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Mama's Bank Account
The charming adventures of the Mama of an immigrant Norwegian family living in San Francisco. This bestselling book inspired the play, motion picture, and television series I Remember Mama.
147 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
59 people are currently reading
3554 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Forbes
6 books28 followersForbes, born Kathryn Anderson, was the granddaughter of Norwegian immigrants. She was a writer best known for Mama's Bank Account, a fictionalized memoir about a Norwegian family in 1920s San Francisco. The book focused on the warmhearted family and its struggles and dreams. The book inspired first a play, then a movie, and finally a TV series, all called I Remember Mama.
Forbes also published novel called Transfer Point, about a daughter of divorced parents. This was considered to have been based on Forbes' own childhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
August 27, 2019
This is the "novel" which forms the basis for the play and movie "I Remember Mama" written by John Van Druten. It is little more than a series of vignettes, but they are realistic as well as heart-warming and not unduly sentimental.
It tells the story of the hardscrabble existence of a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco in the early years of the 20th Century. Papa is a good man and a hard worker, but it is "Mama's" force of character and indomitable love which holds the family together.
I'm a big fan of the George Stevens' movie and especially of the luminous performance of a forty-nine-year-old Irene Dunne as "Mama" Marta Hanson. Forbes' book did not disappoint me and my fond memories of Dunne, and that in itself is a tribute to the books's honesty and sincerity.
November 2, 2011
Sometimes when I am down I long for the era of polite books for grownups - books that don't need sex, violence, heartbreak, or 50-cent metaphors to entertain. Forbes' memoiresque style is sweet as she shares the travails of a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco. The title story is the nicest. Big thanks to the librarian who stuck this old book club edition (sternly marked No Renewals with a long-ago stamp) on the end-cap display for me to find. There is something friendly about paper so old the edges are soft.
October 4, 2012
I have to preface my review with something my sister wrote in her review: "Mama is everything in a person that I wake up every morning wishing I could be. Also, if I were ever to try and write a book, this is the kind of book I would want it to be."
Mama seriously was amazing. This book is autobiographical; the author is writing about her family and Mama is the author's mother. The book was published 1943. I was impressed throughout the novel by Mama's common sense, wisdom, love, and work ethic.
Mama is definitely the kind of mother that I hope I can be to my children.
I really love books written during this time period. Life wasn't perfect, but they choose to focus on the parts that are inspiring and helpful. If you don't find "old" books slow and boring but rather beautiful and charming, then you will like this one.
The following excerpt was beautiful, in my opinion. How many families today would make those kind of sacrifices for a son or brother? I think many today would turn first to the government or a bank loan rather than give up personal time or enjoyments. (Although I am sure there are still families like this.)
"When Nels graduated from grammar school he wanted to go on to High. 'Is good,' Mama said, and Papa nodded approvingly.
'It will cost a little money,' Nels said.
Eagerly we brought up chairs and gathered around the table. I took down the gaily painted box that Aunt Sigrid had sent us from Norway one Christmas and laid it carefully in front of Mama.
This was the 'Little Bank.' Not to be confused, you understand, with the big Bank downtown. . . .
Nels had it all written out neatly. So much for carfare, for clothes, for notebooks and supplies. Mama looked at the figures for a long time. Then she counted out the money in the Little Bank. There was not enough.
She pursed her lips. 'We do not,' she reminded us gently, 'want to have to go to the Bank.'
We all shook our heads.
'I will work in Dillon's grocery shop after school,' Nels volunteered.
Mama gave him a bright smile and laboriously wrote down a sum and added and subtracted. Papa did it in his head. He was very quick on arithmetic. 'Is not enough,' he said. Then he took his pipe out of his mouth and looked at it for a long time. 'I give up tobacco,' he said suddenly.
Mama reached across the table and touched Papa's sleeve, but she didn't say anything. Just wrote down another figure.
'I will mind the Elvington children every Friday night,' I said. 'Christine can help me.'
'Is good,' Mama said.
We all felt very good. We had passed another milestone without having to go downtown and draw money out of Mama's Bank Account. The Little Bank was sufficient for the present."
