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A Chair for My Mother

Published
Oct 1982
Main Genre
General Fiction General Fiction
Rating
Pages
32

About This Book

This classic and heartwarming picture book was written and illustrated by the celebrated Vera B. Williams and was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. 

"A tender knockout. It's rare to find much vitality, spontaneity, and depth of feeling in such a simple, young book."—Kirkus Reviews

Vera Williams tells of a young girl who, along with her waitress mother, saves coins in a big jar in hopes that they can someday buy a new chair for their apartment, the kind of chair her mother deserves after being on her feet all day in the Blue Tile Diner. Into the jar also goes the money Grandma saves whenever she gets a bargain at the market.

There hasn't been a comfortable place to sit in the apartment since a fire in their previous apartment burned everything to "charcoal and ashes." Friends and neighbors brought furniture to their new apartment downstairs, but no one brought anything big or soft or comfortable. Finally the jar is full, the coins are rolled, and in the book's crowning moment, mother, daughter, and Grandma search four different furniture stores, and after carefully trying several chairs, like Goldilocks, they find the chair they've been dreaming of at last.

Vera Williams enhances this story about family, community, and the power of working together toward a common goal with her signature folk art-inspired paintings.

A Chair for My Mother has sold more than a million copies and is an ideal choice for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. "A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family."—The Horn Book

Vera B. Williams's beloved picture book favorites include:
"More More More," Said the BabyAmber Was Brave, Essie Was SmartA Chair for AlwaysA Chair for My MotherCherries and Cherry PitsMusic, Music for EveryoneSomething Special for MeStringbean's Trip to the Shining SeaThree Days on a River in a Red Canoe

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Formats & Editions

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Paperback

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Paperback
Jan 1982 Scholastic ISBN 0590331558
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Trade Paperback
Sep 1984 Greenwillow ISBN 0688040748
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Trade Paperback
Apr 1993 Greenwillow ISBN 068812612X
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Paperback
Sep 2008 IGI Distributors ISBN 1931016038
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Hardcover

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Hardcover
Oct 1982 Greenwillow ISBN 0688009158
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Hardcover
Nov 1982 Greenwillow ISBN 068800914X
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Hardcover
Aug 1984 Turtleback Books ISBN 0606024840
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Hardcover
Sep 1984 Turtleback Books ISBN 0808533851
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Hardcover
Sep 1984 Perfection Learning ISBN 0812433998
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Hardcover
Jan 2006 Listening Library ISBN 0307285006
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Hardcover
Jan 2006 Listening Library ISBN 0307258769
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eBook

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eBook
Sep 2021 Greenwillow ISBN 0063222493
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eBook
Sep 2021 Greenwillow Books ISBN B09B7M8XL4
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Audio

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Audio CD
Jan 2009 Greenwillow ISBN 0061761214
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Downloadable Audio
May 2009 Greenwillow ISBN 0061805882
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May 2009 Greenwillow ISBN 0061762415
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Audible
May 2009 HarperAudio ISBN B0029TCG2K
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