This is an entry from an online database of children's literature.  The database includes vital information such as the title, author, and illustrator, but also includes the subject that the book is about, instructional ideas, and how the reviewer liked the book.  The complete Children's Literature Database can be viewed at: http://www.ltl.appstate.edu:591/Childlitfinaldb/

Database Name:  Children's Literature Database
Title:  Momma, Where Are Your From?
 Author's Last Name:  Bradby
 Author's First Name:  Marie
 Illustrator's Last Name:  Soentpiet
 Illustrator's First Name:  Chris
 Publisher:  Scholastic Inc.
 Place of Publication:  New York
 Date of Publication:  2000
 Appropriate Reading Level:  2nd grade
 Appropriate Age Level:  second and third grade
 Primary Genre:  Picture Book
 Secondary Genre:  Realistic Fiction
 Primary Subject:  Multicultural
 Secondary Subject:  Social Studies
 Book Rating:  Excellent
 Reviewer's Last Name:  Pratt
 Reviewer's First Name:  Emily
 Faculty:  Trathen
 Summary:

This beautifully written book explains how one woman answers her daughter’s question, “Where are you from?” This question allows the mother to reach back into her memory and discover for herself where she is from. Some of her fondest memories make up where she is from and her memories of work make up who she is. From the everyday tasks to the special treats, the mother tells her child that they all made up her home. Looking back on her memories, the mother also tells her daughter of the injustices she sees now as an adult, but that those events also made her the woman she is now.

 Instructional Ideas:

This picture book would be a great introduction to multiculturalism. In this book, there are examples of injustice and inequality that are presented on a child's level. Students can use this book as a starting point to brainstorm other inequalities that people of different races have faced or are facing now. Using this book as a family heritage lesson would also be great. Students could ask their own family members "where they are from" and discover memories or things that make that person unique. Students could then represent these memories through art, such as the watercolor illustrations in this book.

 Response:

"Momma, Where Are You From?" was a book that really touched my heart. The way the mother responds to her daughter's question is exciting because not only does it explain where but how she lived as a little girl. The vocabulary is unique and some children may have not encountered some of the terms. This book offers so many ways to incorporate other topics, such as Language Arts and especially Social Studies. I liked this because it has a lesson about culture and society at that time built into the story. The pictures are astounding! They seem to bring alive the stories the mother tells.