Mother, Mother, I Want Another

From Publishers Weekly
Trying to get baby mouse to go to sleep, Mrs. Mouse enlists the help of her friends in response to his cries of "Mother, mother, I want another," thinking he wants another mother, until he tells her he wants another kiss. "Polushkin's comedy of errors accelerates into a whirlwind of crises," PW said, "and the richly hued paintings burst with life, humor and imaginative touches." Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreS–A newly illustrated edition of a charming bedtime story first published in 1976, with equally charming pictures that emphasize the silliness and coziness of the text. When Mother Mouse puts her child to bed, she kisses him good night. But he starts to cry, declaring, "I want another, Mother." She assumes he wants another mother, and the story continues from there as she enlists various animals to be his other mother (even as she looks rather stricken at the prospect). A cumulative, satisfyingly repetitive story, this also offers young children a chance to get the joke well before the adult does. Goodell's colorful paintings are a delight, adding humor, emotion, and liveliness. Since this was first published, there has been an overabundance of sweet bedtime stories. This one is not especially distinctive, but is certainly good fun. All but the smallest collections will want to consider adding it to their supply of books designed to end the day with a smile (and a kiss, of course).–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. In its 1978 edition, with artwork by Diane Dawson, Polushkin's story about a misunderstanding arising from ambiguous punctuation had a relatively long run for its money; this newly illustrated version further extends its life. The premise is as silly as ever: Baby Mouse sends his fussbudget mom into a tizzy when he cries, "May I have another, mother?" Another mother? Startled but eager to satisfy her little darling, she auditions potential mom replacements (a duck, frog, pig, and donkey) until Baby Mouse finally explains that he merely wanted a second bedtime kiss. Less freely sketched than Dawson's original watercolors, Goodell's oils will charm readers with meticulously brushed village scenes populated by smartly attired animals. The cover image of Baby Mouse jumping on his bed in frustration may mislead some parents into expecting a lesson about managing behavior; others may question the portrayal of mothers as featherbrained and desperate to please. Young ones, though, will simply delight in the easy-to-grasp joke and the clueless elders' reliance on a knowing, powerful child. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
“Engaging and reassuring, little ones will find this satisfying.”—School Library Journal

Card catalog description
Anxious to get her son to sleep, Mrs. Mouse goes off to find what she thinks he wants.

From the Inside Flap
Just as Mrs. Mouse kisses baby mouse goodnight, he cries, “Mother, Mother, I want another!” His concerned mama rushes off to invite other mothers—Mrs. Duck, Mrs. Frog, Mrs. Pig, and Mrs. Donkey—to help put her son to bed. But baby mouse doesn’t want another mother. Will Mrs. Mouse discover what her son really wants?

A delightful comedy of errors perfect for Mother’s Day, Mother, Mother, I Want Another has been heartwarmingly re-illustrated by acclaimed artist Jon Goodell.

About the Author
Maria Polushkin Robbins is the author of several books for children as well as many award-winning cookbooks. She lives in East Hampton, NY.

Jon Goodell is the illustrator of Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night and Andiamo, Weasel! He lives in Norman, OK.


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A classic bedtime story (originally 1978, with illustrations by Diane Dawson) gets a well-earned reissue with handsome new art. Mrs. Mouse tucks baby mouse in and gives him a goodnight kiss-then, responding to his request for "another, mother," she hustles out to round up alternative parents: Mrs. Duck, Mrs. Frog, Mrs. Pig, and Mrs. Donkey, each of whom sings him a lullaby-"Quack, quack, mousie, / Don't you fret. / I'll bring you worms / Both fat and wet." Goodell offers finely brushed, richly colored naturalistic settings, though he places baby mouse in a cozily appointed tree-trunk house, and dresses the maternal menagerie in cropped pants, house dresses, and other domestic wear. Baby mouse at last has enough: "I want another KISS!" The light dawning, each mother proceeds to oblige, ending with a relieved Mrs. Mouse. Younger children will adore this now, as they did a generation ago. (Picture book. 4-7)


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