What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

All I remember about this children’s book is that the main character’s parents were called Ma and Ta and may have come from Ireland. I believe the MC has a conversation with his dad about apples or potatoes and says something like “Ta speaks like that because he came from Ireland...” narrative is first person. I believe the cover was light green and had a drawing of the boy and his dad on the cover. Probably published in the 1970s or 80s by what I remember about the cover. It may have been a weekly reader or scholastic book.
Anyone know this one?
Thanks!

I would have read this somewhere around 1986-1989

Dawn, what is the story's time period and location (country, location, big city/small town)?

What's the tone - funny, angsty, sad/somber, coming of age, etc.?

Can you tell us more about the boy - skills/interests/hobbies, personality, siblings, pets, etc.?

Probably Ma and Da, if they were from Ireland.

Dawn, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

No response, Abandoned.