A realistic story about a small child’s feelings when an important person has gone away.
Author: Hannamari Ruohonen
Finnish original: Kadonnut äitini
Publisher: S&S, 2017
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Fiction
Number of pages: 30 pp.
Reading material: Finnish original, English Sample
“One day, when I was sitting on the steps, I met Teddy. Teddy looked cross; his woollen suit was too tight and gave him an itchy bottom, and his breath smelled. He showed me his terrible teeth and teased me about the fact that my mum had gone away.
But we still became friends. It was fun to play with him and mess things up and scatter all mum’s things this way and that. Because if mum didn’t want to be with me, then I didn’t want to be with mum any more!”
Touching, tender and filled with warm colour, My Lost Mother describes the bafflement, grief and anger that result when mum is suddenly no longer where she ought to be. But fortunately there is dad, who hugs and comforts.
This first picture-book by the illustrator Hannamari Ruohonen is a convincing glimpse into a child’s world. The colourful and energetic book explores a difficult subject with a delicate but confident touch.
Also available:
Kaisa’s and Oskar’s Book of Outings (2019)
Kaisa’s and Oskar’s Book of Favourites (2018)
About the author:
Hannamari Ruohonen