"Mama said earnestly: 'Is not good for little ones to be afraid—to not feel secure.'"
All I can say about that quote is that I completely agree. It is an important job for a parent to help children feel safe and secure. Sadly, it is not always possible.
I really like how the following excerpt expresses the difference between a child doing something bad and actually being bad.
"Haltingly, I told her of my crime. And when I got to the part about Mrs. Schiller, she stopped rocking and just held me—tight.
I waited for Mama's answer. Mama could be strict, even stern, when we children had done wrong. I knew that I had sinned dreadfully, and now it was only right and just that I be punished.
Mama stood up so quickly I almost fell. She walked over to the sink and took a drink of water. Her back was so straight, so rigid, I started to cry again.
'Oh, please,' I begged. 'Please, Mama, don't you be angry too.'
She turned and hurried to me, took my shaking hands in hers.
'Not with you, Katrin,' she said earnestly. 'It is with—but, yes, that can wait. Now—look at me, Daughter.'
I looked into her quiet face, watched her mouth try to smile.
'This is important, my Katrin. Perhaps I cannot explain it so well, but you must not ever feel here'—she touched me—'in your heart, that you are what you said. A—a thief. A bad girl.'
'But, Mama, I did take them—and Mrs. Schiller said—'
'No, Mama, I guess I'm not bad.'
'Is good. Now, you will peel potatoes for dinner and set the table. I'—Mama's gentle voice hardened—'I have a call to make.'
And Mama wasn't smiling a bit as she marched out the door."
Mama seriously was amazing. This book is autobiographical; the author is writing about her family and Mama is the author's mother. The book was published 1943. I was impressed throughout the novel by Mama's common sense, wisdom, love, and work ethic.
Mama is definitely the kind of mother that I hope I can be to my children.
I really love books written during this time period. Life wasn't perfect, but they choose to focus on the parts that are inspiring and helpful. If you don't find "old" books slow and boring but rather beautiful and charming, then you will like this one.
The following excerpt was beautiful, in my opinion. How many families today would make those kind of sacrifices for a son or brother? I think many today would turn first to the government or a bank loan rather than give up personal time or enjoyments. (Although I am sure there are still families like this.)
"When Nels graduated from grammar school he wanted to go on to High. 'Is good,' Mama said, and Papa nodded approvingly.
'It will cost a little money,' Nels said.
Eagerly we brought up chairs and gathered around the table. I took down the gaily painted box that Aunt Sigrid had sent us from Norway one Christmas and laid it carefully in front of Mama.
This was the 'Little Bank.' Not to be confused, you understand, with the big Bank downtown. . . .
Nels had it all written out neatly. So much for carfare, for clothes, for notebooks and supplies. Mama looked at the figures for a long time. Then she counted out the money in the Little Bank. There was not enough.
She pursed her lips. 'We do not,' she reminded us gently, 'want to have to go to the Bank.'
We all shook our heads.
'I will work in Dillon's grocery shop after school,' Nels volunteered.
Mama gave him a bright smile and laboriously wrote down a sum and added and subtracted. Papa did it in his head. He was very quick on arithmetic. 'Is not enough,' he said. Then he took his pipe out of his mouth and looked at it for a long time. 'I give up tobacco,' he said suddenly.
Mama reached across the table and touched Papa's sleeve, but she didn't say anything. Just wrote down another figure.
'I will mind the Elvington children every Friday night,' I said. 'Christine can help me.'
'Is good,' Mama said.
We all felt very good. We had passed another milestone without having to go downtown and draw money out of Mama's Bank Account. The Little Bank was sufficient for the present."
"Mama said earnestly: 'Is not good for little ones to be afraid—to not feel secure.'"
All I can say about that quote is that I completely agree. It is an important job for a parent to help children feel safe and secure. Sadly, it is not always possible.
I really like how the following excerpt expresses the difference between a child doing something bad and actually being bad.
"Haltingly, I told her of my crime. And when I got to the part about Mrs. Schiller, she stopped rocking and just held me—tight.
