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Get Ready, Mama!
Even the most reluctant risers will find the fun in the morning routine with this lively role-reversal story about a mama who just doesn’t want to get ready!Getting Mama ready for the day can be a challenge… you’d better watch out that she doesn’t sneak back into bed, try to distract you with cuddles, get breakfast all over her top, or… wait, is Mama watching TV?! Learn how to get Mama up and ready despite her mischievous delaying tactics with this essential guide to dealing with morning mayhem!With gorgeous illustrations and playful writing, Get Ready, Mama! is the perfect way to introduce some fun into the morning routine. Little ones will delight in the cheeky role-reversal that sees a young girl doing everything she can to get her reluctant mother out of the house, while parents and carers will gain a strategy for motivating reluctant risers.Getting ready in the morning is a mission for many families with young children, but this inventive, tongue-in-cheek story provides a fun way of speeding things along. Full of heart and humour, Get Ready, Mama! is for anyone who has heard enough of “5 more minutes”.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2022
About the author
Sharon Giltrow
6 books31 followersSHARON GILTROW grew up the youngest of eight children in a century-old farmhouse, where she turned her bedroom into a library filled with other people's books. Today in her Perth home, she's filling the shelves with her own! An award-nominated children's author, Sharon writes stories that bring joy, laughter and connection to families everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 19, 2023
Sekali imbas, saya sangkakan buku ini berkisar tentang seorang anak perempuan yang ibunya sedang kemurungan selepas perpisahan atau kehilangan. Rupanya bukan.
February 15, 2022
A hilarious role-reversal book! This book will resonate for all care-givers and offers kids the opportunity to giggle at the cheeky Mama (whose antics may be a bit familiar!) This book can also be used to discuss what needs to happen before people can leave the house on time! This book made me laugh out loud, loved it.
March 23, 2022
What a fun book! Another role-reversal story by author Sharon Giltrow, but this time for Mama.
It's morning time, and there's lots to do to get ready for school and work, but Mama is having a hard time getting going. Luckily, the daughter knows just what to do. I cracked up at Mama's sparkly dance shoes! Both kids and parents alike will giggle at the silliness (and relatability) of all the scenarios the daughter faces trying to get Mama out the door.
The illustrations by Arielle Li are the perfect compliment to the words. The faces are so expressive, and everything about the art is playful and fun. The details really add another layer to the story (like Mama's alternate breakfast!).
If you've ever struggled to get out the door with your kids, you don't want to miss this one. So much fun!
It's morning time, and there's lots to do to get ready for school and work, but Mama is having a hard time getting going. Luckily, the daughter knows just what to do. I cracked up at Mama's sparkly dance shoes! Both kids and parents alike will giggle at the silliness (and relatability) of all the scenarios the daughter faces trying to get Mama out the door.
The illustrations by Arielle Li are the perfect compliment to the words. The faces are so expressive, and everything about the art is playful and fun. The details really add another layer to the story (like Mama's alternate breakfast!).
If you've ever struggled to get out the door with your kids, you don't want to miss this one. So much fun!
February 6, 2022
A gorgeous accompaniment to Sharon Giltrow's debut picture book 'Bedtime Daddy' which is one of mine and my kid's favs!
'Get Ready Mama' is a role reversal telling of a little girl taking her Mama through the morning routine. Parent and child comically go through the sequence of steps we all endure to rise, be organised to get to work and school in the morning, of course like real life, not all goes smoothly.
This story is fun, the illustrations are stunning. Another treasure for our book shelf!
'Get Ready Mama' is a role reversal telling of a little girl taking her Mama through the morning routine. Parent and child comically go through the sequence of steps we all endure to rise, be organised to get to work and school in the morning, of course like real life, not all goes smoothly.
This story is fun, the illustrations are stunning. Another treasure for our book shelf!
April 12, 2022
As a mom of two kids who is constantly running late, I found this book laugh-out-loud funny! My kids also thought this tables-have-turned book about the mom causing all the lateness in the morning rather than the kids was hilarious. My son loved the broccoli scene and my daughter loved the sparkly pink shoes part. It’s the perfect book for a morning read aloud (which may be part of why we’re always running late!). I love how spot-on the examples are—the author must have children herself. The ending is funny and wraps everything up nicely. I highly recommend this book!
February 4, 2022
Another role-reversal picture book from the talented Sharon Giltrow, author of 'Bedtime, Daddy!' Children and parents alike will delight to see the little girl coax her mother to get up, ready and out the door on time. Not only does Sharon bring humour to an often stressful routine, but also the warmth and heart of the mother-daughter relationship. Arielle Li's charming artwork complements Sharon's easy-to-follow text. 'Get Ready, Mama!' will have you smiling right to the surprising twist at the end. Thank you, Sharon Giltrow, for my review copy.
February 7, 2022
Another gorgeous role-reversal book written by Sharon Giltrow. We recently read 'Bedtime, Daddy!' and this is just as fun and charming. Written in a second-person viewpoint, the story follows a little girl as she struggles to get her mother ready for the day. Parents will enjoy this book just as much as the kids! We absolutely loved the twist at the end. So clever!
The illustrations by Alrielle Li include a cool, soft colour palette, yet are bold and clear in their design. Easy for little ones to interpret and enjoy.
Overall, a great read and also creates awareness (in a fun way) of the daily struggles felt by mamas everywhere!
The illustrations by Alrielle Li include a cool, soft colour palette, yet are bold and clear in their design. Easy for little ones to interpret and enjoy.
Overall, a great read and also creates awareness (in a fun way) of the daily struggles felt by mamas everywhere!
January 30, 2023
In this how-to, role reversal picture book, the narrator daughter gives a step-by-step guide to coercing her reluctant Mama to hurry so that they won’t be late.
With tickles, hugs, and help with dressing, this organized daughter encounters all sorts of obstacles as she tries to prepare breakfast, keep Mama from watching television, and letting her wear her sparkly dress-up shoes. Filled with humor and charm, Mama makes it on time (barely) as the story ends with a delightful twist.
The sweet illustrations, done in muted purples and browns, showcase the hectic morning rush while highlighting the loving relationship between the mother and daughter. Children will laugh as they see themselves in the story and cheer on the daughter as she perseveres in her goal to arrive on time. Great read aloud to help establish morning routines.
With tickles, hugs, and help with dressing, this organized daughter encounters all sorts of obstacles as she tries to prepare breakfast, keep Mama from watching television, and letting her wear her sparkly dress-up shoes. Filled with humor and charm, Mama makes it on time (barely) as the story ends with a delightful twist.
The sweet illustrations, done in muted purples and browns, showcase the hectic morning rush while highlighting the loving relationship between the mother and daughter. Children will laugh as they see themselves in the story and cheer on the daughter as she perseveres in her goal to arrive on time. Great read aloud to help establish morning routines.
January 14, 2022
Sharon Giltrow has written another winning story! Children will delight as it’s Mama’s turn to get ready. Recognizing familiar excuses from their own morning rituals, this humorous role reversal will resonate with young readers and adults alike. A fun story to be read over and over again!
February 16, 2022
Fun story! I laughed at the role reversal and twists with the page turns and at the end. The illustrations added to the story and made you wonder if/when the main character would notice how Mama looked before they left or before they arrived at their destination. Parents and children will want to read this book over and over again!
March 11, 2024
Another delightful and funny role-reversal story from Sharon Giltrow. This time, a young girl battles to get her mom up and out of bed and ready for the day. They are running sooooo late, but with the girl’s clever strategies, the pair are on their way. Nothing gets Mama out of bed like a cheerful “Rise and shine!”, feet tickling, cuddles, and a race to speed her along her way. It sure isn’t easy to get Mama ready for the school day.
May 19, 2022
Such a funny book! A little girl gets her mom ready in the morning for work / school.
It actually makes me think of how my sister describes her mornings. She struggles to get ready, while my niece gets up and gets everything going!
Great book, which some families will likely find relatable
It actually makes me think of how my sister describes her mornings. She struggles to get ready, while my niece gets up and gets everything going!
Great book, which some families will likely find relatable
February 8, 2022
What a joy to read! Speaking as someone who IS the mom in this book, my daughter and I had a great time reading this laughing with each page turn. The illustrations are adorable and the twist on the old morning routine is delightfully tackled.
February 12, 2022
This book is just as fun for the adults as is is for the kids. There were many parts that were so familiar I wondered if this book was actually based on my very own morning routine! The pictures are lovely. A great pick for Mother’s Day ❤️
November 24, 2022
Great humorous story about getting ready for going to school without complaint. Nice illustrations add charm. A good chuckle in this story.
July 17, 2022
Get Ready, Mama! is a fun role-reversal picture book in which an enthusiastic child attempts to motive a reluctant mother to get up and going in the morning. What a hilariously non-threatening way to discuss those very same avoidance tactics used by many children, and even more, a fun way for parents to play-act reluctance in order to motivate their own children to take responsibility for getting up and getting ready in the mornings.
Any parent who has ever had to coax a child to get ready in the morning, and I think that’s probably most of us, will identify with Mum’s tactics. Even early risers — and I had a couple of those — weren’t always keen to get moving and prepare for the day’s activities having other things they preferred to do.
Giltrow has captured every possible excuse for dawdling from needing those irresistible hugs to favourite clothes and special shoes; from needing ‘to go’ when they really do need to go to watching TV when they should be out the door. Daughter’s ‘Get Your Mama Ready Pack’ for the car is perfect for those last minute touch-ups and there are plenty of reasons to give for arriving late to school. A pinkie-promise to see each other later is the perfect way to say goodbye until it’s time for home again.
Li’s illustrations complement Giltrow’s text, capturing the humour with facial expressions that tell us oh so much about the thoughts and feelings of the characters and the warmth of the mother-child relationship.
While this book is perfect for families to share, it is also great for the classroom. I’m sure it will stimulate a lot of open and hilarious discussions about delaying tactics the children themselves, or their siblings, use. A lot of fun writing could follow.
Any parent who has ever had to coax a child to get ready in the morning, and I think that’s probably most of us, will identify with Mum’s tactics. Even early risers — and I had a couple of those — weren’t always keen to get moving and prepare for the day’s activities having other things they preferred to do.
Giltrow has captured every possible excuse for dawdling from needing those irresistible hugs to favourite clothes and special shoes; from needing ‘to go’ when they really do need to go to watching TV when they should be out the door. Daughter’s ‘Get Your Mama Ready Pack’ for the car is perfect for those last minute touch-ups and there are plenty of reasons to give for arriving late to school. A pinkie-promise to see each other later is the perfect way to say goodbye until it’s time for home again.
Li’s illustrations complement Giltrow’s text, capturing the humour with facial expressions that tell us oh so much about the thoughts and feelings of the characters and the warmth of the mother-child relationship.
While this book is perfect for families to share, it is also great for the classroom. I’m sure it will stimulate a lot of open and hilarious discussions about delaying tactics the children themselves, or their siblings, use. A lot of fun writing could follow.
Read
January 25, 2022Get Ready, Mama! is a sweet twist on the morning routine, as child wakes Mama and nudges her through the morning roadblocks typical of a child, like wanting to go back to sleep, trouble getting dressed, eating breakfast, finding shoes, and that last trip to the potty. The language is simple and direct, and the illustrations warm and inviting. Children will love the role-reversal and will delight in the humor of moments like the two characters switching seats when it's time to drive.
July 4, 2022
Ahhh! My little ones are big ones now, but the joyful relationship between the characters in this cute story about easing into a new day make me look forward to the possibility of their little ones someday. As the characters make their way toward wherever it is they're supposed to be, a slight feeling of uncertainty as to what the day might bring builds. It dawns on the reader that this may lie behind why children drag their feet as they get pushed into that new day, and could give parents something to discuss with their young ones over this book. The last page “denouement” nicely relieves that tension. Darling illustrations with a cozy color palette. PS, Mama’s morning hair is very familiar to me…
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy in exchange for this honest review.
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy in exchange for this honest review.
April 26, 2022
GET READY, MAMA! is a follow-up to Giltrow's wonderful BEDTIME, DADDY! picture book. It's another role reversal for child and parent, but this time centered around the morning routine. The humor is subtle but oh-so-relatable, and Li's illustrations work wonderfully with the text to provide giggle worthy moments. We loved the twist at the end. This book works well for all, but would be an especially good fit for any little reluctant morning people. Very fun!
May 4, 2022
An ‘essential guide’ – ‘essential’ being the operative word here! This must-have toolkit guides its readers – the children – with all the necessary information needed to getting their mamas up and ready for the day. By means, not an easy feat! Especially with a mama like this one who is so easily distracted and will find any excuse to dawdle during the morning rush.
Author Sharon Giltrow absolutely brilliantly makes mayhem fun, throwing in plenty of giggle-worthy moments that every child and parent can relate to. In its role reversal capacity, young readers will easily empathise with the characters in the story, but especially with their own parents who make the concerted efforts with as much patience as they can possibly muster. Every. Single. Morning. Along with her previous title, Bedtime Daddy! (illustrated by Katrin Dreiling), Get Ready, Mama! is the perfect companion for encouraging action, and a treasure to keep referring to for all members of the family.
The ’Get Ready, Mama!’ how-to guide begins with some feet-tickling-action to coax her out of bed. She’ll need help managing her clothes, and convincing that her second favourite breakfast will do. She’ll need to focus on packing her bag and putting on shoes – not watching TV – all the while keeping an eye on the time despite last minute outfit changes, potty stops and in-car toiletries administration. All the chaos portrayed in this book certainly is eye-opening, and this little girl certainly has her work cut out for her (don’t we know it!).
The beauty here is not only the messages of empathy, persistence, time management and learning independence through routine, but more so, the loving relationship, affection and patience between the girl and her Mama. Illustrator Arielle Li magnificently highlights the increasingly manic rush through fast and energetic vignettes and high emotions through delightfully characteristic facial expressions, and at the same time shows us the tender mother-daughter bond with her close-up scenes and warm, familiar tones of muted browns, purples and pinks done with pencil and digital art. The look on the little girl’s face when she catches her Mama watching TV is priceless! And to top it all off, there’s even a fun surprise at the end.
Get Ready, Mama! is utterly charming, sweet, playful and of course, hilarious (and motivational) with its role reversal irony and play on the usual morning mayhem routine. Children from age four, and their Mamas, will find plenty of opportunity for language experiences and role play, and repeat readings in their daily schedule. Highly recommended!
Author Sharon Giltrow absolutely brilliantly makes mayhem fun, throwing in plenty of giggle-worthy moments that every child and parent can relate to. In its role reversal capacity, young readers will easily empathise with the characters in the story, but especially with their own parents who make the concerted efforts with as much patience as they can possibly muster. Every. Single. Morning. Along with her previous title, Bedtime Daddy! (illustrated by Katrin Dreiling), Get Ready, Mama! is the perfect companion for encouraging action, and a treasure to keep referring to for all members of the family.
The ’Get Ready, Mama!’ how-to guide begins with some feet-tickling-action to coax her out of bed. She’ll need help managing her clothes, and convincing that her second favourite breakfast will do. She’ll need to focus on packing her bag and putting on shoes – not watching TV – all the while keeping an eye on the time despite last minute outfit changes, potty stops and in-car toiletries administration. All the chaos portrayed in this book certainly is eye-opening, and this little girl certainly has her work cut out for her (don’t we know it!).
The beauty here is not only the messages of empathy, persistence, time management and learning independence through routine, but more so, the loving relationship, affection and patience between the girl and her Mama. Illustrator Arielle Li magnificently highlights the increasingly manic rush through fast and energetic vignettes and high emotions through delightfully characteristic facial expressions, and at the same time shows us the tender mother-daughter bond with her close-up scenes and warm, familiar tones of muted browns, purples and pinks done with pencil and digital art. The look on the little girl’s face when she catches her Mama watching TV is priceless! And to top it all off, there’s even a fun surprise at the end.
Get Ready, Mama! is utterly charming, sweet, playful and of course, hilarious (and motivational) with its role reversal irony and play on the usual morning mayhem routine. Children from age four, and their Mamas, will find plenty of opportunity for language experiences and role play, and repeat readings in their daily schedule. Highly recommended!
February 15, 2024
In Sharon Giltrow's adorable new picture book, readers watch the flow of a typical morning routine...with a twist...in the home of a young student. A reluctant rise stalls, cries, snuggles, makes a mess of their clothes during breakfast, chooses inappropriate shoes, and otherwise hampers the on-time arrival required for the day. What a problem customer! However, in this case, the issue isn't the child--it's a hilarious role reversal with a final page twist! Li's muted tones add to the sense of sleepiness. Her illustrations show a loving mom and daughter and let the reader in on a secret that will leave adult and children giggling and re-reading the book. (Spoiler: it might even give parents a sneaky idea of how to thwart their own reluctant riser!) A great choice for bedtime! Fun to read out loud!
February 28, 2022
Getting up and going in the morning can be tough for kids -- and adults! In this super funny and heartwarming role-reversal story, Mama uses all kinds of hilariously familiar excuses for stalling. Mama might fall back into bed, cry for cuddles, or feed her breakfast to the dog. Will Mama ever be ready to face the day!? With humor and heart, this playful story will help families establish smoother morning routines with patience, creativity, and, love. After all, "you're never too late for cuddles."
August 11, 2023
Such a clever story, a child is getting her mama ready for work in the same way a parent would get their child ready for school every day. I especially sympathise with the 'Go Get your shoes. - Your mama sill stop to watch the TV. Turn it off'. Does every parent have this problem like I do?
A great story to read to a child that really struggles to get ready for school/to leave the house for the day, to help put the struggle into their perspective.
Shortlisted for the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year 2023 - Ages 5-8
A great story to read to a child that really struggles to get ready for school/to leave the house for the day, to help put the struggle into their perspective.
Shortlisted for the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year 2023 - Ages 5-8
January 19, 2022
In this sweet, playful story, mom and daughter swap traditional roles as they get ready for the day. Perfect for anyone who’s ever had trouble rolling out of bed in the morning! Kids will have fun watching Mama cause delay after delay. Soft pinks, purples, and yellows artfully capture the way light streams into the house in the morning. Get Ready, Mama! is a cute story with a loving mother-daughter relationship at its heart.
January 25, 2022
Who hasn’t resisted getting out of bed in the morning? What if it was Mama’s turn, and her daughter has to take on the anxious parent role so she won’t be late for school? Parents and will grin and children will delight to recognize familiar morning tussles acted out by a dawdling Mama in this loving role-reversal. The charming illustrations by Arielle Li culminate in a winking surprise. (Thanks to Sharon Giltrow for a review copy).
January 31, 2022
Getting out of the house on time in the morning can be a struggle. Even the best-laid plans get held up when an item mysteriously goes missing or someone needs an extra potty run. In our house, it's generally my kiddos holding us up but in this humorous new picture book the roles are reversed and Mama is the one who doesn't want to get out of bed and is easily distracted. This is sure to leave your littles giggling and hopefully looking at your morning routine in a whole new light.
March 3, 2022
Sometimes Mama is moving slowly in the morning but you can't be late for school, so you must hurry her along. In this hilarious role reversal, a young girl must get Mama out the door. Don't let her crawl back into bed! Author Sharon Giltrow's text is lively and fun in this humorous story. The illustrations by Arielle Li are colorful and delightful. A giggly read for both kids and adults. Highly recommend.
January 26, 2025
This clever reversal story of a girl trying to get her mom ready for school is so adorable and spot on. Kids and parents may use the opportunity to tease each other a bit as they recognize themselves in the roles - whichever one it is! There are definitely some parents who struggle upon waking and some kids who are raring to go. Lots here for everybody to laugh at and poke a bit of fun at themselves.
March 12, 2025
A delightful reversal of roles in which a daughter must wake up her mother and get her ready and on her way. Children will giggle at the child acting as the responsible caretaker here, whereas the parent is reluctant to wake up, pouts over her breakfast, dawdles when she should be hustling out the door, even stops for a 'mama-cino'! An amusing riff on the familial morning routine and (I won't spoil it, but) the little surprise ending is utterly charming.
January 16, 2022
Little ones will see themselves in this charming switcheroo story of getting ready in the morning. Sharon Giltrow's gentle humor will make you smile as mom has a hard time waking up. Arielle Li's sweet artwork is the perfect compliment to the text. Children will want to read Get Ready, Mama again and again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews