Mad At Mommy

by Komako Sakai

Overview

The creator of last year's sleeper success THE SNOW DAY returns with another pitch-perfect story of real childhood experience -- what happens when you get MAD AT MOMMY.

Little Bunny is VERY MAD at his mommy.
She sleeps too late.
She talks too much.
She watches her silly shows instead of cartoons.
And she gets mad for no reason -- just a few little bubbles on the floor.

The only thing left to do is run away. But does he really want to leave Mommy behind forever?

With the charming illustrations and spot-on understanding of young children's thinking that distinguished THE SNOW DAY and EMILY'S BALLOON, Komako Sakai brings us a REALLY ANGRY -- and ultimately sweet -- new story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545212090
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	10/01/2010
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.64(w) x 11.28(h) x 0.37(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Komako Sakai studied art in Tokyo, Japan, where she worked as a textile designer before she began illustrating picture books. She has won awards around the world, including the Japan Picture Book Prize, a Golden Plaque at the Biennial of Illustrations in Slovakia, and a Silver Griffin in the Netherlands. Her book Emily's Balloon was named an ALA Notable Children's Book and a Horn Book Fanfare title, and The Snow Day received four starred reviews. She lives in Japan.

Editorial Reviews

This honest account of a small rabbit's angry outburst and the contrast between the adorable protagonist and his simmering emotions demonstrate Sakai's (The Snow Day) uncanny ability to tap into children's feelings. "And you always tell me to hurry up--hurry up--hurry up--but then you never hurry up yourself," the small rabbit complains, toiling over a plate of spaghetti, being pulled along by his mother's hand, and then sitting stranded on the sidewalk while his mother chats with a neighbor. Later, he lies on his mother's bed, arms crossed tightly, eyes narrowed, ears limp with despair: "And--And--And--And--" he falters, before venturing into deeper waters: "And you say you can't marry me, not even when I get bigger." Sakai's wedding portrait of son and mother is a priceless mixture of humor and pathos, the small rabbit a pint-size, suspendered, and bowtied groom, the bride so big that only her wedding dress?clad torso fits on the page. Sakai's artwork, densely stroked in pastel shades, mirrors the many layers of the rabbit's emotions. A nuanced vision of a child's mercurial inner life. Ages 3?7. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

A young rabbit tells his mother why he is so mad at her. His complaints will sound familiar to young readers. She "always and always" sleeps late on Saturdays. She watches her shows, not his cartoons on TV. She yells, for what he feels is no reason, although it is obvious to us why in the double-page illustration. And she hurries him, but never herself. He goes on and on, finally declaring that he is "going someplace far away." He has slammed the door and left, on a wordless double page. But on the next, the door is opening. He has forgotten his ball. "Did you miss me?" he asks. "SO much!" is the loving reply. The front jacket portrait is of a resolute bunny, arms crossed, sitting silent at a table staring at a few spilled biscuits. A full page later shows him with a haughty head turned, eyes shut, a pose parents have seen often. Sakai captures several such poses in simple, sketchy, textured, naturalistic scenes with minimal props. The double-page illustration of our hero towering over buildings as he imagines himself getting "bigger and bigger" is particularly effective. Check out the end pages. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

PreS-K—Sitting alone at the breakfast table while his mother sleeps in, a young rabbit begins to list his grievances: Mommy always sleeps late, never lets him watch cartoons, yells for no reason, is late picking him up from school, and says that she can't marry him even when he gets bigger. "So I'm really mad at you, Mommy," the little rabbit announces, "So mad I'm gonna LEAVE. I'm going someplace far, far away. GOOD-BYE." After two wordless spreads, where the clock indicates that only five minutes have passed, he returns to ask if his mother missed him. She replies with a reassuring "SO much!" With a sparsely worded text, the simple, muted watercolor illustrations, outlined with soft charcoal, communicate most of the emotions and provide the rest of the story. Like Anna Dewdney's Llama, Llama Mad at Mamma (Viking, 2007), this Japanese import, a follow-up to The Snow Day (Scholastic, 2009), conveys the sweet and satisfying message of a mother's unconditional love. Perfect for one-on-one sharing and for generating a discussion about feelings, self-expression, and forgiveness.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

School Library Journal

This little bunny is in one big huff, and he must tell his mommy exactly how he feels. "Mommy, I—I— / I AM SO MAD AT YOU!" To underscore his case, the afflicted party presents a catalog of past wrongs—forgotten laundry, bath-time scoldings, Saturday-morning sleep-ins and the fact that his mommy can't marry him. Young readers will sympathize, while adults will secretly smile. Sakai's paintings are simply composed and staged, allowing rabbit's expressive poses to shine. There are no distractions—each detail becomes evidence of his mother's care. Her palette is uncomplicated, but extreme attention is given to the small amounts of color used. She also has a talent for scale and pattern. Across four pages she uses the same composition, but each has a different emotional beat, highlighting the connection between mother and son and contributing to the final payoff—hugs and harmony. As usual, the illustrator's work feels essentially Japanese: hand-done but with implicit craft; appearing simple but incredibly sophisticated. A playful story that offers young readers—and their big feelings—a serious voice. Charming, classy and current. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews