A Chair for My Mother

A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

by Vera B. Williams

On Sale: 01/23/2007

A Chair for My Mother

A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

by Vera B. Williams

illustrated by Vera B. Williams

On Sale: 01/23/2007

Format:

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Parents' Choice Gold Award

Caldecott Honor Book

Reading Rainbow Book

Horn Book Fanfare

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

About the Book

This classic and heartwarming picture book was written and illustrated by the celebrated Vera B. Williams and was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. 

"A tender knockout. It's rare to find much vitality, spontaneity, and depth of feeling in such a simple, young book."—Kirkus Reviews

Vera Williams tells of a young girl who, along with her waitress mother, saves coins in a big jar in hopes that they can someday buy a new chair for their apartment, the kind of chair her mother deserves after being on her feet all day in the Blue Tile Diner. Into the jar also goes the money Grandma saves whenever she gets a bargain at the market.

There hasn't been a comfortable place to sit in the apartment since a fire in their previous apartment burned everything to "charcoal and ashes." Friends and neighbors brought furniture to their new apartment downstairs, but no one brought anything big or soft or comfortable. Finally the jar is full, the coins are rolled, and in the book's crowning moment, mother, daughter, and Grandma search four different furniture stores, and after carefully trying several chairs, like Goldilocks, they find the chair they've been dreaming of at last.

Vera Williams enhances this story about family, community, and the power of working together toward a common goal with her signature folk art-inspired paintings.

A Chair for My Mother has sold more than a million copies and is an ideal choice for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. "A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family."—The Horn Book

Vera B. Williams's beloved picture book favorites include:

  • "More More More," Said the Baby
  • Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart
  • A Chair for Always
  • A Chair for My Mother
  • Cherries and Cherry Pits
  • Music, Music for Everyone
  • Something Special for Me
  • Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea
  • Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

Resources

Product Details

  • ISBN: 9780688040741
  • ISBN 10: 0688040748
  • Imprint: Greenwillow Books
  • On Sale: 01/23/2007
  • Pages: 32
  • List Price:10.99 CAD
  • Ages: 4 to 8
  • BISAC1 : JUVENILE FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural
  • BISAC2 : JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Homelessness & Poverty
  • BISAC3 : JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Multigenerational
  • BISAC4 : JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
  • BISAC5 : JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / African American
  • BISAC6 : JUVENILE FICTION / Classics

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