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Mama Always Comes Home
Mama Bird and Mama Cat and even teensy-weensy Mama Mole must leave their little ones from time to time; but in the end, mamas always come home. Karma Wilson's reassuring text, paired with Brooke Dyer's colorful and comforting mother-child illustrations, shows that -- rain or shine, in a tree or in the sea -- mamas everywhere find their way home with cozy hugs and lots of love, because Mama Always Comes Home .
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2005
About the author
Karma Wilson
112 books528 followersKarma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 4, 2008
I got this for my therapy office because it contains the positive message that mothers of many species leave their children to go get food, protect their young, etc., but that they always come back. It normalizes mothers leaving, but emphasizes that the connection between parent and child isn't harmed by Mom being away--it instead focuses on mother's time away being a positive thing that benefits the family and the mother.
January 29, 2015
Very cute story about Mama's of all kinds having to leave their little ones behind, but how they always come back home.
This would make a great story for a mother who is returning back to work after having spent time on leave at home with her children, or a mother going away on a trip without her family.
I love the pictures in the book as well, very cute and well Illustrated.
This would make a great story for a mother who is returning back to work after having spent time on leave at home with her children, or a mother going away on a trip without her family.
I love the pictures in the book as well, very cute and well Illustrated.
December 4, 2017
Mama Always Comes Home / by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Brooke Dyer -- New York : HarperCollins Publishers, c2005. (32 pages)
SUMMARY: Rain or shine, in a tree or in the sea -- mamas everywhere find their way home with cozy hugs and lots of love, because Mama always comes home. (book jacket)
REVIEW: Supplies the basic concept that no matter what Mama ALWAYS comes home. Through a variety of animal mothers it show the Mother needed to leave for short periods of time but ALWAYS returning to the baby she left behind. The end of the story includes a small child that watches the car leave the house and ends in hugs and kisses when she returns. While the illustrations are soft muted colors and lovely pictures, I'm wondering why is was necessary to but scarves on the mother cat and dog and even Mama bird which also has a quilt blanket for her nested birds. I also have a problem with the word ALWAYS since one can not predict the future. The mother might ALWAYS love her children but something beyond her control might keep her from returning (so in my opinion it give a false sense of security)
SUMMARY: Rain or shine, in a tree or in the sea -- mamas everywhere find their way home with cozy hugs and lots of love, because Mama always comes home. (book jacket)
REVIEW: Supplies the basic concept that no matter what Mama ALWAYS comes home. Through a variety of animal mothers it show the Mother needed to leave for short periods of time but ALWAYS returning to the baby she left behind. The end of the story includes a small child that watches the car leave the house and ends in hugs and kisses when she returns. While the illustrations are soft muted colors and lovely pictures, I'm wondering why is was necessary to but scarves on the mother cat and dog and even Mama bird which also has a quilt blanket for her nested birds. I also have a problem with the word ALWAYS since one can not predict the future. The mother might ALWAYS love her children but something beyond her control might keep her from returning (so in my opinion it give a false sense of security)
December 7, 2020
A book about how animal moms and human moms have to leave their babies sometimes, but they will be back.
A sweet book for moms returning to work. The rhythm of the text is a little odd at times.
A sweet book for moms returning to work. The rhythm of the text is a little odd at times.
July 3, 2023
I Love My Cat
December 3, 2016
Every child loves their momma, no matter the circumstance. In an elementary school, about Kindergarten age this would be a great picture book to read. It covers that no matter what happens in life, when momma leaves she will always be right back. I remember watching videos, and even experiencing myself that children seem to attach to momma and are constantly concerned on where that person is. As for example, while babysitting my niece and nephew wake up in the morning and first thing they ask me is where momma is. It's so cute to see the bond that is formed.
September 10, 2014
What a way to pull at the heartstrings! WOW! Beautifully written,... way to explain to a young child that even though Mama has to leave them that it won't be forever and she comes back. Ms Wilson uses the animal world to help explain this (cats, dogs, birds, dolphins, horses etc) then at the end talks about her and her baby... helps a child to see like the book says "Mama's everywhere' and they always come back to their babies...
April 23, 2007
This book is a sweet reminder to your child that even though you have to leave, you'll always return to them. And it's good to read as the mother, too, because it reminded me that there are many types of mothers in the animal kingdom who must leave their young to go and get food for them (i.e., provide for them). Of course, sometimes those young get eaten by predators, but let's not go there.
October 27, 2011
A good friend gave this to me when I had my first child. I work full time and just love this book. My little guy always knows I'm coming back just like all the mama's in the book. Hate that it's out of print and so hard to get a nice copy under $30, but I'm always on the lookout to give as a gift.
April 26, 2013
This book is about how no matter what mom’s will always be back. They may leave for a little but have no fear they will be back to take care of their babies. It gives various examples of animals and people in which moms come back for and what they are there to do. It shows the loving of mothers and how their one task is to take care of their babies.
February 19, 2014
Beautiful and cute book that shows us the love for your mother in different species and as always mama returns to home.Is a good book to help children who suffer from anxiety when they have to leave to his mother to go to school or when mama have to works.
L.E. invite a MOM to stay a while in the classroom, participating in the activities of the day.
Genre: Love Emotions
May 5, 2014
I think this books helps a child understand the concept why a mom has to leave them but always comes back to their child. its very sweet. i have read it to my nephew who use to always cry when his mom had to leave him with his grandparents. As he is older, he understands why his parents leave him because they have to work. He even says, he can relate to this book!
May 9, 2015
This was not a fun read but is an important book for many parents to read with their children. Multiple animal mothers (followed by a human mama) are used to demonstrate different situations where a mother might leave their child yet "mama always comes home." A great book for children with separation anxiety or simply reassurance for any child.
February 26, 2011
A perfect book for children who may be suffering separation anxiety when mother leaves for work or any other reason. The reassuring rhymes and lovely illustrations assure children that mothers of various species always come home to their families.
January 17, 2014
After I had to cut short a visit to my nephew's because my children were both home sobbing inconsolably, I got them a few of this type of book at the library. I preferred this one, but they preferred the Llama one.
March 30, 2015
I liked this book. I would read it on the first day of school to younger students to help them remember that they will see their families at the end of the school day. I liked how the book showed so many examples from nature.
January 12, 2009
Karma does such a great job with rhyme. I like the fact that this story doesn't cover just human moms, but animals too.
January 14, 2009
A really sweet book that reminds your child that you will always be there. Would be great to read before you leave for a trip or a long day without your child.
April 17, 2010
Sweet rhyming story that's great for any kid who's having some separation anxiety... A nice reassuring story.
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March 21, 2011Great message for when you're leaving for work or overnight. Reiterates that mama (and daddy!) always come back. Wonderful watercolor illustrations too!
July 28, 2011
this was the perfect book to read to my son before I had to go back to work. we read it often
November 18, 2011
A sweet story of mothers who may have to leave for short periods of time but always return home.
March 7, 2012
A very reassuring book for young children. I think I will buy this book for Angie. We checked it out from the library and she likes it so much.
May 2, 2013
Would be a good title to suggest when separation anxiety is an issue.
March 18, 2014
Cute, rhyming, nourishing story helping the child with separation anxiety. Parallels are drawn between animals leaving their nests and returning home.
September 8, 2014
Such a cute and sweet book with a good message for children. I love the way Wilson rhymes, it is soothing and natural--and this is true for all her books!
November 14, 2014
A great book for working moms, or stay-at-home moms who are planning to go away for the first time.
January 26, 2015
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews