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Ramona and Her Mother Review

"Ramona And Her Mother" is a later entry in the Ramona & Beezus series, and yet it is also one of the finest books of its kind, another in a long line of great books by the masterful Beverly Cleary.

First pubished in 1979, the book finds the gauzy comfort of the Eisenhower era (when the first Henry Huggins and Beezus books were written) replaced by the strain and worry of the recessionary 'Seventies. Ramona's dad, who recently lost his job, has found new work at a local supermarket, but he doesn't like the position, and having both parents out working full-time places new strains on the family. Ramona, who is now seven years old, is no longer an overt brat, but there's a lot going on in her little head, as she struggles with the demands that come with growing up. She is envious of her teenage older sister, who she sees as a goodie-goodie and as her parent's favorite. Her relationship with her mom seems to be up in the air as well, and her parents, both tired from long days at work, have started to argue, which worries the kids. Of course, Cleary finds the silver lining, and while young readers may both recognize their own families (and become anxious for exactly the same reasons as Ramona does) Cleary magically produces happy endings that still do not deny the hardships and imperfections of life. If you've enjoyed Ramona's earlier adventures, you will not be disappointed with this funny, quick volume. (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

Ramona and Her Mother Overview

Beverly Cleary has given books to each member of the Quimby household except Mrs. Quimby. Now she gets her turn at last in a story that hits the high and low points of a working mother's life as seen from Ramona's seven-and-a-half-year-old viewpoint.

Inevitably domestic tensions, not without their amusing side, occasionally arise. Mr. and Mrs. Quimby sometimes forget who is to do what, as when the Crock-Pot is not plugged in and dinner remains uncooked. Beezus acquires a ludicrous teased hairdo at the student body shop while Ramona gets a becoming pixie haircut. Ramona, who feels unloved, takes to twitching her nose like a rabbit in a cozy picture book until her teacher becomes concerned that something is making her nervous.

Yet Ramona is wrong. She is loved, and readers will rejoice with her when she discovers the wonderful truth. Few writers today are as skilled as Mrs. Cleary at showing families in the round, and here she is at the peak of her powers.

Ramona and Her Mother Specifications

At 7 and a half, with working parents and a sister at "a difficult age," Ramona Quimby tries hard to do her part to keep family peace. Usually, however, she ends up behind every uproarious incident in the house. Whether she's dying herself blue, watching while her young neighbor flings Kleenex around the house, or wearing her soft new pajamas to school one day (under her clothes, of course), Ramona's life is never dull. Through it all, she is struggling for a place in her mother's heart, worried that she might be unlovable. Not a chance. Ramona Quimby is nothing if not lovable.

Beverly Cleary's gift for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckily, in addition to being empathic, witty, and astute, Cleary is also prolific. She has created over two dozen children's books, and been presented with many awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, as well as the Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father and for Ramona Quimby, Age 8. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

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Customer Reviews

Super Fast Shipping!!!! - Kelly J. Rutherford - Iraq
I just ordered this and my daughter has already received and read it several time....Super Fast Shipping!!!!

A GREAT BOOK! - L. Marantz - Kaneohe, HI
I thought it was excellent and I would recommend it to a lot of people. I have read a lot of books about Ramona.

Spirited but sped-up - otternymph - Sunnyside, Queens, NY
I loved Ramona Quimby as a child and discovered that as an adult, I still love her! I bought three audio books narrated by Stockard Channing, who performs mostly fantastic voices for each of the characters and reads with great spirit, but my chief complaint is:

Did it have to be so fast? Sometimes it sounds as if the producers sped up the tapes to fit all the narration onto two CDs. Sometimes Channing gulps and swallows her words, and if I didn't know the text so well, I would have no idea what she was saying. I still enjoy the recording, but it is really vexing to be unable to understand her!

Otherwise, this reading is spirited, warm and brings you closer to Ramona! Cleary's depiction of a child's psyche is absolutely accurate. Kids should enjoy Ramona's rambunctious, totally rational (to her eyes) behavior, and Channing's enthusiastic (if speedy) reading.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 01, 2010 07:45:06

Children's Books

Friday, October 1, 2010