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While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat
Rrrring!
Rrrring!
While Mama has a quick chat with Uncle Fred, Rose is supposed to be getting ready for bed. And she tries. She really does. But downstairs someone's yoo-hooing, and the doorbell keeps ringing. Soon the house is full of wild guests and weird foods, magic and music. And Mama is still on the phone! What's a little girl to do? Rose finds out, and so will you, in While Mama had a Quick Little Chat.
Rrrring!
While Mama has a quick chat with Uncle Fred, Rose is supposed to be getting ready for bed. And she tries. She really does. But downstairs someone's yoo-hooing, and the doorbell keeps ringing. Soon the house is full of wild guests and weird foods, magic and music. And Mama is still on the phone! What's a little girl to do? Rose finds out, and so will you, in While Mama had a Quick Little Chat.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Amy Reichert
7 books12 followersAmy Reichert has a home phone, a cell phone, a speakerphone, a headset phone, and call waiting. She can cook, clean, work in the garden, check e-mail, help with homework, brush her cats, eat, read, exercise, drive, watch TV, feed her fish, and write a book — all while having a quick little chat! She lives with her husband and two children in Bethesda, Maryland.
from simonsays.com
from simonsays.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 16, 2020
Just as Rose's Mama is about to put her to bed, she gets a phone call from Uncle Fred, and instructs Rose to get ready on her own. But before the little girl can brush her teeth or wash her face, the front doorbell rings, and the first of a series of surprise visitors - in this case, party-supply deliverers - arrives. Rose soon finds herself playing the role of unwilling hostess, as a wild party ensues. Every time she attempts to gain her mother's attention, she is put off by the assurance that the phone call is almost over...
An amusing tale told in rhyming text, While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat plays upon the idea of the mayhem that can occur while oblivious parents are distracted, in this case, by a phone call. Children will appreciate the humor of Rose's situation, and enjoy the madcap adventure she falls into, simply by answering the door. The accompanying watercolor artwork by Alexandra Boiger highlights the humor of each scene, while also depicting a cute-as-a-button young heroine. Recommended to anyone looking for bedtime books with a little humor and pizzazz!
An amusing tale told in rhyming text, While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat plays upon the idea of the mayhem that can occur while oblivious parents are distracted, in this case, by a phone call. Children will appreciate the humor of Rose's situation, and enjoy the madcap adventure she falls into, simply by answering the door. The accompanying watercolor artwork by Alexandra Boiger highlights the humor of each scene, while also depicting a cute-as-a-button young heroine. Recommended to anyone looking for bedtime books with a little humor and pizzazz!
March 8, 2017
Hilarious adventure! I'll be sure to include this for my preschool storytime.
March 11, 2012
It’s just before bedtime when the telephone rings. Mama picks up the phone and tells Rose to get ready for bed by the time she finishes her “quick chat” with Uncle Fred. Rose is about to get started when the door bell rings and in rush men to set up a party. She tries to get Mama, who says that she’s busy. She tries to shoo them out, but they just won’t go. The guests arrive next, followed by waiters, a wizard, and a band. Rose tries to get rid of each one, but instead she gets carried off to help out. Rose is playing a wild rhythm on the drums, when Mama calls that she’s about to hang up. Rose rushes the party out the door and runs upstairs, where Mama finds her fast asleep in bed.
The text is full of action and dialogue and each new event is followed by the phrase, “It’s hard to believe, but Rose did ALL that, before Mama had finished her quick little chat.” The illustrations use a sophisticated palate straight out of the 1920’s, embellished with curlicues, balloons, and circles of dancing light. Rose herself is a delight, in a white night gown, argyle socks, and pom-pommed slippers.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The text is full of action and dialogue and each new event is followed by the phrase, “It’s hard to believe, but Rose did ALL that, before Mama had finished her quick little chat.” The illustrations use a sophisticated palate straight out of the 1920’s, embellished with curlicues, balloons, and circles of dancing light. Rose herself is a delight, in a white night gown, argyle socks, and pom-pommed slippers.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
June 21, 2013
Blogged this here.
I can’t even count the times I’ve told my daughter, “Hang on a minute! I’m on the phone!” only to be on the phone for at least five if not ten more minutes. This story plays on that idea–while Mama’s on the phone, the doorbell rings numerous times, a party starts and ends, and Mama is none the wiser (I hope that hasn’t happened at our house!). The illustrations are engaging and boisterous, and the rhyming text is very fun to read out loud. So cute.
