"Ohhh, Mommy."

It was the '60s.

Connie, co-owner of Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London, New Hampshire, was getting ready to go out for the evening. She was at the top of the stairs in her home wearing a beautiful caftan (remember that it's the '60s). Her three-year-old son was climbing the stairs. When he saw his mom, he exclaimed, "Ohhh, Mommy."

When Connie was reading MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, she was reminded of that moment with her son.

"My mother is so smart, she can change into a movie star when she and my father go out at night."

Text Copyright 2010 by Tomie dePaola. From MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Happy MY MOTHER IS SO SMART Publication Day!

Illustration from MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Copyright 2010 by Tomie dePaola.

MY MOTHER IS SO SMART Reviewed

Here are excerpts from the Kirkus review of MY MOTHER IS SO SMART.

"In most respects, this Supermom is Everymom, and her son's awed appreciation is winning in its ingenuousness... The artist's characteristic borders give the book a cozy intimacy that allows this petite memoir to connect with its modern audience. For a holiday too often characterized by cold-hearted calculation, this sweetly honest offering hits just the right note."

G. P. Putnam's Sons, Publication Date March 23, 2010

Flat at Work

Mrs. Cooper's second grade class at Buttonwillow School in Buttonwillow, California, sent Andrea's Flat Stanley for a visit. Tomie asked Flat to review the first proofs of MY MOTHER IS SO SMART (publication on March 18, 2010) that were received this afternoon. Flat gave the proofs a "thumbs up." Tomie said, "Thanks, Flat!"

Is Your Mother Smart?

Tomie shipped the completed artwork for MY MOTHER IS SO SMART (Putnam, March 18, 2010) to his publisher this past Monday. Today, he opened a packet of letters from Rita Lenes's second grade class at Carriage Crest Elementary in Renton, Washington, and many of the students wrote to explain why their mothers were smart, too.

Sydney: Yes, my mother is smart. She helps organize the furniture to where it is going.

Celeste: My mom is smart because she can add big numbers.

Alex: My mother is smart because she knows how to out smart me. Ideas for another book: My dad is smart.

Allison: My mom is smart because she brain storms a lot and she reads a lot of books, does math and that's how she got so smart.

Ben: My mom is smart because she doesn't buy food cans that are damaged.

Victor: My mom is smart because she helps me with my homework.

Jolie: My mother is smart because I have hard fraction problems in homework and she makes it easy to do.

Sabica: My mom is smart because she always cooks and helps me with other stuff.

Kenan: My mom is smart because she knows when people are hurt.

Randy: Mr. Tomie, my mother is smart because she buys food that I want. I don't have to tell her.

Irene: My mother is smart because she knows what happens next. AMAZING I say!

Connor: My mom is special because she has me and three other kids.

Alexandra: My mother is very smart. She is beautiful, too.

Ahron: My mom is smart because she is a teacher.

Chloe: My mom is smart because she can help me with all my homework.

Colin: My mom is smart because she knows when the bus is gone.

Taylor: My mother is smart because she knows all the countries she's teaching me.

Kierra: My mother is smart. Very, very smart. She can help my fourth grade brother on fifth grade math and she knows most things about cooking. Well, she... let's put it this way: She knows a lot about cooking. She is a great cook! She also helps me make stuff in the shop and she helps me make stuff out of fabric.