I waited for Mama's answer. Mama could be strict, even stern, when we children had done wrong. I knew that I had sinned dreadfully, and now it was only right and just that I be punished.
Mama stood up so quickly I almost fell. She walked over to the sink and took a drink of water. Her back was so straight, so rigid, I started to cry again.
'Oh, please,' I begged. 'Please, Mama, don't you be angry too.'
She turned and hurried to me, took my shaking hands in hers.
'Not with you, Katrin,' she said earnestly. 'It is with—but, yes, that can wait. Now—look at me, Daughter.'
I looked into her quiet face, watched her mouth try to smile.
'This is important, my Katrin. Perhaps I cannot explain it so well, but you must not ever feel here'—she touched me—'in your heart, that you are what you said. A—a thief. A bad girl.'
'But, Mama, I did take them—and Mrs. Schiller said—'
'No, Mama, I guess I'm not bad.'
'Is good. Now, you will peel potatoes for dinner and set the table. I'—Mama's gentle voice hardened—'I have a call to make.'
And Mama wasn't smiling a bit as she marched out the door."
February 1, 2019
Is good.
August 6, 2010
Delightful! I was humbled by how patiently, yet determinedly, this mother worked toward solutions for her family's needs. She sacrificed, but without feeling martyred. Very memorable...
January 8, 2012
This was such a PLEASANT book to read! Thanks to my sister for sharing her copy with me. It was the most basic story of human love and kindness displayed by a mother towards her family. Amazing how a little love and guidance can go such a long way! Required reading in my opinion!!
February 19, 2024
Read to with Kelsey (although I read it a couple months late)
I loved, loved, LOVED this collection of stories. This has been a favorite of my mom's for years, but this is my first time reading it. This collection of memories of growing up in a Norwegian-American family in San Francisco in the 1900s was delightful. It didn't take me long to read, but it's te kind of collection of sweet stories that makes you want to gather people around and read them aloud over and over again.
Just delightful.
I loved, loved, LOVED this collection of stories. This has been a favorite of my mom's for years, but this is my first time reading it. This collection of memories of growing up in a Norwegian-American family in San Francisco in the 1900s was delightful. It didn't take me long to read, but it's te kind of collection of sweet stories that makes you want to gather people around and read them aloud over and over again.
Just delightful.
March 2, 2015
I fell in love with this book in the first chapter. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoy sweet stories full of good family values. Mama reminded me of my grandmother. I was teary eyed by the end of most of the chapters. I read several chapters out loud to Dax, and he enjoyed them. I came across this title, when looking for something similar to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The writing is much simpler than Tree, but for me, I think the story is just as good.
November 14, 2013
"I Remember Mama" is one of my Mom's favorite movies. She bought me a copy of it and for some reason I have not watched it yet. I came across this book that was the inspiration for the movie and play and tv series. I loved it! My Dad's father is from Norway, so I loved that Mama and Papa are from Norway. The stories are sweet and memorable. Love feel good books. I read some of it to my husband and he enjoyed it as well.
March 12, 2018
This was a enjoyable read. I had watched "I Remember Mama" many years ago and don't really remember it much, but reading this book brought back little memories. Yet it was so much more than that. It is the story of a family. It wasn't a perfect family, and they didn't always agree, but what family does? Each chapter is a little story all its own, yet they build on the others to create a lovely tale.
December 25, 2022
Review coming soon!
April 13, 2020
5 stars. I read this book at least 4 times as a kid and LOVED it. Each chapter is a short story about a Norweigan family in San Francisco--time period somewhat nebulous--based on the author's life 1908 to 1966--probably these stories are set in the 1920's.
There is a sweetness and the stories are nothing but wholesome--yet there is a realism of the difficulty and harshness of life--tempered with happy outcomes that could only be fictional.
It is important to note that as a child, I believed every word in the book was the absolute truth, and that the author was writing about her actual family, rather than the one she wished she'd had, which is more likely the case. She also drew from stories told by her grandparents and other relatives, as well as from her own life lessons.