I can’t even count the times I’ve told my daughter, “Hang on a minute! I’m on the phone!” only to be on the phone for at least five if not ten more minutes. This story plays on that idea–while Mama’s on the phone, the doorbell rings numerous times, a party starts and ends, and Mama is none the wiser (I hope that hasn’t happened at our house!). The illustrations are engaging and boisterous, and the rhyming text is very fun to read out loud. So cute.
February 1, 2018
Mama hops on the phone to call Uncle Fred and tells young Rose to get herself ready for bed. Rose really would like to comply with Mama's request but things just keep getting in her way.
I think the entire premise of this book is hilarious, even the title and the cover art were enough to make me laugh. The illustrations are lively and exciting, the character design is great and the text has a nice rhythm. This book lends itself to loooots of great voices.
I think the entire premise of this book is hilarious, even the title and the cover art were enough to make me laugh. The illustrations are lively and exciting, the character design is great and the text has a nice rhythm. This book lends itself to loooots of great voices.
November 9, 2015
Love reading this with elementary students as we talk about "old phones with cords set upon telephone tables". They have no idea, but they do relate to the impatience of waiting for a chatty mom to get off the phone. One of my favorites!
February 10, 2016
This is such a darling children's book. The illustrations are charming and the story is really fun and creative. It rhymes but that doesn't at all take away from the writing quality. I've read this to my daughter probably 40 times now and she always asks for it again.
March 4, 2008
Hilarious tale about the goings on of a little girl while her mama has a "quick" phone call. Lyddie and I love this!
July 11, 2008
Very cute and the kids were enchanted.
August 26, 2008
As a mom I can relate. In a short amount of time this girl has done all kinds of things. While at the same time, the mom is having a "quick" little chat. great books for moms and their kids
March 29, 2010
frothy, rhyming fun. wonderful, whimsical illustrations. a nice little brain cleanser.
April 21, 2010
Love this book.. reminds me of when my own mom.. mid stream of 'discussing our transgressions loudly' would then answer the phone with a 'helllllooooo'
June 8, 2011
Great color scheme. Fun story. Adorable little girl. <3 What more could you freakin want people??? READ IT and FALL IN LOOOOOVE <3 <3
September 30, 2010
THis was soo cute. Because sometimes when phone conversations get to longe I know the kids get attention antsy. Anyway this is a WAY cute story of what is going on while your on the phone.
March 14, 2011
I love the rhyme. The illusrations are irresetable.
January 31, 2012
Another favorite children's book of mine. I am sure this is what my kids feel like while I am trying to take care of Relief Society business over the phone all the time.
January 20, 2014
Loved it. So funny. The kids will love it.
April 19, 2016
Cute book about what Rose does while her mom is on the phone. The illustrations are very colorful and exciting. The story is written in somewhat of poem forum, with lots of rhyming.
December 6, 2018
Laughed out loud on this one. It's even more applicable today with the way we can be so tied to our cell phones. It's easy to relate to the characters. And such fun!
June 15, 2022
My kids, nieces and nephews loved this book. Such a fun one! I took it to our local school and read it to the elementary classes. Loved by all!
April 29, 2018
This is an amazing story that rings so true. A little girl is having the adventure of her life while her mom is on the phone. The problem is the guests weren't invited.
December 12, 2013
Oh, my! but this is a delightful one! Those quick little chats on the phone are never just a moment or two, are they?—unless a moment equates to 30 minutes or an hour. Amy Reichert has fun with this phenomena and I guarantee* that you will have fun, too. It is amazing what Rose is able to accomplish in the span of a quick little chat. She is certainly capable of feats beyond her mother’s bedtime preparatory expectations.
Reichert’s rhythm and rhyme infused evening has the story humming along. The lines do not come off as forced or contrived. And maybe some of it is the settting, but that fluidity of Madeline comes to mind–not that I wasn’t won over completely with the end rhymes: hors d’oervres and serve, weird and appeared. The mother-daughter interactions, too, were a riot.
Rose’s vibrant red hair captured my attention and her personality just as vividly pops off the page. The blues and grays of Alexandra Boiger’s watercolor foreground the reds, yellows and greens. The interiors of the house are expansive and become filled with these larger than life characters and events. Rose’s adventure becomes as exaggerated as her mother’s sense of time, and they are a lovely pairing this way—and visually, too. They both come across a ridiculously fun—because who has not experienced the “quick phone call” scenario from one side or the other…I only wish mine had included such an exciting party.
