by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow; A Denene Millner Book/Simon & Schuster, 2020.
“Mommy and Daddy live miles away. I wish we lived together. Maybe one day that will be.” So begins this tender tale chronicling Carol Olivia Clementine’s common every-child activities framed by her relationship with Mama Rose, who is just like a mama to her.
“The central purpose of each life should be to dilute the misery in the world.“—Karl Menninger
Why this Book? Why will it matter to kids?
As Duncan explains in the Author Note, “It is love that defines our relationships. Blood related or not–love is the tie that binds.” Though we do not learn of blood ties (or lack thereof) linking the two characters in Just Like a Mama, readers are left with no doubt of the bond of love and respect they share.
Many children face family situations in which biological mothers and/or fathers are not present. According to the 2011 U. S. Census Bureau, nearly 3 million children (3.9 percent of all children) live in homes with no parent present. The majority live with a relative; over half live with a grandparent. More than 400,000 children were in foster care at the end of 2010. (Vandivere, S., Yrausquin, A., Allen, T., Malm, K., and McKlindon, A. (2012). Children in Nonparental Care: A Review of the Literature and Analysis of Data Gaps. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation). A picture book that focuses on such family arrangements provides affirmation and widens perspective and understanding.
Healthy, nurturing relationships with family caregivers are not only the foundation of solid social- emotional skills in children, but also support development of cognitive domain competencies. When children feel loved and secure in their home life, they arrive in our classrooms better equipped to learn. When children encounter varied examples of loving home life situations in the books they read, or the books we choose to read aloud to them, they gain insights into the myriad forms nurturing and supportive connections can take and the ways in which they guide our growth. Such books convey understanding, acceptance, and support; they are windows, but also mirrors for the children we teach. Sharing such books with our students allows us to acknowledge and celebrate all forms of loving families.
Grade level: Pre-K-Grade 3
Social-Emotional Learning Themes
Family, interpersonal relationships, kindness, compassion, tenacity, perseverance, responsibility, helpfulness, perspective, fortitude, self-reliance, respect, gentleness, gratitude, effort, understanding, connection, diversity, self-assurance, resilience, hope, patience, dedication
Content Area Connections
Community
Using This Book in the Classroom
Hit the Ground Running
Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents
Alice Faye Duncan reads aloud Just Like a Mama here.
View a TV interview with Alice here.
Learn about Alice’s connection to The Sowing Circle and its mission here.
Write Away!
Ideas to prompt writing
One of the things we first learn about Carol Olivia Clementine is that she is living with Mama Rose right now. Throughout the book we see the ways in which Mama Rose is just like a mama to her. Write about the ways in which someone in your life is just like a … fill in the blank! Just like a mama, a daddy, an uncle, a cousin, a brother, a sister, or an aunt.
Mama Rose often tells Carol Olivia Clementine, “One day, child, when you grow up, you will spread your wings and fly.” Write about what this means. Or, write about something a person who cares for you tells you often. What does it mean? How does it make you feel?
Not all the moments in Just Like a Mama are happy ones. Sometimes Mama Rose is firm with Carol Olivia Clementine. Even so, Carol Olivia Clementine knows that Mama Rose cares for her. How does she know that? Explain. Use examples from the story or from your own life to support your opinion.
Imagine that when Carol Olivia Clementine grows up, she writes a letter to Mama Rose. What would she say in the letter?
Poetry Break
Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book
Poetry breaks fit perfectly into brief moments in the day—from opening or closing the daily morning meeting to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to transitioning from one subject to the next. Reading a poem typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, or summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes the spirit.
Poetry collections celebrating family suggested for use with Just Like a Mama:
- Dear Mother, Dear Daughter: Poems for Young People by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Gil Ashby
- Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marylin Hafner
And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study
On the flyleaves of Just Like a Mama we find illustrations of what might be on Carol Olivia Clementine’s bulletin board. Prepare a mini board that reflects you. Include photos, inspirational words or phrases, and special items. Share with the class. Explain what each item represents, or the story behind it.
In the Author’s Note, Alice explains the term “fictive kin” and its origin. Introduce the term to students. Discuss. Have children write about or partner and share stories of “fictive kin” in their lives.
The following collection of noteworthy picture books focus on family and pair well with Just Like a Mama:
- Dozens of Cousins by Shutta Crum, illustrated by David Catrow
- Families by Susan Kuklin
- Families by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly
- The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Ros Asquith
- Home Is a Window by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, illustrated by Chris Sasaki
- My New Mom & Me by Renata Galindo
- The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; Caldecott Honor
- Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; Caldecott Medal
- We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Diane Greenseid
- When Lightning Comes in a Jar by Patricia Polacco
Free downloads for use in conjunction with Alice’s other books can be found on her website:
- figurative language PowerPoint lesson related to Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop
- questions and a writing prompt for Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop
- activity packet for use with Twelve Days of Christmas in Tennessee
- alliteration, assonance, and rhyme lesson plan for use with A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks
- lesson plan on sonnets for use with A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks
Photo credit: Tarrice Love
About the Author
Alice Faye Duncan is a National Board Library Media Specialist and writer. She wrote the toe-tapping classic Honey Baby Sugar Child, A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks, and Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop which was awarded a 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Medal. Her 2020 release Just Like a Mama celebrates the heart connection between children and Forever Mamas who cherish them. You can visit Alice Faye at www.alicefayeduncan.com
Q&A with Alice Faye Duncan
Alice’s optimism and enthusiasm were evident as she responded to a few questions about Just Like a Mama and her creative process.