The Mama character is wonderful--strong, kind, wise and gentle. Katrin is loveable and believable. You just love this hard-working family from page one. It is a coming-of-age story about the oldest daughter, Katrin, and her teenage tribulations and desire to fit in, her impulsivity and her journey from self-centered to family-centered.
I adored learning about Norweigan culture--both distinct from and similar to my German background.
My least favorite character was Christine (Katrin's younger smug cold know-it-all sister)--but she was a good character, as were all the others.
I am now reading this book aloud to my 60-year-old husband and he totally loves it.
Highly recommend for anyone of any age as a Feel-Good Nostalgia book about how life could be and should be in families.
This book Belongs on a shelf next to A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Caddie Woodlawn and Lassie
Come-Home.
There is a sweetness and the stories are nothing but wholesome--yet there is a realism of the difficulty and harshness of life--tempered with happy outcomes that could only be fictional.
It is important to note that as a child, I believed every word in the book was the absolute truth, and that the author was writing about her actual family, rather than the one she wished she'd had, which is more likely the case. She also drew from stories told by her grandparents and other relatives, as well as from her own life lessons.
The Mama character is wonderful--strong, kind, wise and gentle. Katrin is loveable and believable. You just love this hard-working family from page one. It is a coming-of-age story about the oldest daughter, Katrin, and her teenage tribulations and desire to fit in, her impulsivity and her journey from self-centered to family-centered.
I adored learning about Norweigan culture--both distinct from and similar to my German background.
My least favorite character was Christine (Katrin's younger smug cold know-it-all sister)--but she was a good character, as were all the others.
I am now reading this book aloud to my 60-year-old husband and he totally loves it.
Highly recommend for anyone of any age as a Feel-Good Nostalgia book about how life could be and should be in families.
This book Belongs on a shelf next to A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Caddie Woodlawn and Lassie
Come-Home.
January 17, 2016
I read this aloud to the kids for school. I thought it was a great book! The kids really seemed to enjoy it too. It's about a Norwegian immigrant family living in San Fransisco during the early 1900s. It's written from the perspective of Katryn, one of the daughters, and it's based on her own life. The warmth and family love make this book something special. "Mama" is a key character of each chapter and her resourcefulness, determination, and compassion really shine. I highly recommend this story. It's sort of like Little House on the Prairie -- Norwegian style.
Content Warning: One h-word on page 80.
Content Warning: One h-word on page 80.
May 11, 2015
To quote Katrin's dear mother, "Is good. Is very good." I loved the tales of her and her Norwegian family as they grew up in San Francisco, with the security of their parent's love, and Mama's Bank Account! It deserves every star.
January 8, 2025
What a lovely book. How have I never heard of this book? A fictionalized memoir about a Norwegian family living in San Fransico. It read much like "A Tree Grows and Brooklyn" but was more episodic like the Little House series. And the parents were more like Caroline and Charles than Johnny and Katie. It would make and great read-a-loud!
February 9, 2025
A charming story, told in vignettes, about a turn-of-the-century Norwegian immigrant family living in San Francisco. Mama inspired a movie, a television series, and a play, all successful. Warm memories of another time. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2020
4.5/5. A series of 17 pretty realistic non-gimmicky stories about a Norwegian immigrant family (Mama and Papa being the immigrants, children American born) in San Francisco in the early twentieth century - mostly happy ones with quite a few bittersweet moments, sprinkled with some humor. I came across this book in a review for Penrod.
This has got to be one of the best works in the genre - a sublime representation of family. Granted, as far as this genre is concerned, I have watched more than I have read, but I think I have a good guess here. Though it'd be interesting to explore similar works which came before this, especially the ones which might have inspired the author.
It also struck me how I couldn't recall anything from religious literature on this *particular* and important genre(/aspect of living) rivalling a work such as this. It might be there somewhere, but it sure isn't prominent.
And it is a *good* family here - responsible, hardworking parents and decent children, even if the finances aren't always great. And there are the aunts, the uncles, and the friends, with whom the family maintains warm relations. The portrayal of the caring, responsible father is particularly touching for me, because, well, I don't have much first hand experience with that.
