Without even thinking about it, Mama Seeton puckered her lips and whistled.It was not a loud whistle.Or a fancy whistle. Just a simple two-note whistle. When Mama Seeton whistles, her children run home for chocolate cake, hugs, kisses, and shared memories. But as time passes, they travel farther and farther away from the familiar sound. Can mama's whistle be heard all over the world, and bring her children home one more time? Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Spinelli's sweet lyrical text and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham's charming illustrations show the timeless love between a mother and her children.
This story is based on a real family. I picked this book out at the library and thought it might turn out to be one that only I enjoyed, but our 6-year-old and 4-year-old boys liked it, too. They enjoyed the magic of the whistle and the detailed illustrations, and I enjoyed the beautiful, expressive, historically accurate illustrations and could relate to the mother's wistfulness. Some reviewers have remarked that it's a problem that the mother is depressed over not seeing her grown kids anymore, and I might have agreed back when I was a single woman raised on feminist ideals -- but not as a mom. I am sure I will have days I miss these boys like crazy. That is mama love! When reading, keep a tissue handy and be ready to teach your kids how to whistle. ;-)
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