Lena thinks the story is funny but doesn't believe her own mother would act like a soccer mom from outer space until she plays in her first game. Black slave mothers struggled to protect, teach and comfort their babies. Each lullaby is illustrated with a bold folk quilt collage designed by Michael Cummings. The collection of lullabies and quilts capture the rich musical heritage of McGill and the mothers in her family. Included with the unique collection is a compact disc performed by the author.
Mothers can be excellent problem solvers.
Wynona dreams of a special dress for her sixth-grade graduation, but her single parent mama can't afford the dress. May White's full page watercolor washes help readers see Mama's splendid solution. In addition to caring for her large family, she works in the fields, cooks two meals a day for 20 other farm workers, manages to scrounge up Christmas gifts for her children and consoles her son Panchito when he loses his penny collection and cherished pocket journal on the same day. Gary and Barbara Bleeker are longtime professors in the English department at Emporia State University. They are nationally recognized authorities on children's and young-adult literature.