Even many non-human mammals have perfected the dynamics of the family. It's quite something to see a large section of humanity being inept at it, even though procreation may come a lot easier.
The stories deal with working together to get through challenges and to experience the joys of life... financial uncertainties, making sacrifices, dealing with iffy characters, medical episodes, interactions with the extended family, death, moving homes, building businesses, dealing with being immigrants, children growing up and developing good character, making friends, getting and giving help, graduations, getting jobs, matchmaking, and the birth of a beautiful grandchild.
Is it too perfect - a family fully made up of (moderately to highly) competent, healthy, AND decent people? From my skewed perspective it seemed so at first. But the more I thought about nice people I know about, the more this apprehension subsided. Also, they don't have it all perfect - finances being unstable at time and being immigrants, to name a couple. More on the family helping their extended family would have corrected some slight imbalances too.
Let's further get into some stuff which may seem overanalyzing, but I find interesting - I already made a comparison with what's 'considered' 'Holy' and ideal.
In many ways, what is represented is quite an ideal way of going about life - doing productive work, raising the next generation, and being a good part of the society. It doesn't cover all the different ways life can get tricky, but still. Speaking of trickiness, the place and time are pertinent - not sure if it's supposed to be before WW1, if there wasn't much societal upheaval urging political participation, etc. Having 5 children is also a notable aspect - in some cases, it can be apt for criticism. Interestingly, not much is discussed about what part religion plays in Mama's family.
It obviously draws a lot from the author's own experiences but I didn't explore a lot on the extent of the similarity. BTW, she was born Kathryn Anderson - in case her Scottish pen name confuses you about her Norwegian heritage.
On a side note, a few minor but expected details aren't mentioned (unless I missed a line or two) e.g. the exact time period this takes place in, and the surname of the family.
There are quite a few high-quality adaptations of the book to the screen too. Those would be fascinating to try.
I find myself a bit confused about the genre categorization - in film/tv there's the 'drama' genre for 'serious fiction'. Drama seems to mean something different in literature. And 'Comedy' can be a tricky term due to the weird usage associated with the Shakespearean stuff.
Literary fiction?
Of course, it's a great read for children too. Indeed some of the stories could fit right in in a school textbook. Here in India, we had (have?) quite a good selection in our books.
I think this is good enough a review for now. This is one of the more special books for sure.
This has got to be one of the best works in the genre - a sublime representation of family. Granted, as far as this genre is concerned, I have watched more than I have read, but I think I have a good guess here. Though it'd be interesting to explore similar works which came before this, especially the ones which might have inspired the author.
It also struck me how I couldn't recall anything from religious literature on this *particular* and important genre(/aspect of living) rivalling a work such as this. It might be there somewhere, but it sure isn't prominent.
And it is a *good* family here - responsible, hardworking parents and decent children, even if the finances aren't always great. And there are the aunts, the uncles, and the friends, with whom the family maintains warm relations. The portrayal of the caring, responsible father is particularly touching for me, because, well, I don't have much first hand experience with that.
Even many non-human mammals have perfected the dynamics of the family. It's quite something to see a large section of humanity being inept at it, even though procreation may come a lot easier.
The stories deal with working together to get through challenges and to experience the joys of life... financial uncertainties, making sacrifices, dealing with iffy characters, medical episodes, interactions with the extended family, death, moving homes, building businesses, dealing with being immigrants, children growing up and developing good character, making friends, getting and giving help, graduations, getting jobs, matchmaking, and the birth of a beautiful grandchild.
Is it too perfect - a family fully made up of (moderately to highly) competent, healthy, AND decent people? From my skewed perspective it seemed so at first. But the more I thought about nice people I know about, the more this apprehension subsided. Also, they don't have it all perfect - finances being unstable at time and being immigrants, to name a couple. More on the family helping their extended family would have corrected some slight imbalances too.
Let's further get into some stuff which may seem overanalyzing, but I find interesting - I already made a comparison with what's 'considered' 'Holy' and ideal.
