31 Uses for a Mom

by Harriet Ziefert, Rebecca Doughty (Illustrator)

Moms are great at so many things! Mom is the one you go to if you need a knee patched or an elbow bandaged, if you want to hear the best story or eat the best cookies. Telling time is her forte, and surely her résumé includes titles like Party Planner, Doctor, Pitcher, Catcher, and Chauffeur. But what is Mom the greatest at? Being a friend.

Once again, Harriet Ziefert and Rebecca Doughty team up to give us a simple, quirky, and sincere look at how children view the world, this time singing the praises of mothers everywhere.

Illustrated by Rebecca Doughty.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2003

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

For little ones, moms and dads and grandparents are heroes. I used this in a SUPER HERO theme story time that was sandwiched between Mother's Day and Father's Day. Rather than read the story I simply flipped through the pages, selecting some of the things moms do and asked, "Does your mom...?"

[Shamilah Gillani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to read near Mother's Day! This book is about a young boy who goes through a list of the reasons why he needs his mom. Students can see that writing can include lists and they can connect with this story. I would have my students read the book and create a list of the reasons why they need their mom! They could follow that up by making a Mothers Day Card for their moms. I think it is important for students to see how hard their parents work for their children and how much help they children get from their parents. This book introduces new vocabulary and writing elements to students that I would emphasize upon in reading groups.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 2 out of 5]

31 Uses for a Mom / written by Harriet Ziefert; drawings by Rebecca Doughty -- New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, c2003. (32 pages)

SUMMARY: Humorous drawings show some different ways in which moms serve their children.

REVIEW: Imaginative concept. There is no storyline, just a list of 31 Uses for a Mom along with an accompanying drawing of a variety of moms and their kids. Complex stick figure drawings is what I'm reminded of when I look at the illustrations. NOTE: #30 - Page Turner -- is my favorite

FURTHER FUN: add to the list as well as draw an illustration.

Pair this book with: LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book for adult ESL students, this is simply a list of things a mother might do for her children. With just 42 words, students can look up every single unfamiliar word if need be - and those words are not just basic vocabulary. The book's brevity will also allow readers to take some time to figure out the moments of humor that a native speaker may spot instantly. Finally, it is a nice detail to match the number of days in May, the month of Mothers' Day.

[Jennifer Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute and quirky way that children can count, learn vocabulary words, and read about mothers and all that they do for us. This book would be a cute mini lesson to implement right before a holiday such as Mother's Day. The students can practice their writing skills by creating a story/list of their own. This book also seems to be a great book for students who are still learning the English language because of the simple vocabulary words and format that it is written in.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short compilation of many of the things moms do for their kids, from the organizational to the fun! There are so many things moms (and all parents) do to enrich and support the lives of their kids. The pictures are fun and it is a great story to read to kids to help them appreciate their moms!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moms really do everything! From being their child's doctor, repair person, chief and and and. Fun activity to do after reading this book is to see how many more uses for a mom you and your child can come up with. Seem's like the list is never ending.

[VAle · Rating 3 out of 5]

preso in biblioteca

A cosa serve una mamma?
Questo libro indica i 31 più comuni utilizzi di una mamma..
Consigliato a chi si chiede "ma cosa me ne faccio di questa che mi gira per casa?"
Dai 2 anni in su.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, like a few others that Ziefert wrote, is a book that provides a list of qualities for a particular person. As far as I am aware, there are also books like this about a grandmother and a friend. It could be used to introduce a listing activity in a writing workshop.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a quirky and wonderful tribute to moms. The story's really in the pictures!

[Christy Whitaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom is everything- driver, doctor, cook, party planner... The list goes on- to 31 to be exact. This book is a great way to teach counting, as well as a contribute to moms.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and clever!

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book. Great gift for a mom!!!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book, the illustrations show 31 different things that moms do to take care of their children, point by point. Examples are hairstylist, chauffeur, party planner, and 27 more.

[Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought it for my mom for mother's day a few years back. She liked it too.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, but cute, list of things mom can do and be!