Mary Ann

by Betsy James

Presents a charming story of sibling love as a young sister provides special care in tending to her baby brother's many needs, and compares his growth to that of a tadpole. By the author of Mary Ann.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Award-winning author-illustrator Betsy James has written and/or illustrated more than a dozen books for children and young adults. She lives in New Mexico where she hikes, grows corn, and shares the shade of a cottonwood tree with one small ground squirrel and several toads.

Reviews

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about friends moving away (with lots of praying mantises).

[Hthr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story geared toward younger elementary-aged children, K through 3rd grade. It's about a young girl, Amy, whose best friend, Mary Ann, moves away, and how she copes with the loss of this friend by making a new one - a praying mantis.

This is a good book for a child who is experiencing the loss of a friend, and also for learning about the care and life cycle of this particular insect. With an afterward by the author regarding praying mantises, this is an informative and sensitive book about life and death, love and loss, and about the life cycle in general.

We'd borrow this one from the library again.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has a praying mantis. But his praying mantis died one morning. And then, he goes to see his old friend. It was so amazing when the praying mantis eggs hatched, and the baby praying mantises were everywhere!

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Use this story with story time themes about friendship, moving, vacation, insects, life-cycles, and praying mantis's.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book never fails to make me smile!