In many ways, what is represented is quite an ideal way of going about life - doing productive work, raising the next generation, and being a good part of the society. It doesn't cover all the different ways life can get tricky, but still. Speaking of trickiness, the place and time are pertinent - not sure if it's supposed to be before WW1, if there wasn't much societal upheaval urging political participation, etc. Having 5 children is also a notable aspect - in some cases, it can be apt for criticism. Interestingly, not much is discussed about what part religion plays in Mama's family.
It obviously draws a lot from the author's own experiences but I didn't explore a lot on the extent of the similarity. BTW, she was born Kathryn Anderson - in case her Scottish pen name confuses you about her Norwegian heritage.
On a side note, a few minor but expected details aren't mentioned (unless I missed a line or two) e.g. the exact time period this takes place in, and the surname of the family.
There are quite a few high-quality adaptations of the book to the screen too. Those would be fascinating to try.
I find myself a bit confused about the genre categorization - in film/tv there's the 'drama' genre for 'serious fiction'. Drama seems to mean something different in literature. And 'Comedy' can be a tricky term due to the weird usage associated with the Shakespearean stuff.
Literary fiction?
Of course, it's a great read for children too. Indeed some of the stories could fit right in in a school textbook. Here in India, we had (have?) quite a good selection in our books.
I think this is good enough a review for now. This is one of the more special books for sure.
March 22, 2019
Most readers today will likely scoff at this little book as being dated, sentimental and idealistic. I beg to disagree. Certainly it harkens back to a far more innocent time, a time when family mattered above all else, a time of optimism in the future that recent immigrant families were creating for themselves in America. A time when people actually believed that nonsense engraved on the base of Lady Liberty.
Having read far too many dystopian novels these days and just suffered through far too many evening newscasts, I really needed to go back and read Kathryn Forbes' set of vignettes about her courageous, resourceful, devoted Mama.
Having read far too many dystopian novels these days and just suffered through far too many evening newscasts, I really needed to go back and read Kathryn Forbes' set of vignettes about her courageous, resourceful, devoted Mama.
March 30, 2019
This book was published in 1943
I remember my Grandparents watching the CBS television series ,it ran from 1949 to 1959,I was never interested in watching the show probably because I thought it was a show for old people.
A few months ago I viewed the movie version on TCM and I have to say that it was a marvelous movie and I had to buy the book from Amazon.
Each story of the book tells us what was happening in Kathryn Forbes life as she grew up with her parents and four sisters and one Brother,they lived in San Francisco in the early 1900s.
I’m thinking that I should pass this book onto my Daughters and four Sons.
Definitely a feel good story
I remember my Grandparents watching the CBS television series ,it ran from 1949 to 1959,I was never interested in watching the show probably because I thought it was a show for old people.
A few months ago I viewed the movie version on TCM and I have to say that it was a marvelous movie and I had to buy the book from Amazon.
Each story of the book tells us what was happening in Kathryn Forbes life as she grew up with her parents and four sisters and one Brother,they lived in San Francisco in the early 1900s.
I’m thinking that I should pass this book onto my Daughters and four Sons.
Definitely a feel good story
October 7, 2021
I forgot to mark this as 'currently reading' XD But anyway, I just finished listening to my Mom read this aloud to the whole family.
This story (it's a memoir, if I'm correct) was funny, sweet, and touching. I loved Mama and her wisdom, love, and patience that she gave to her family. And her determination that all her children be born in San Francisco XD
Kathryn Forbes is a wonderful storyteller, and I loved how each story showcased her fearless, innovative, and loving mother.
This story (it's a memoir, if I'm correct) was funny, sweet, and touching. I loved Mama and her wisdom, love, and patience that she gave to her family. And her determination that all her children be born in San Francisco XD
Kathryn Forbes is a wonderful storyteller, and I loved how each story showcased her fearless, innovative, and loving mother.
November 13, 2022
I saw the movie “I Remember Mama” years ago, and this book was the basis for a. What a charming series of stories about the author’s family, highlighting her mother’s wisdom and love. I enjoyed spacing out my reading of this small book to savor it more.
September 17, 2014
If you want to feel warm and fuzzy about the little things that make life BIG, this book is for you!
