Review by Booklist Review
Ages 2-6. The 1972 edition of this picture book , showing a loving Inuit family, was a quiet volume that spoke to children with unexpected power. In the new edition, the illustrator replaces her original artwork (expressive black ink drawings with brown washes) with softly delineated pastel drawings showing a different Inuit family--the young mother here could be the baby girl from the first edition, 20 years later. While those who loved the old version will miss the original illustrations, children coming fresh to the book will find it as simple and comforting as a rocking chair ride on mother's lap. A classic, re-illustrated with finesse. (Reviewed Apr. 1, 1992)0395589207Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The furnishings are few in this chilly Eskimo dwelling, but when Michael jumps in Mother's lap, the love between them warms the room, as ``back and forth, back and forth, they rock.'' Michael runs to get Dolly, then his carved boat, a reindeer blanket and even his puppy: the small rocking chair is full. When Baby cries, Mother insists there's room for her too, but Michael pouts and hides. All of them end up back in the chair, crowded but cozy; Michael admits, ``It feels good.'' Pastels in earth tones and turquoise create a luminous setting with the captivating faces of the serene mother and her two small children. Though the story is very slight, it makes a reassuring point for little ones, who need to know that a mother's love is an expandable quantity. Ages 2-5. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-- An update of the 1972 collaboration (McGraw-Hill; o.p.). Coalson improves upon a fine original work, drawing the Eskimo mother as a younger woman and adding color, finer lines, and details of contemporary Inuit life. Scott's spare, gentle text has not been altered; the difference is its placement on the page. The universality of all-encompassing maternal love transcends ethnicity and still rings true in the update, but Coalson's realistic, warm illustrations give On Mother's Lap revitalized energy to reach a new generation of youngsters. Libraries still owning the earlier work can get by, but this one is a top choice. --Mollie Bynum, Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Sitting on his mother's lap, a young Eskimo boy cheerfully gathers his belongings until he, some toys, his puppy, and a blanket are all crowded together in the rocking chair. When his baby sister cries, the boy claims there is no room for her, but Mother proves him wrong, and the threesome settle comfortably in the chair. Soft illustrations depict a cozy scene and a loving family. From HORN BOOK 1992, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
