On Mother's Lap

by Ann Herbert Scott, Glo Coalson (Illustrator)

A little Inuit boy discovers there's room for himself and his baby sister on their mother's lap.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Cultural, Storytime, Indigenous

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

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.

Ann Herbert Scott was born in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, and grew up writing. Her first children's book, co-authored with a friend and never published, was written at the age of 13. Many honors and children's books followed with a hiatus to marry and raise a family. Today, Scott is one of America's foremost authors of children's literature. She deftly uses her B.A. in English (University of Pennsylvania) and M.A. in Social Ethics (Yale University) to bring both credibility and wonder to her work. Many of her books deal with western, ethnic, and rural themes.

Scott moved to Reno in 1961, when she married William Taussig Scott (1916-1999), a physics professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her work as an "enumerator" in the agricultural census of 1964 eventually led to her writing a history of the U. S. census, with the cooperation of the Bureau of the Census. Her novel Sam was an American Library Association Notable Book for 1967. Another of her books, On Mother's Lap, was read by Captain Kangaroo on his television program as part of the national Reading is Fundamental literacy initiative. In 1996, the paperback edition of Cowboy Country was awarded the Parents' Choice Silver Honor. Scott is active in the Northern Nevada arts community and is the co-founder of the Annual Art of the Children's Book Festival. She and her husband were co-founders of Sierra Interfaith Action for Peace, a non-profit public benefit corporation in Washoe County, Nevada.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me note for those interested in the subject that this book shows babywearing on the cover.

But that's really just a lagniappe in a good book.

Michael is, as you can guess, sitting on his mother's lap, and he keeps getting down and fetching more and more of his special things to be with him. Eventually all this wakes his sister, and his mother goes to sit her on her lap as well, and he makes room and they snuggle together.

The author doesn't patronize kids by carefully spelling out "Michael is jealous of his sister" or anything of that nature. It's too easy to do that. Instead, Michael's feelings are clearly shown by his words ("There isn't room") and the illustrations (him hiding under his blanket is priceless).

I wouldn't suggest giving this to a mother of five who has already started yelling "I WANT MY LAP BACK", after all, the moral is that there's *always* room on mother's lap. But most everybody else is going to love it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story of a mother's all encompassing love as shown through her lap where there is "always room." The illustrations are lovely. I like the interesting setting (an Inuit village) compared to many of this type of book. I also like that the little boy has a doll. A dear book!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are soft and sweet. I really like them!

Michael loves sitting on his mother’s lap. He sits in her lap with dolly (an Eskimo boy stuffy). He sits on her lap with dolly and a boat. And the story continues until little sister is crying and Mother suggests that she wants to sit on her lap too. Michael is upset by this until Mother shows him that there’s always plenty of room on a Mother’s lap.

Ages: 2 - 4

Cleanliness: Michael has a grumpy face when his mom makes a suggestion - he changes his mind.?

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[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it years ago, but had to read again as saw on a banned list. I have absolutely no reason l can figure out why. Have given it to 3 other people to read and they can’t see anything that someone could possibly see as a problem.

[Chou Yuko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is a nice book for young children because the sentences in this book are short and simple. It shows a mother’s love and how she can always make something work.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s always room on Mother’s lap.

2/1/23 Read with Charlotte

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites to use with my Mothers story time. This year I had all the mothers rocking their children along with the story. 5/4/11

Used again this year and had many mothers rocking their babies in lap time. 5/8/13

Used again for lap time and many mothers joined in. 5/6/14

Used for Story Time for a Native American program. 11/14

Used for my Mothers lap time and the mothers joined in rocking. 5/6/14

Used for Story Time again and the day care got into rocking. 11/17/14

A little long for the last book in PJ. Worked really well as the first book in Lap Time. We all rocked! 5/2/16

Worked real well even though I had a lot of toddlers and nannies sneak into preschool story time. Got several "Awes" at the ending

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Mother's Lap by Ann Herbert Scott and illustrated by Glo Coalson is a quiet story about a young child and their patient mother. They want to be rocked before bed and Mama is willing to rock them.

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Haley Carlisle]

On Mother’s Lap is a realistic fictional picture book about a single mother taking care of her two children. Her son Michael is adjusting to the newest family member, his baby sister. As the mother is rocking her son on her lap, Michael runs and gets his most treasured items to join them. As mother is rocking Michael and his favorite things (Dolly, reindeer blanket, boat, and his puppy) Michaels little sister wakes up, and mother gets baby. Michael insist that there will not be any room for all of them, but mother shows that there is. Michaels mom reassures to him that she will always be here. This story would be interesting to children because it shows the importance of a mother’s love. It also reveals on how to handle a problem and solution. The illustrations flowed very well with the story and even showed the frustration in Michaels body language when he didn't think there would be enough room. It includes realistic characters and is age appropriate. I didn’t see any negative stereotypes throughout the story, . This story relates to my children’s book topic because its expresses the important role a single mother plays in their child’s life.

