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I'm so pleased to take part in a very special event celebrating Maria Faulconer's touching
picture book, A Mom For Umande, and mothers everywhere.
Mothers come in all sorts of packages, from natural moms, to adoptive
moms, to women who stepped in and raised us in the best way they knew how. No matter
what form they come in, mothers are a special group of women who deserve to be honoured this Mother's Day, and today I am excited to share my own tribute to a very
special woman.
Below are all of the details about A Mom For Umande, plus my own special tribute. There is also a giveaway opportunity, so be sure to enter!
Below are all of the details about A Mom For Umande, plus my own special tribute. There is also a giveaway opportunity, so be sure to enter!
A tribute to my mother
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| Me (age 6) with my mother |
I think it's fitting that this tribute to my mother is being featured on my book review blog, seeing as my mother was the one who gave me my deep and abiding love of books.
Growing up, she would read aloud to me from thick volumes filled with fairytales, feeding my lively imagination. We would spend hours cuddled up together, exploring literary worlds and befriending the colourful characters that lived in them. She was never too busy to sit down with me & I can honestly say that to this day, my mother remains my book buddy, my best friend, & my partner in crime.
My mother didn't only give me a love of reading, however. She gave me words to create my own stories - the words to write the story of my own life, day by day.
Anytime I felt like I was falling, she would help me regain my balance. Whenever life's burdens got too heavy, she was there - not with happy, empty words but with honest words of strength. My mother has always believed in me and there are no words to describe how much that means to me. She's always made it clear that she wants me to fly and fly high...but if I ever want to land, that she'll be there, waiting and holding down the fort.
N.K. Jemisin once wrote, “In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.” And I can honestly say that my mother was and is the centre of my universe. I would not be the woman I am today if it weren't for her love and guidance, her wit and her kindness, her smile and her laugh.
So a big happy Mother's Day to you, Mum. Thank you for taking me on literary journeys and for walking alongside me on my own ♥
~ Booknut 101
Proud daughter & President of her mother's fanclub
About the book
The heart-tugging true story of how a baby gorilla found love in the arms of a surrogate
mom.
When Umande was born, his mother didn’t know how to take care of him. So, he was
hand-reared by keepers at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. For eight
months, the keepers crawled on the ground with him to show him how to walk; coughed
in his face to teach him discipline; and gave him happy gorilla grumbles to encourage
him.
But for Umande, something was still missing. Luckily, a thousand miles away at the
Columbus Zoo, a mom was waiting just for him.
This touching true story about finding a family will resonate with animal lovers and
adoptive families alike.
Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
About the author
Maria Faulconer has published fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. She
loves writing stories, especially ones that tug at the heartstrings. A huge animal lover, and
an adoptive mom herself, she knew when she saw a photo of a baby gorilla snuggling
with his surrogate mom that she had to tell their story - A Mom for
Umande. Her first children's book, Arianna and the Strawberry Tea,
was used for a statewide literacy program. She currently writes for Colorado
Springs Style magazine and is working on a YA novel. She lives in Colorado with
her husband and two children.
Connect with Maria via her:
Giveaway
The Giveaway features a very special Mother's Day gift basket including:
Lavender and Vanilla Candle
A Book of Simple Pleasures
A Lavender Lotion and Hand Soap Set
Vanilla Rose Bubble Bath and Body Lotion
Lavender Chamomile Shea Butter Soap
A White Flower in a Wooden Box
Lavender Soap in a Keepsake Box
Event Participants
Monday, May 4th - Coffee Books 7 Art
Monday, May 4th- Pieces of Whimsy
Monday, May 4th - 21st Century Once Upon a Times
Thursday, May 7th- In Between the Pages
Thursday, May 7th- Beauty and the Armageddon
Thursday, May 7th- Deal Sharing Aunt
Thursday, May 7th- A Book and a Latte
Friday, May 8th- The Phantom Paragrapher
Friday, May 8th- Curling Up With a Good Book
Friday, May 8th- Stacy S. Jensen
Saturday, May 9th- Ishiee's Book Blog
Saturday, May 9th- Maureen's Books
Saturday, May 9th- Bookworm for Kids
Sunday, May 10th- LuLo Fangirl
Sunday, May 10th- Refreshingly Riki
Sunday, May 10th- Bumbles & Fairytales
Sunday, May 10th- Books Are Love
There's still time to participate and honor the special women in your lives!
This event will run daily from May 4th through May 10th. A blog is not required, however, HTML will be provided for bloggers that will include book and author details, as well as the giveaway information. Y
You'd just need to add your special touch - a letter, or post about being a Mom or the mom(s) in your life, and/or pictures! You may choose to post on whichever day best fits your blogging schedule.
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