Into My Mother’s Arms

Author: Sharon Jennings
Illustrator: Ruth Ohi
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2000
ISBN 1-55041-533-6

Synopsis:

A child describes the circle of her day, allowing us a glimpse into the loving and accepting bond that exists between a mother and child. Starting with breakfast together and followed by grocery shopping and a visit to the park, this lovely picture book shows a trusting relationship between a mother and her daughter. Told simply and with humor, “Into My Mother’s Arms” will feel immediately familiar to children and adults alike.

Canadian Book Review Annual:

“This whimsical, utterly charming picture book, which takes us through a little girl’s day, is ostensibly told in the child’s voice, but a lightly concealed double entendre makes it great fun for adults.

The unnamed child’s boundless energy and curiosity is partnered with the mother’s endless patience, good humor, and fatigue. The child is convinced the jumping on beds is “helping” to make them, that her mother “forgets” to buy cookies until reminded, and that her hard-working mother (shown sound asleep) loves to be wakened early when the child climbs into her bed with her favorite toys. Their shared day features grocery shopping and some time in the park en route home. When the child’s courage nearly fails at the top of the big slide, her mother’s smile as she waits at its foot draws her on.

Sharon Jennings has written many books for small children, including THE BYE BYE PIE (1999), which is also illustrated by the talented Ruth Ohi. INTO MY MOTHER’S ARMS is one of the most delightful books for small children that I have seen for some years. It works well for small children and for adults, whether the latter be parents, grandparents, or simply lovers of sophisticated and ironic simplicity.” (Patricia Morley)

The Globe & Mail:

“This gentle tale, complemented by Ruth Ohi’s equally spare but equally resonant paintings, ends more or less where it began: ‘When bedtime comes, my mother lies down beside me…until I fall asleep. I like that.’”

Quill & Quire:

“Ohi’s beautiful illustrations tell the story between the lines with humour and poignancy…”