A Chair for My Mother facts for kids

A Chair for My Mother is a heartwarming children's book written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams. It was recognized as a Caldecott Honor book in 1982, which means it was one of the best illustrated children's books of that year. The story is a special tribute to the author's own mother, Rebecca Poringer Baker. A special 25th anniversary edition of the book was released in 2007.

The Story of the Special Chair

The story of A Chair for My Mother is told through the eyes of a young girl. She watches her mother work very hard to earn money, mostly tips. These tips are carefully saved in a big jar.

They are saving up for a brand new, comfy chair. Their old furniture was sadly lost in a house fire. The young girl remembers the fire and how she, her mother, and her grandmother had to move. They stayed with her aunt and uncle for a while.

After the fire, her aunt and uncle moved downstairs in their building. This left the apartment open for the girl's family to move in. Many kind neighbors helped them decorate their new home. They brought a rug, new curtains, a kitchen table, and other helpful items.

The story then returns to the present day, about a year after the fire. The big jar is now completely full of coins! The family counts all the money and rolls it up. They are finally ready to buy their new chair.

They visit many stores and try out different chairs. Finally, they find the perfect one. It is a beautiful red chair with pink flowers on it. The story ends with the girl, her mother, and her grandmother relaxing together. They are all enjoying their wonderful new chair.