Judy Bradbury: How did you come to write the Just Like a Mama? What seeded its creation?
Alice Faye Duncan: Just Like a Mama is a lyrical read aloud like a heartfelt poem. My mother inspired the story. She adopted her little sister when my grandmother died. Mama was 28 years old. Her little sister, Pat, was 10. Mama “mothered” her sister, raised her up, and sent both of us to college. I want Just Like a Mama to affirm children, who do not reside with their biological parents. As for children who do, I want them to hear or read the book and be inspired with warm feelings of compassion.
JB: Tell about one hurdle you experienced in the creation of Just Like a Mama or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the making of this book.
AFD: The illustrator is Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. Her grandfather is Caldecott winner Jerry Pinkney. She never mentioned this to the editor, Denene Millner. Like most creative professionals, Charnelle wanted to be received for her talents and gifts—not her connections. She was determined to make her own success. When the book was complete, I noticed her middle name. I Googled Charnelle and discovered the connection. Her work is lively. The joy in her pictures jumps off each page and starts the reader smiling. Charnelle is a great talent and rising star. She shines.
JB: Mama Rose is never identified as Carol Olivia Clementine’s grandmother, aunt, or foster parent. Why did you make this choice as your wrote Just Like a Mama?
AFD: I want young readers to get in touch with the mood in the book and understand the meaning of “Mother.” The word goes beyond blood relations. Mother is an action verb that can bring healing, acceptance and oodles of patience and love. No label for this is required when a great maternal love surrounds a child’s life.
JB: What did you learn from creating this book?
AFD: Until I wrote the author’s note for my book, I never thought deeply about my mother’s maternal connection with her sister. Writing the note gave me a great appreciation for their unconditional bond. While I am my mother’s only child, her connection with my aunt is a three-strand cord that cannot be broken. My mama is my aunt’s mother, sister, and friend. Writing the book gave me this revelation.
JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the creation of this book?
AFD: I wrote the first draft for this book in 1993. It was my first year teaching school. I was in charge of a crowded 4th grade class with 40 students. After several drafts over two decades, I sold Just Like a Mama in 2017. The time was finally right and the words were ready.
JB: What do you hope readers will take away from Just Like a Mama?
AFD: No matter where they live or who is in charge of their care, I want all children to know beyond words–they are chosen, cherished, and loved.
JB: How do you see Just Like a Mama connecting to curriculum?
AFD: Elementary teachers and librarians need an arsenal of lyrical read-alouds that allow children to see themselves and view the world beyond their experience. My book fits the bill for that. It’s also a great fit for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Adoption Month, and Mother’s Day.
JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?
AFD: Tell me about your professors!
Answer: I graduated the University of Memphis in 1989. While there, I was blessed with four professors who made a difference in my writing. They were Dr. Mary Battle, Dr. Rhynette Hurd, Dr. Deborah G. Plant, and Dr. Elsa Barkley Brown. It only takes one great teacher to change a life for good. God gave me four, and I sing their praises at every opportunity. GO TIGERS!
Alice with her mother, Earline Duncan. Photo credit: Erica Dunlap
About the Illustrator
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is an illustrator and surface designer. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Opportunity Alert for Educators
If you live in the Western New York area, you will be excited to learn that Alice will be a panel participant at the 2020 Western New York Children’s Book Expo Educator Event on November 14th! Come listen to Alice and a dozen other critically-acclaimed children’s authors and illustrators present at this CTLE-credit event designed exclusively for educators! Among last year’s panel was a 2019 Newbery Honor winner and Jerry Craft–who went on to win the 2020 Newbery Award!
Details and registration information coming soon!
Book Giveaway!
Subscribers who leave a comment will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Just Like a Mama. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced when the next guide is posted.
And…the winner of a copy of HOSEA PLAYS ON by Kathleen M. Blasi, illustrated by Shane W. Evans is Jim Chaize. Please contact me with your postal address and I’ll send the book off to you. Congratulations! Thank you to Sterling for kindly providing a copy for this purpose.
News & Updates
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2020 ALA Awards announced this past week! For an interview with 2020 Newbery Award and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Jerry Craft and ideas for using New Kid with students, see my August 5th post!
Thank you for such an informational and useful post today, as well as the chance to win a copy!