Ramona and Her Mother facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Beverly Cleary |
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| Illustrator | Alan Tiegreen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ramona |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
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Publication date
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1979 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) hardback |
| Pages | 190 pp |
| Preceded by | Ramona and Her Father |
| Followed by | Ramona Quimby, Age 8 |
Ramona and Her Mother is the fifth book in the popular Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. In this story, Ramona's dad, Mr. Quimby, has found a new job, but he doesn't really like it. Ramona feels caught between being too young to stay home alone and too old to enjoy playing with pesky Willa Jean. She is trying hard to grow up, but sometimes it seems like her family makes it harder for her. Ramona and Her Mother won the 1981 National Book Award.
Contents
Ramona's Story: Growing Up
Being seven and a half years old is not always easy for Ramona. Her father, Robert, finally has a job again. To celebrate, the Quimby family hosts a brunch. Ramona is given the job of keeping her friend Howie Kemp's little sister, Willa Jean, busy and out of the way.
Willa Jean's Visit
Ramona does not want Willa Jean to touch her own toys. So, she gives Willa Jean a box of pop-up tissues to play with instead. Willa Jean pulls all the tissues out and spreads them around the house. Because of this, the guests decide to leave. Someone says that Ramona was just like Willa Jean when she was younger. This makes Ramona feel hurt and upset. She does not believe she was ever such an annoying pest. When her mom, Dorothy, says she could not get along without Beezus, Ramona feels left out. She thinks her family does not appreciate her.
Family Life and Arguments
Now that both Dorothy and Robert are working full-time, everyone in the family must help out. They need to keep the house running smoothly. One day, the family comes home to find that the slow cooker was not plugged in. They had forgotten it in their rush to leave that morning. This means they have to quickly make dinner from the few ingredients they have.
Making dinner causes an argument between Robert and Dorothy. This frightens the girls, Beezus and Ramona. They had never seen their parents argue like that before. Suddenly, they worry that their parents might get a divorce. Some of their classmates' parents have recently divorced. That night, Beezus and Ramona comfort each other at bedtime. Beezus tells Ramona that she will always be there to look after her.
The next morning, Beezus and Ramona are surprised. Their parents are sitting at breakfast together, acting as if the argument never happened. Robert and Dorothy explain that small arguments are a normal part of life. They do not necessarily mean a divorce will happen. When their parents also say that Beezus and Ramona fight, Ramona feels it is unfair. She tells her parents to never fight again.
Haircut Troubles
Tempers flare again when Beezus refuses to let Dorothy cut her hair. Dorothy usually cuts both girls' hair. But Beezus says she has saved her allowance to get her hair cut at a local hairdressing school. Ramona is happy about this fight between Beezus and Dorothy. She is still a little jealous of their close relationship.
The haircut appointment does not go well. Ramona ends up with a cute pixie haircut. But Beezus gets a bad perm and ends up with "forty-year-old" hair. Ramona suddenly feels bad for Beezus. She decides it is nicer when everyone in the family is happy.
Ramona's Secret Pajamas
Things get complicated again when Dorothy buys Ramona a new pair of pajamas. This is the first time Ramona has not received Beezus's hand-me-downs. Ramona loves her new pajamas so much that she wears them to school. She wears them underneath her clothes.
She finally tells her teacher, Mrs. Rudge, about her secret pajamas. Mrs. Rudge promises Ramona that she will not tell anyone. However, that night, Ramona overhears her mom talking on the phone with Mrs. Rudge. Ramona mistakenly thinks Mrs. Rudge has told her secret. She becomes angry and argues with her parents. Ramona decides to run away from home.
To Ramona's surprise, Dorothy offers to help her pack a suitcase. Dorothy purposely packs the suitcase so it is too heavy for Ramona to carry. This turns out to be a trick to get Ramona to stay. When Ramona realizes she has been tricked, Dorothy says the words Ramona had wanted to hear. She says, "I couldn't get along without my Ramona." This makes Ramona feel loved and important.
What People Think About the Book
Reviewers really like how well Beverly Cleary understands what it's like to be a child. Kirkus, a book review magazine, wrote that Cleary's connection to childhood is "as faithful as ever." They said Ramona's friends would be happy to see her growing up. They also mentioned that even when Ramona makes mistakes, she is still lovable.
Alexandra Gomez from the New York Public Library talked about the Spanish version of the book. She said Ramona, in her own special and funny way, tries to understand the world. She also tries to get through tough situations in her life. Gomez added that "In any language, children will relate to this winning heroine."
Another reviewer praised the author's humor and sensitivity. They said, "In this amusing and heartwarming Ramona… Beverly Cleary continues her story of Ramona." They noted that growing up can be hard. Beverly Cleary talks about this with humor and understanding. She helps children know that they are not alone when they feel left out.
Different Ways to Read the Book
Ramona and Her Mother is available in many different forms.
Audio Versions
You can listen to Ramona and Her Mother as an audiobook. It is available on cassette, CD, and as an eAudiobook from Random House/Listening Library. There was also a VHS video from Atlantis Films/Ramona Productions in 1987.
Print Versions
In English, you can find the book in Braille from Dell. Large print books are available through the Professional Services Center for the Visually Handicapped. e-Books can be found through HarperCollins.
Worldwide Editions
By 2010, 109 different versions of Ramona and Her Mother had been published. These books were available in 9 different languages around the world.