[Laura Drennen]

Context- Fiction-Picture Story Book

Bibliographic Information-

Scott, Ann Herbert. On Mothers Lap, Illus by Glo Coalson. HMH Books, 1992, Unp, Primary
When a young boy named Michael craves for his mother’s attention, his mother brings him onto her lap and sits on a rocking chair to create the sense of a safe and calm environment with the forward and backward motion. The illustrations within the passage and use of textual evidence provides the reader with the point of view of the cultural setting and how Michael does not like to share this special time with his mother. The mother’s actions of brining the baby and Michael onto her lap create the sense of a warm, loving family household.

Alaska Information/Keywords- Reindeer blanket, toy boat and doll with traditional clothing, use of warm clothing in a cold environment

Activity- Discuss with students the textual evidence that lets the reader know this book in set in an Alaskan setting and have students pick out the illustrations and keywords.

Recommendation- Yes, Loved this short passage and the illustrations

[Bre Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture Story Book, Family, Home

Scott, Ann Herbert. On Mother’s Lap. Illustrated by Glo Coalson. MA: HMH Books, 1992. Unp. Primary

In a house with a mother and her two children, her son, Michael wants to sit on her lap with his toys and a blanket and rock back and forth in a rocking chair. Michael’s baby sister wakes up from her nap and also wants to sit on mother’s lap, but Michael does not want to share his mother and says there is no room. Mother assures them both that there is always room on mother’s lap. This easy to read and touching story makes you feel warm to know that there is always room on mother’s lap.
Alaska Connection:Native doll, a boat and a reindeer blanket.

Related Activity: Ask the class if they have any Alaska themed toys like Michael did in the story (e.g., Native doll, boat, reindeer blanket).

[MaryEllen Elizabeth Hart]

I used to read this book On Mother's Lap
to my children (Indy Hart and Karin Nicole Hart) often.

It is an endearing recounting of the sibling rivalry that occurs for mama's time and physical presence when a second, or third, or fourth...baby is brought home. An excellent summertime book to read. The story is about an Aleut native American Indian mother and her patience with, and love for, all her children, and the children's adorable natures adjusting to new sibling encounters.

https://www.amazon.com/AUDIOTAPE-CASS...

[Deonna Hankerson]

This story is about a little boy who loved to sit on his mother's lap. He wanted something new to be on his mom lap with him as well. Everything he asked for, his mom allowed him to bring. The last thing he asked for was for his baby sibling to sit with them because he was crying. He was sad because he felt like there was no room. Mom made room and everything the little boy initially brought as well as his sibling.

[Megan McNutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is by far one of the cutest books I've read because it really showcases the love that a mother has for her children. I think that kids will like this book because it will remind them of their own parents and I think a lot of kids will be able to relate to it. I think this would be a good book to have in your classroom library as an option for kids to read.

[Marissa Dunbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel this is a great book for younger children or beginning readers. The sentences are short and simple. It shows a mother’s love and how she can always make something work. It is a sweet book and also shows how a child feels when there is a much younger child in the house, his baby sister wanted to rock with them as well and he was not happy. But I thought this was a pretty good book.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby age is 10 I liked it it's cute and silly my favorite line is baby ,boat, puppy, and MIKEL on mother's lap all tucked under blanket you now it's funny said mother how theirs always room on mother's lap.

[Kortney Rupprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in traditional Alaskan home, a young boy named Michael makes room for all of his favorite things on his mother’s lap, but becomes upset when his sister awakes and wants to join their cuddle. Mother explains that there’s always room on a mother’s lap, and eases his jealousy. The excitement that beams from the child-centered point-of-view, combined with Southern dialect, serene colored pencil illustrations create a timeless, heartwarming feel to this story.

AK: Traditional Home, Mukluks, Reindeer Blanket, Cold

Activity: Have students bring in 4 of their favorite belongings and encourage them to “show and share” them with the class. Then, have them write about why each item is important to them.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back and forth. Back and forth. Very gentle story - can be used in lapsit with good movement direction from text.

[Milton Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning to share mother's knees. B

[Deltora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book, lovely message

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet. A gentle, realistic bedtime story.

[Vicki Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book expressing a mother’s heart and a son adjusting to a baby in the home.

[AvaAsh]

It was just ok

[Kelly Miller]

This is great for children who may be Indian or eskimos this book has characters displayed from that culture

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and simple.

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is very sweet and such a calm book. It would be perfect to read before bed or nap time.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alissa listened to this one on tape. Great story!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, especially when the puppy got involved. 🙊 The kids I read this to enjoyed it!

[KhiN’Millie Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one! - Khi 3

[Victoria Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for when a toddler gets a new baby.