February 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this easy read. My only complaint...the end didn't feel right to me.
July 15, 2018
A Norwegian immigrant family growing up in San Francisco. It's a delightful story of a delightful family.
November 13, 2018
Pleasant collection of short stories. Similar vibe to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, minus the drunk dad. Reading it made me want to go watch the movie I Remember Mama again. Sweet movie & sweet book.
August 28, 2020
Enjoyed reading this story of a large Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco. Their frugality, loyalty and toughness is inspiring. Read out loud to the fam.
April 22, 2015
Definitely a feel good book. Loved the stories and loved Mama!
November 9, 2025
I just loved the simple problems that this children's novel presented, of a family living in San Francisco. The tiny adventures of the main character in here actually reminds me of the old vintage comic books I used to read as a kid. Of course, those comic books were already very old when I was reading them as they had come from a previous decade. But the events in this book are very similar in nature: problems that seem like huge mountains to a child but in reality they are not that awful.
So did I have any favorites in here? Most definitely yes. How about the horrible mistake of thinking you want some flashy hairbrush set in the department store window instead of a family heirloom - and then eating all of that candy while at work? Or sending away for a writing program when you don't have the money to pay for it? The injured cat story sure had an unexpected ending! And then there was the special event at the freezing cold school and how the treat she had brought in by her snobby classmates was seemed "wrong"... That was a very twisty story too.
But towards the end of reading this I actually had some flashes from the past... I think this book had triggered things I hadn't thought about in ages, like the coats my grandparents wore.
I also liked how this book encourages one to save money and how to get by. The family in here is not rich at all but they all pull together. And that making mistakes is ok. You're not bad because you made some mistake. It's a very gentle book. The family in here is caring and warm.
I believe this is a book I would read again as I truly enjoyed the simple adventures in here.
So did I have any favorites in here? Most definitely yes. How about the horrible mistake of thinking you want some flashy hairbrush set in the department store window instead of a family heirloom - and then eating all of that candy while at work? Or sending away for a writing program when you don't have the money to pay for it? The injured cat story sure had an unexpected ending! And then there was the special event at the freezing cold school and how the treat she had brought in by her snobby classmates was seemed "wrong"... That was a very twisty story too.
But towards the end of reading this I actually had some flashes from the past... I think this book had triggered things I hadn't thought about in ages, like the coats my grandparents wore.
I also liked how this book encourages one to save money and how to get by. The family in here is not rich at all but they all pull together. And that making mistakes is ok. You're not bad because you made some mistake. It's a very gentle book. The family in here is caring and warm.
I believe this is a book I would read again as I truly enjoyed the simple adventures in here.
July 15, 2018
I absolutely adored it! The characters and their adventures are all so sweet, the family is delightful, and it's adorable to see the children grown up as the story progresses. The whole thing is written in what I would call vignettes rather than a linear story, with each chapter being a little story in itself (the story keeps progressing forwards though). In a way, the way the book is structured reminded me of The House on Mango Street, except that I didn't like The House but loved Mama's Bank Account. Every vignette or chapter is so endearing that you just have to keep reading!
Definitely give it a go, it's free after all ;-)
You can find a scan of the book on archive.org here.
Definitely give it a go, it's free after all ;-)
You can find a scan of the book on archive.org here.
February 4, 2025
I loved this sweet book. Probably 30 years ago, I saw the movie “I Remember Mama” and the picture of the steadfast, determined, loving Mama has stayed with me since. I have wanted to read the book since I discovered it was one, and it did not disappoint. This collection of short stories are told from Katrin’s point of view as she looks back on the grace, creativity, and character of her Scandinavian mother and father during her San Franciscan childhood. Mama is an inspiration.
This is an easy read that is perfect for a cozy day, or even as a family read aloud. I took it off the shelf in the morning and read a chapter here and there throughout a single day and finished at bedtime. The perfect way to avoid scrolling the internet.
This is an easy read that is perfect for a cozy day, or even as a family read aloud. I took it off the shelf in the morning and read a chapter here and there throughout a single day and finished at bedtime. The perfect way to avoid scrolling the internet.
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