Author: Alice Faye Duncan Illustrator: Charnelle Pinkney Barlow Denene Milner Books January 2020
Synopsis (From Publisher):
Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose. Mama Rose is everythingโtender and sweet. She is also as stern and demanding as any good parent should be. In the midst of their happy home, Carol misses her mother and father. She longs to be with them. But until that time comes around, she learns to surrender to the love that is present. Mama Rose becomes her โhome.โ And Carol Olivia Clementine concludes that she loves Miss Rose, โjust like a mama.โ
This sweet read-aloud is, on the surface, all about the everyday home life a caregiver creates for a young child: she teachers Clementine how to ride a bike, clean her room, tell time. A deeper look reveals the patience, intention, and care little ones receives in the arms of a mother whose blood is not her blood, but whose bond is so deepโand so unconditionalโthat it creates the most perfect condition for a child to feel safe, successful, and deeply loved
CWR Review:
This is the sweet story of Carol Olivia Clementine and her “Mama Rose”. Carol doesnโt live with her parents, they live miles away, but she wishes they could all live together. The specific circumstances of her parents living situation are not mentioned int the story, rather the focus is on her relationship with what appears to be her grandma โmama roseโ. Mama Rose takes care of Olivia just like her own parents would- combing her hair, buttoning up her coat, correcting her, teaching her personal responsibility, and most importantly encouraging her. The illustrations are lighthearted with bold bright colors. The characters have dark skin and kinky coily hair, with the main character having a gap in her teeth – I love this about these illustrations. The sweet story shows that a relationship like that of a parent and child can easily exist between a loving care giver and a child should the circumstances call for it. The authorโs note in the back makes it clear that this was her intention.
I grew up very close to my maternal grandmother, I was at her house quite a bit and even after I graduated high school, I went into my beginning college years from her home and with her help. When I went to her house I slept in her bed, and, oh man, I even went to church with her – her church. An old country church deep deep deep in the Texas woods where the grass is high, the sun is hot, and the snakes are big. When she died, I felt as though I lost a parent. I can’t help but to think of her as I read Mama Rose. Think about those people in your own life, your own Mama Roseโs, or even those in your childโs life, or perhaps you yourself are a Mama Rose. Those relationships are precious and special don’t treat them lightly. Perhaps you can share this story with your very own little Carol Olivia Clementine.
Precious, warm, delightful, get yours here or here.
Themes- grandma/granddaughter relationships, Family relationships
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