Martha Ann and the Mother Store

By Nathaniel Charnley and Betty Jo Charnley

Book Overview

A young child rebels against her mother's discipline. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 015252150X
• ISBN13: 9780152521509
• Release Date: January 1973
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt P
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A young child rebels against her mother's discipline

Martha Ann hates putting her toys away, wiping her shoes on the mat, and going to bed early at night. Her mother insists that she do all these things, so she takes her mother to The Mother Store and trades her in for a new mother. Mrs. Harris doesn't care if Martha Ann tidies her room. Unfortunately, Mrs. Harris is just as casual about her own room, which is soon buried under a heap of clutter. Martha Ann swaps Mrs. Harris for Mrs. Dunne, who lets Martha Ann stay up late. When Martha Ann is completely exhausted, she wants to be tucked in, but Mrs. Harris is still watching television. Martha Ann exchanges Mrs. Harris for Mrs. Allen, who doesn't mind when Martha Ann doesn't wipe her feet. Mrs. Allen is careless and messy, so when the house becomes dirty, Martha Ann switches her for Mrs. Clemington, who picks up after Martha Ann, cleans up her messes, and lets her stay up late. Although Mrs. Clemington initially seems like an ideal parent, she has neither the time or nor the inclination to mother Martha Ann. Martha Ann finally begins to appreciate her mother's loving ways, and the two reach an affectionate understanding when Martha Ann retrieves her mother from The Mother Store. This memorable picture book is profusely illustrated with large, detailed black and white line drawings on each page. While the plot is very similar to that of the chapter book The Mommy Market by Nancy Brelis (UK title The Mummy Market), the text is much shorter and the plot easier for a young child to comprehend, particularly since there is no magic involved. This amusing little fantasy teaches youngsters a fine lesson without being heavy handed, and it's a shame that it is no longer in print.