Skateboard Mom Children's Book Review

Skateboard Mom is a children's book written by Barbara Odanaka and illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi. The story features a boy who gets a skateboard for his 8th birthday, only to have his mom whisk the skateboard off and start riding like a pro! The story has a great message and a funny ending - all written in a rhythmic rhyme that should keep any kid (or adult!) interested. The art is strange, but catchy - for children's books, this one is a great choice. from G. P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Group).

The story goes something like this: A little boy is celebrating his 8th birthday. He opens a gift, and it's a skateboard! He's happy, but his mom gets "a gleam in her eye..." She grabs up the skateboard, and asks permission to try it out as she flies out the door! She skates like a pro, and no matter what the poor little boy does, he can't get her to stop! He learns from his dad that his mom used to be a skateboarding champion - and so the little boy gets an idea. He goes and buys a skateboard for his mom, so they can skate together, and so she can teach him. But then, right when everything looks like it's ok, out comes granny, who scoops up the skateboard. The book ends with the line, "I heaved a great sigh: Granny - dear Granny - had a gleam in her eye."

The book is hilarious, and is teaches kids something truly valuable. On the back of the book is a cat saying, "You better ask your mom what surprises she has up her sleeve..." This is great for kids - it gets them to see that their parents are people, and it shows that anyone can enjoy a sport like skating - even a mom.

The art is a little weird. At first, I didn't like it - it's very bright, and a bit wild. But, it works well with the story, and it does keep your attention.

Barbara, the author, has founded the International Society for Skateboarding Moms and the Rolling for Reading program to encourage literacy. This is a truly remarkable book, and an excellent one for kids of any age.