On Mother's Lap

by Ann Herbert Scott, Glo Coalson (Illustrator)

Overview

A little Inuit boy discovers there's room for himself and his baby sister on their mother's lap. "An update of the 1972 collaboration. Coalson improves upon a fine original work . . . this one is a top choice." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Customer Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618051595
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	08/28/2000
Edition description:	BOARD
Pages:	28
Sales rank:	69,931
Product dimensions:	4.37(w) x 5.75(h) x 0.87(d)
Lexile:	520L (what's this?)
Age Range:	1 - 3 Years

About the Author

Ann Herbert Scott describes herself as "a transplanted Easterner who has come to love the wide skies and far mountain ranges of the West." She is the author of SAM, ON MOTHER'S LAP, and several other picture books. She lives Benicia, California.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A classic, re-illustrated with finesse."

Booklist, ALA

"Sitting on his mother’s lap, a young Eskimo boy gathers his belongings until he, some toys, his puppy, and a blanket are all crowded together in the rocking chair. When his baby sister cries, the boy claims there is no room for her, but Mother proves him wrong, and the threesome settle comfortably in the chair. Soft illustrations depict a cozy scene and a loving family."

Horn Book

"An update of the 1972 collaboration. . . . The universality of all- encompassing maternal love transcends ethnicity and still rings true in the update, but Coalson’s realistic warm illustrations give On Mother’s Lap revitalized energy to reach a new generation of youngsters. . . . This one is a top choice."

School Library Journal, Starred

Editorial Reviews

The furnishings are few in this chilly Eskimo dwelling, but when Michael jumps in Mother's lap, the love between them warms the room, as ``back and forth, back and forth, they rock.'' Michael runs to get Dolly, then his carved boat, a reindeer blanket and even his puppy: the small rocking chair is full. When Baby cries, Mother insists there's room for her too, but Michael pouts and hides. All of them end up back in the chair, crowded but cozy; Michael admits, ``It feels good.'' Pastels in earth tones and turquoise create a luminous setting with the captivating faces of the serene mother and her two small children. Though the story is very slight, it makes a reassuring point for little ones, who need to know that a mother's love is an expandable quantity. Ages 2-5. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

On Mother's Lap has been re-issued with colored illustrations which help to show the warmth of an understanding mother who knows how to comfort her first born in the face of a new baby. Michael, enjoying sole attention and a lovely "back and forth, back and forth" rock is finally able to welcome his new baby into sharing Mother's lap "where there is always room."

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

The story is familiar. Michael's favorite place to be is on Mother's lap while they rock back and forth in a rocking chair. He brings his favorite things--a dolly, a boat, his reindeer blanket, and a puppy. When baby wakes up crying and wants to join them, Michael claims there is no more room. Leave it to Mama, she finds room for everyone and everything. What adds special interest is the family--they are Inuits and the setting shows them in a cozy home. A brief glimpse out the window shows a snowy landscape and parka clad youngsters playing outside. 2000 (1972), Clarion,

Children's Literature

PreS-Gr 2-- An update of the 1972 collaboration (McGraw-Hill; o.p.). Coalson improves upon a fine original work, drawing the Eskimo mother as a younger woman and adding color, finer lines, and details of contemporary Inuit life. Scott's spare, gentle text has not been altered; the difference is its placement on the page. The universality of all-encompassing maternal love transcends ethnicity and still rings true in the update, but Coalson's realistic, warm illustrations give On Mother's Lap revitalized energy to reach a new generation of youngsters. Libraries still owning the earlier work can get by, but this one is a top choice. --Mollie Bynum, Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK

School Library Journal

"Sitting on his mother's lap, a young Eskimo boy cheerfully gathers his belongings until he, some toys, his puppy, and a blanket are all crowded together in the rocking chair. When his baby sister cries, the boy claims there is no room for her, but Mother proves him wrong, and the threesome settle comfortably in the chair. Soft illustrations depict a cozy scene and a loving family." -- Copyright © 1992 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Horn Book

"An update of the 1972 collaboration. Coalson improves upon a fine original work . . . this one is a top choice." School Library Journal, Starred

From the Publisher