On Mother's Lap

Scott, Ann Herbert. On Mother’s Lap. New York: Clarion Books, 1972 (text), 1992 (illustrations).

Especially appealing for young children about two to six, On Mother’s Lap lets us see a few minutes in the life of Michael, a little Innuit boy. He rocks “back and forth” in his mother’s lap but has to keep stopping to collect another favorite item that his mother will patiently include in the cuddling session. After arranging Dolly, Boat, Blanket, and Puppy on mother’s lap, Michael doesn’t think there will be room for Baby, too. But there is. And according to Michael, “It feels good.”

The illustrations by Glo Coalson speak eloquently about how Michael lives: snow, ice, small wooden houses and riders on sleds pulled by dogs outside and a cozy living and sleeping room, old-fashioned stove, mostly bare floor, dresser, two toys, and clothes drying on a clothesline inside. Outdoors, we see Michael and his mother dressed in fur-lined hoods and thick clothes. Indoors, they merely wear long sleeves, but they keep their boots on. For its universal theme, its appeal to young listeners, and its warm yet informative pictures, On Mother’s Lap gets an A.

My Name Is Yoon

Recorvits, Helen. My Name Is Yoon. New York: Frances Foster Books, 2003.

Yoon is fresh from Korea, and is having difficulty writing her name in English—not because she doesn’t know how to, but because “My name looks happy in Korean . . . The symbols dance together.” But in the English word “YOON” were “Lines. Circles. Each standing alone.” Besides, in Korean, “Yoon” means “Shining Wisdom.” Soon, though, Yoon finds out that her teacher likes her, another student will share with her, and that “Maybe America will be a good home.” Now she writes her name in English, and “it still means Shining Wisdom.”

Each page in My Name Is Yoon displays artwork (by Gabi Swiatkowska) with appealing faces—especially Yoon’s—and still lifes, geometric patterns, and landscapes in the background. Due to subtle storytelling, strong characters, readable prose and gorgeous illustrations all in one short volume, My Name Is Yoon gets an A+.