When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!

by Phyllis Schwartz, Siski Kalla (Illustrator)

Humor and optimism are used to infuse this upbeat, rhyming exploration of how an extended family can cooperate and work together to bring positive and healing results to a sick mom. All family members and friends are engaged in a productive way to let fun and love chase away the mystery and fear of illness.
The book includes specific examples of how the children can provide enjoyable and helpful moments as they make funny videos and throw a dance party with Motown tunes, or work with Dad to make their favorite dinner dish. Because, ultimately, if it “helps Mom feel great, then we do, too!”

35 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2022

About the author

Phyllis Schwartz is a married mother of two, who, after a highly successful career in the TV news business, finally has the time to indulge in and focus on her “civilian” writing. Even as a kid, she kept a diary and wrote little stories and poems, a creative release that continued well into adulthood. She wrote news by day and poetry by night. And despite battling three different types of cancer over more than three decades, she is still filled with energy, joy, and optimism, and she looks forward to writing much more poetry and children’s books in the future. Her writing often centers on what she observes daily: including her friends, husband, and two children, as well as her garden and her beautiful beach town residence in dreamy Encinitas, all providing continued inspiration for her verse.

Reviews

[Kameron]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.


Growing up, I don’t recall my mother being sick very often. However, when she was under the weather, the entire house jumped on board to help out. I learned to appreciate everything my mom did in and out of the house at a young age. As a parent, I do my best not to get ill. When it happens, I have an excellent support team who do their best to make me feel better.

My husband reminds the kids to use their library voice while indoors. They make sure I always have a drink nearby. My youngest also brings me a stuffed toy that is supposed to “chase the sick germs away.”

When someone, anyone, in your home is feeling under the weather, band together like the family did in When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too! by Phyllis Schwartz. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine!

At the story’s start, Phyllis Schwartz mentions the dad helping the kiddos make mom’s favorite dish, wieners and asparagus. Be prepared for your child to giggle when they hear “wieners.” Mine did.

My kiddos are not a fan of asparagus or hot dogs, but if your kids are, I have great news for you—the author included the recipe for mom’s favorite dish. They even included suggested sides: rice and corn (kernel or on the cob). FYI: It “serves 2 adults and multiple kids.”

When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too! by Phyllis Schwartz was a charming story. It did have some words that will need exploring, depending on your audience’s age: Motown music. Also, I’m no fashionista, so “Frida Kahlo” went right over my head.

Siski Kalla did a lovely job on the illustrations. They were all very nice.

I will recommend When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too! to family and friends.

Recommended reading age is 4-10.

(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

[Theediscerning]

A helpful book, and no mistake – this will certainly let you know how the author likes her wieners and asparagus! More beneficially, it will convey in very pleasant manner a dollop of positivity for young audiences whose parents get sick. The author has had cancer multiple times, and this talks of the mom having "some bumps" taken out. But rest assured she is quickly back at home, and even if the new ground rules have to include better behaviour and more making of the bed, they also include diverting yourself from the issue, and having sensible fun as a whole family. It's a little too optimistic, if anything, bordering on lack of realism, but it does what it needs to do – show that you can get through it as a family of a sufferer day by day and play by play. Told in verse that has a relaxed attitude to the perfect rhyme and with some really accomplished full-page illustration, this definitely is an issue book first and an entertainment book second, but has enough about it to stop the intended readers from feeling down, which may be all you could ever ask of it. Four and a half stars.

[Lisa's Reading]

What a pleasant book about a subject that is sad and something everyone dreads. When a young mother is diagnosed with cancer her husband, children, and mother come together to help her. At first they recognize that mom is not feeling well and so the children are told to be very quiet while she rests. When the mom goes to the hospital for surgery the dad tells the children about all the things that will make their mom feel better. They take great pride and feel joy when they can make their mom smile and love helping. Granny comes to stay and helps take care of mom and the children. This mom is very blessed to have an entire family doing all that they can to help her heal and have good, positive feelings about herself and life. Whether it’s chocolate chip cookies or dancing to her favorite Motown hits, mom gets to smile and laugh. This can be the best medicine when a person needs to heal. This sweet little book has lovely whimsical illustrations that will bring a smile to all who read this book.

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Phyllis Schwart.

[Westveil Books]

I was granted complimentary access to When Mom Feels Great Then We Do Too! by Phyllis Schwartz by XPresso Book Tours via NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

When Mom Feels Great Then We Do Too! is a beautifully illustrated children's book about staying positive and making the most out of life when a parent gets sick. It's implied that the mother in this book is battling cancer, and we see father, kids, and grandma come together to help with the housekeeping, keep the kids entertained, and cheer up the mother during this uncertain time. It's a lighthearted and refreshing story of happiness and hope around a topic that can be scary and upsetting. This book is appropriate for younger kids and would definitely be a helpful addition to the library of any family dealing with parental illness.

[Laura]

I selected this book because monthly I suffer from migraines. I don't have anything chronic or need surgical care but my kids still worry about me and ask if I'll die. So I thought a book about when a parent especially a mommy is sick but will get better would be a great book to have.

It's a sweet story with messages of care for processing. At small ages they have separation anxiety and the unknown is scary for us all.

But preparing all of mommy's favorites and making sure she is comfortable while she heals is an important message. Giving her the time to heal so she can get back to a regular routine if possible.

Thank you acornpublishing and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

[Angie]

This rhyming picture book tells the story of two kids whose mom has to go to the hospital because she is sick. The children talk about all of the things they do to make her feel better. It is a very positive story that can be used to help young children deal with such a scary event like a parent's hospitalization. I would highly recommend this book to parents of children, especially those who have an ill family member. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Suzanne]

This positive portrayal of a family supporting Mom as she recovers from an illness shows how even kids can help out and make Mom feel great. The text does not specify what sort of sickness Mom is fighting, but we know that doctors “took out some bumps.” (The dedication mentions three cancer fights, which inspired the book.) Being quiet around the house while Mom is resting, helping with chores like making beds or weeding the yard, even creating funny videos to cheer her up are all great ideas that anyone can do for a sick family member. One evening the kids and their father make Mom’s favorite dinner - wieners and asparagus. The author has included the recipe at the back of the book for anyone who would like to try it out at home.

This is an uplifting book that shows how family and friends can rally around someone dealing with a serious medical issue. If you know a child who has this type of situation in their life, this is the perfect story to share with them and help them understand how they can help. It shows that their loved one may need more rest than usual, help from doctors, and plenty of affection - but that they will appreciate the care and love the child gives them.

[Sarah Dodds]

What a fabulous story to pass along to any family where a parent is suffering from an illness or injury. What a calm and cheerful way to help children know how they can be helpers (and kids do loooove to help!) while promoting optimism and hope.

I will be getting this book for my classroom and my school social worker to have to loan to all families in need . BRAVO!

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[LiteraryCryptid]

This is a sweet story about a mom who just needs some time to rest and the actions her children take to help her.

I would recommend this story for any home library as it is a lovely story to teach young children that even adults can have bad days and need some time to recover.

Thank you #NetGalley and Acorn Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title.

[Theresa Orr]

This was a great childrens book . I really
Appreciated the message and so important that moms also get time to rest !

[Lori Byrd]

Such a sweet children's book about how the kids can make their mom feel better after she was in the hospital. A recipe is included too. I loved this.

[Jack Wagger]

Love this book! Thoughtful, creative, uplifting and heartfelt.

[Book Zone Reviews]

In When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too! Family and friends rally around mom who has a serious illness. With the help of dad and grandma, the kids get involved to distract her from her illness and fill her with warmth and love so that she would get better soon!

Suggestions were being quiet, not fighting with each other to stress mom out, making her a personal card, a funny video and so much more.

I smiled and said, awwww, when they helped dad make her favorite food of asparagus and wieners. There's even a recipe included the back of the book.

Moms and dads are key figures in any household and when one gets ill it throws the family dynamic off. This book is an uplifting story of how this family dealt with it and can serve as encouragement for other families also going through this type of situation.

The pictures are evocative and the soft pastels match the story perfectly!


Key takeaways: love heals, kids can help.

[Courtney]

👌👌

My children love these little books. They thoroughly enjoy each and every story, as if they are all unique and individual without any cause for similarity among them. Even though sometimes, they might seem tedious and repetitive to me as a parent, I do enjoy being able to read short-stories to my children that are clean and respective.

[Donna OBrien]

Empowers kids to help out at home

But, as a disabled mom I like to think I would do everything in my power to lighten their load as much as possible. And I'd definitely want to hear them being kids. Just my thoughts.