with a coat hanger).

For any older sibling who has a newborn addition to the family, things like this are common even among the most organized parents. What can be confusing to the older sib is what exactly is going on? Why is Mama suddenly getting forgetful? While the book doesn't exactly answer this question, it does tell us that everything will work out in the end and Mamas are good at improvising (when Jenna, Mickey and her Mama go to a birthday party a week early, Mama looks ready to cry but instead they go by a bakery and have a cupcake instead).

I love this story, especially now that our second child has entered our lives and our older child is wondering why the adults are not only always tired, but why we do things like stick the cereal in the refrigerator and the milk in the cupboard, and why I've gone to work in mismatched socks on more than one occasion. As families, somehow we manage to muddle through all the little trials and tribulations and try to make the best of even the most frustrating situations (when the bathroom floor floods, "Jenna went wading in her rainboots.").

The text of "Mama..." is easy to read and understand, so young children with new sibs can easily understand these funny situations. The illustrations are soft and colorful (watercolors, I think), and they clearly convey a sense of belonging and family among the characters, even when minor disasters strike like flooded floors, open car trunks and too-early arrivals to birthday parties. The book also shows us that minor setbacks and frustrations are simply a part of being in a family, and instead of complaining about it, what can we do to make the situation better? (Jenna entertains Mickey in the back seat while Mr. Carbone jimmies the door lock).

For the delightful illustrations, for the ease of text and for demonstrating that everyday frustrations are part of life, I highly recommend this book to parents and families of all kinds!

This is a wonderful look at the forgetfulness and distractions of a new mother of 2.

This is one of those great books that will entertain children (especially older siblings with new babies in the house) as well as making mom laugh out loud. The illustrations are great, and the story is right on target. I especially love the warm relationship that is shown between Mama and Jenna. This is one of my favorite all-time books. It would be a perfect present for a family who just had their second baby. (Check out Judith Caseley's other books too...they're all wonderful).

It was a cool book. I loved it. Judith Casely is comming to visit our school on March 5, 1998. Isn't that cool. I love this book and I recommend it for grades 4-6.

Is it more important to win a medal in sports competition or in life situations? I enjoyed learning about the different field day activities, but more than that I enjoyed find out why medals should really be given. This book is one that NEEDS to be shared with children. I wish I had had this for both myself and for my children.

I bought this book to help my 4 yr old son learn about people with a missing limb. My best friend's 9 month old son had to have both hands and feet amputated and I was fearful of how my older son would handle seeing him. We read this quite a few times and really discussed how different people are and about prostethic limbs. When he saw the baby for the 1st time after his illness and surgery, he didn't bat an eye about his disabilities and I feel this book and discussions are the reason why.

This was a very nice book. However, I was disappointed when I found that the main character wore a prosthetic arm, only because my daughter does not. My only concern is that she will read the book and want to know where her new arm is...and we really don't feel that she needs one. Other than that, I thought the book was very well done.

This book was agod send Harry is born with his left hand and forearm missing this book shows that children with a limb difference can fit in The book is shown from a childs perspective. Judith Caseley has witten and illustrated a great book.

I am surprised more people have not discovered this delightful story; it is a favorite at our house. "Dear Annie" is an excellent introduction to the idea of corresponding with a special pen pal. The exchange of letters can take place before a child can actually write; in the story Annie dictates letters to her grandfather through her mother. We read "Dear Annie" along with "No Mail for Mitchell," "Pooh's Mailbox, and "Toot and Puddle" when my son became interested in the US Mail. All these books well together in theme and tone. After, my son became interested in corresponding with relatives and actually enjoyed dictating "thank you letters."

"Dear Annie" works well on antoher level--illustrating how the bond between a child and grandparent can be deeply enriched by correspondence. Annie's grandfather uses letter to tell Annie stories of his life and to express his love for her. These are two things that grandparents who are geographically distant are not always able to do over the phone. The stories in the book that the grandfather tells are simple, but excellent launching points to start a discussion at home about family and history and changing times.

I am a first grade teacher and have found this book not only wonderful to inspire children to write, but for parents and other teachers. This book shows that literacy can start at birth.
The main character in this story learns to value not only reading and writing, but develops a much closer relationship with her pen pal, which is her grandfather.

Anne's mother read the letters from Grandpa from the time she was born. As Anne got older the mother scaffolded Anne by growing on what she could do. She would mail the letter with Anne, then having anne dictate to her, then helping when needed to allowing Anne to go from an emergent level to a self-extending level and scaffolding when necessary. By the end Anne was reading, writing and even mailing the letters herself.

Another great moment is when she took her letters to share with her class and it inspired her whole class to do a writing project so the literacy band wagon could continue even farther. I highly reccomend this book for children, parents, grandparents, and especially teachers (this is a great lesson to do a study on states and write to others around the country or world).

This book is the worst, trashiest book I have ever read. It was about topics that trashy people like to read and I wish I would have realized that sooner than when I actually started reading. Just nasty, dirty, messages which didn't lead out to one thing. Be smart, and get a different book instead. The only reason that I gave this book 2 stars was because I felt so dang sorry for it!! It's just one of those trashy teen novels people label literature. Try some REAL books instead.

Losing Louisa is book about a 16 year old girl named Lacey who is coming to terms or has to come to terms with many things that have happened or are happening in her life. Her sister's pregnancy shatters Lacey's perception of her sister as a prim, preppy, good girl. Lacey's father, who has deserted her and her family for another woman, is living in a posh house and expecting a child with his new wife. Lacey's mother is dressing in tight clothes, going out with a body-builder named Vinnie, and acting much like a 16 year old herself. As for Lacey, she is dealing with the everyday pressures of growing up. The fact that her crush is turning out to be a jerk. Her mixed feelings about her father. The guy from the deli who has a crush on her.Lacey is dealing with a lot, but throughout this book she learns a lot too. So does the reader. In general the writting was clever and humourous,as was the story, but also serious at some moments and sad at others. This book was an incredibly good read and i would recomend it for anyone (teenaged or adult) who wants to read a great book.

Well this book is mostly for teens. It contains teen situations and curses, foul language, and teen stuff. Well, it begins with a girl named Lacey that has a crush on two boys but at the end of the book she stays with one. Her mom wears tight teenage clothes and divorces and dates. Rosie, Laceys Sister is pregnant and has to chose between adoption or abortion. Lacey's cat dies and she gets a half-sister which seems that makes her jealous. This is book has many surprises and suspenses. It deals with the teenage life and it is a very great young adult book. I recommend this book to everyone.

i think that this book Kisses by judith Caseley was an exellent book to read. your hooked to it. i liked the whole book because what happened in the beginning is what you understand when you finish this book. make sure u comprehend the gist. i recommend this book to any one who likes stories that are dragging, or slow and lovey dovey.

I think that Kisses was a good book.The begining kind of bored me but towards teh middle I was really into it. I couldn't put the book down. I read it all in one night. Ithink anyone who likes romantic books or storys should go out and read this book. You will be very satisfied.

I picked up this book because my son was in his first class play, but it is about MORE than that. It teaches a lesson about accepting differences, making the best of what you have and finding the silver lining. Has very colorful pictures of children in a variety of animal costumes.

My Father The Nutcase By: Judith Caseley How would you feel if your father suddenly acted like a zombie, and you felt like a loser around guys? In The book My Father the Nut Case, you really feel like it could be happening. It focuses on kids and things that, could really go on in a teenagers life. The book brings you into the life of a typical 15 year old teen named Zoe. The story takes place in Northern Jersey. Some of the other characters in the book are Zoe's best friend Margot, and her other friend Angie. Margot is more of a shy girl, but Angie is a total opposite. She is a very up front girl, and very experienced when it comes to guys. Another character is Zoe's older, and prettier sister, Cara. The problem in the story is that Zoe's father has become a depressed. He exibits no personality, and just sits around the house. She used to think her father was strict and annoying; now she just wishes she had a father. It was the first book I have ever read by this author and it intrigued me to read other books written by her. The author is able to make you feel like you are really in the book and the problems she has are really happening to you. This book is like the book Sweet Bells Jangle Out of Tune. Students can relate to the guy pressures and family problems. I couldn't find any problems with this story; everything was easy to understand and it was fast moving, and never really got you bored. So I suggest that you read My Father The Nutcase.

A perfect gift for a child entering the "slumber party" age. Shares the fun of planning the party, the challenges of everyone wanting to be with THE birthday girl, and the reality of the homesick child at the party. Really got my child excited for an upcoming slumber party.