Jonathan and His Mommy

by Irene Smalls, Michael Hays (Illustrator)

A gentle celebration of the bond between mother and son, and a beautifully illustrated portrait of a lively urban neighborhood​. 

As a mother and son explore their area, they try various ways of walking—from giant steps and reggae steps to crisscross steps and backward steps. Whether they're racing down the street or moving as slow as molasses, Jonathan and Mommy go at their own pace and move to the beat of their love for each other. 

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, African American, Juvenile, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1992

About the author

Irene Jennie Smalls has been a model, an actress, a radio reporter, and a small business owner, but her favorite job is being a children's author. She lives in Boston Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Heather Mcgrail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the different steps Jonathan and his Mommy took in this book, but generally, it is not my taste. The plot was a little thin, and the characters was quite flat and undeveloped.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I initially judged it by it's cover and thought it would be a wholesome book. But I can't in good faith give it a good review because I would never read this to my kids. The setting appears to be somewhere in NY. And I'm ok with cities. I like cities. The issue lies on what Jonathan and his mother were doing. The book is for very young readers, toddler aged. Jonathan and his mother talk a walk in their neighborhood, by some apartments, by the basketball park, by friends who are hanging around at their porch, etc. They move in different patterns, from going slow, to running, to taking steps like a ballerina, to taking reggae steps... There are only a few things I don't like about this book but it's enough to put me off from reading it or donating it to kids. For one, I was put in ballet since I was three years old. It's not something you should put your toddler boy into or try to get them into. It's not something you should expose to them like it's ok or normal. You should put them in a place where there will be other boys to play with, not a room full of girls in frilly dresses. That's my opinion. I only started seeing boy dancers start dancing when they were a lot older and had made that decision for themselves. And none of them "liked girls." Jazz Jennings was put in ballet at 3, where he immediately wanted to have the same things the girls were having and they were depriving him of: the outfits, the dances, the close girl friendships. And after his mother put him there (because he did not choose to be there) he started wanting to be like the girls.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. My 6yo read it to me. It has some new words for her and some made-up words, which is great for reading. It also has some onomatopoeia, which is also great for new readers. I found it challenging for her, which is what I look for in a book. Not to mention, it’s a book about a child taking a walk and spending quality time with his mom, with some hip-hop mixed in. What’s not to love? This book is adorable.

[Set · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book which happens to be for toddlers (2-5). The color schemes are dark and dreary with graffiti and gloomy buildings. I wonder if Jonathan's father would have done those ballet steps with him... And some things just rubbed me the wrong way like why his mom looks like his grandma.

[Kiersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan and His Mommy is about a young boy and the day that he and his mother spend together. They walk down the street in their own funny way, and it is a bonding experience for Jonathan. The book notes that they take “humongous” steps and they take “itsy bitsy” steps. They also dance in the park. I enjoy the overall theme of this book and what it represents. I also appreciate that there are no negative connotations associated with the mother and the child. Overall, I believe that many children would enjoy this book. The wording and the illustrations of the things that Jonathan and his mom do throughout the day help to keep the book flowing and keep children’s interest. I think this is a great book to read aloud to a young group of kids as well, because they can act out what they see and hear, which is also a nice way to test their comprehension. This is also a good book to help generate text-to-self connections for students and teachers alike, because it allows them to think about the fun days that they have spent with their mom, dad, or another fun family member.

[Tkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal favourite, the easy to understand story, the inclusion for both the story teller and the hearer. My mother used to read this to me every night as a child and I cannot wait to do the same for my kids.

[Catherine E. Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Fantastic for a Storytime. Great for movement. Positive relationships.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love ms.smalls work she's really good at what she's does this was a good read about mother and son going for a walk and experiencing that mother and son bond <3

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alissa loved to watch the mom follow the boy's lead.

[Marj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming story about a boy and his mom doing silly walks through their neighborhood. The illustrations are realistic with soft edges and colors.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, simple book that is fun to read out-loud and may inspire a fun outing.

#kidsofcolor
#urbansetting
#mom

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonathan describes the creative walk he takes with his mom around the city.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore reading this with my 4yo. Such a sweet story about a mom and son spending a silly, creative day together. Lots of fun.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read for a child learning to read. It was fun. I think children reading this book will give them a sense of having fun with their parent outside on nice sunny days. (A Kids book)

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a fun book to play along with--lots of ways to move.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy and his mom enjoy their day.

[Kenna Lampe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet book about a little boy who spends the day with his mother. This book was lighthearted and fun. I love books that are rhythmic and this one is super cute.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan and his Mommy is an excellent book for young readers. It is realistic fiction about a young African-American boy and his mother exploring the dynamics of the vibrant city they live in. This story truly displays a strong mother/son bond. This is a book that I would say would hold any young readers interest. The vibrant and detailed illustrations really ties the book together and clearly depicts the image that the author wants to get across. The story does not have a huge plot line but I think its a great feel good story that all young readers can relate to.

[Haleema Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan and his mommy is a narrative about Jonathan and the things that he does with his mommy. The main character Jonathan tells the reader the exercise he and his mommy do as they walk down the street (ex. “first we zigzag walk down the street”). As a teacher this book could be used to teach rhyming words (ex. ”as we wiggle our noses and wiggle our ears; We look so funny we end up in tears”). This text also allows teachers and students to incorporate exercise in literacy, as the teacher reads the class could do what the book says (ex. “we take bunny step, Hop-Hop Hop-Hop”). The illustrator Michael Hays does a good job depicting the action words that are on the page. The characters actually look like they are hopping. The author Irene smalls is not a single mother as the mother in the story appears to be, but she is a mother which makes the mother son relationship in the story more authentic.

[Raven Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book 'Jonathan and His Mommy' is about a day in the light of Jonathan. He is telling us the typical day he have with his mother, who is a single parent. Jonathan is a young African American boy raised by his single mother. He invites the audience into his everyday life with his mom. The Author, Irene Smalls, was raised by her single Godmother. It was not her biological mom in relations to the story by she was raised by someone who she called mom. As a teacher, I will use this text to use descriptive language (ex. fast running steps, bunny steps, and itsy- bitsy steps). I could introduce a lesson on descriptive language and learning what adjectives are. This is a great book for first graders.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites to use in a Mother program. I love the different walks.5/2/11

Used for a preschool films and stories and PJ Story Time this year.

This was chosen for PJ Story Time. It was a little long for the younger children. 5/5/14

A little long for the 2's, but I wanted something for the older child that came. (Samierah also chose for PJ Story Time.) 5/5/14

A little long for the last book for my young 2ish story time. Have to try as first book or move to something shorter.

Used as my second book, since I had rambunctious, younger children for my Preschool Story Time.

[Lisa Newhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young African American boy and his mother taking a walk around town. They make all kinds of crazy steps as they walk around what appears to be New York City or maybe Chicago. They make reggae steps and bunny steps, running steps and crisscross steps. This book is a sweet story and easy read. I would recommend it as a book for moms to read with their little boys in preschool, kindergarten, or first grade. After reading the book, maybe you can walk about town and see what kind of steps you can make.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a little boy named Jonathan and his mother taking a walk through their neighborhood. They stroll through the streets in an interesting way by hopping, slow motion, giant steps, and baby steps. This could be used as a read aloud for younger students, maybe good to do for Mother's Day; the pictures are good for comparing their neighborhood to yours. Good for children K-1st grade would.

[Elines Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy yet highly enjoyable read. The book describes a mother and son's walk through the parks and streets of their city. The illustrations, in soft pastel colors, really capture the warmth of the day and the urban feel of the city. I could also feel the mother-son love, genuine and pure.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan and his mom take a walk using both their feet and their imaginations. Text is poetic and perfect for reading aloud.

Watercolor artwork brings Jonathan's neighborhood to life and showcases all the unique ways of walking he and his mother come up with.

Highly recommended read aloud for PreK-2. especially in promotion of fitness/exercise.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's very sweet. Shows a good bond between mother and son. It is a good book to show diversity and cultural relevance. I enjoyed the story line as well as the community playing a good part in the story. The story follows a mother and son around their neighborhood as they walk in different ways on each page. Very rich imagery and plot.

[Jessica Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book that really highlights the relationship between a mother and child. The setting is in the city which offers a chance to discuss similarities/differences between the city and the country with children. Children may want to act out the story as well... fun!

[Abbi Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Jonathan and his mother walking through the city taking all sorts of different steps and being silly. This is a low-level book, but it is funny so it would be okay for any elementary classroom. This illustrations are great! It showcases life in the city.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy and his mom go walking in the neighborhood. They take giant steps, baby steps; they hop, they run all to a catchy rhythm. I could imagine reading this to children and having them imitate the movements of the boy and mother. What fun!

[Cara Olansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great one, particularly if you are teaching in a big city. It follows Jonathan and his mother as they take a walk through their neighborhood. Not only is it easy for children growing up in the city to relate to, but it provides several opportunities for spin off lessons or games.