This is one of those writer/illustrator teams I would love to see again–so yes, I will be looking up Take Your Mama to Work Day (Atheneum, 2012).
———————-
*as a test I interrupted Natalya (aged 13) in the middle of an intense scene behind enemy lines in the 12th chapter of Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. She agrees that the picture book is indeed funny and fun.
recommendations… a book to enjoy together, and not necessarily mother-daughter. a good bedtime book, as well as anytime book..except for maybe when one is on the phone.
of note: would be fun to invent a story of all the fun things that could happen while the parent is finishing their quick little chat after sharing this one together–do use big words and big imaginations, rhyme optional.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
Reichert’s rhythm and rhyme infused evening has the story humming along. The lines do not come off as forced or contrived. And maybe some of it is the settting, but that fluidity of Madeline comes to mind–not that I wasn’t won over completely with the end rhymes: hors d’oervres and serve, weird and appeared. The mother-daughter interactions, too, were a riot.
Rose’s vibrant red hair captured my attention and her personality just as vividly pops off the page. The blues and grays of Alexandra Boiger’s watercolor foreground the reds, yellows and greens. The interiors of the house are expansive and become filled with these larger than life characters and events. Rose’s adventure becomes as exaggerated as her mother’s sense of time, and they are a lovely pairing this way—and visually, too. They both come across a ridiculously fun—because who has not experienced the “quick phone call” scenario from one side or the other…I only wish mine had included such an exciting party.
This is one of those writer/illustrator teams I would love to see again–so yes, I will be looking up Take Your Mama to Work Day (Atheneum, 2012).
———————-
*as a test I interrupted Natalya (aged 13) in the middle of an intense scene behind enemy lines in the 12th chapter of Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. She agrees that the picture book is indeed funny and fun.
recommendations… a book to enjoy together, and not necessarily mother-daughter. a good bedtime book, as well as anytime book..except for maybe when one is on the phone.
of note: would be fun to invent a story of all the fun things that could happen while the parent is finishing their quick little chat after sharing this one together–do use big words and big imaginations, rhyme optional.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
March 10, 2019
I don't know that I should give this the full five stars (there are a few times the rhyming rhythm is just a touch off, which is always irksome), but the concept is so brilliantly elaborated, that I can't help myself. My kids laughed uproariously and then rolled their eyes at me--because I've been that mother nearly word-for-word. This is a book I think I want to own. High praise from someone who unabashedly prefers to depend on the local library. Well done, Amy Reichert and Alexandra Boiger!
August 11, 2018
Yes, as a mom- I can so relate.
I felt when my kids were small I couldn't take a shower until they were fast asleep and often hurried to use the restroom, never having a moments peace.
This is a humorous story young children will enjoy- could be used as a spin off to write their own stories which I appreciate and would enjoy.
I felt when my kids were small I couldn't take a shower until they were fast asleep and often hurried to use the restroom, never having a moments peace.
This is a humorous story young children will enjoy- could be used as a spin off to write their own stories which I appreciate and would enjoy.
Currently reading
February 10, 2008Oh, sweet release from the purgatory of Dora, Disney and other mindless drivel that falls in the category of children's books. Beautiful illustrations, incredible writing and an irresistibility for mom, dad, and kids alike.
February 6, 2008
lots of fun - great rhyming.
a book we picked up from the library today.
a book we picked up from the library today.
August 4, 2011
Audio CD- This is cute. It reminded me when my mom seemed to change her attitude while she was on the phone when I was a little girl.
May 16, 2012
I loved all about the book and I loved reading it to my friends with a little bit of a southern accent! It's just ammmaaaazing
June 13, 2018
A darling book with beautiful animations. I was thoroughly surprised and entertained as were the kids I was watching, we read it over and over!
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February 3, 2023This book is such a cute story that fully strikes the imagination. Rose is told to get ready for bed while her mom is on the phone, and she ends up throwing a party instead. People keep showing up to come in, and she can’t get it to end. She welcomes guests, serves food, performs magic and plays with the band, and STILL manages to be fast asleep before her mom is off the phone.
While I don’t see much of a deeper message to this story, it is still really cute and the images are captivating. There is so much to see on each page that you could look for a long time. I would use this as a fun book in class, or maybe even to teach rhyming, since it does have a rhyming sequence.
While I don’t see much of a deeper message to this story, it is still really cute and the images are captivating. There is so much to see on each page that you could look for a long time. I would use this as a fun book in class, or maybe even to teach rhyming, since it does have a rhyming sequence.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews