A Chair for My Mother

Written and Illustrated by Vera B. Williams

A young girl named Rosa, her waitress mother, and grandma share a residence that tragically burned down. Everything was reduced to ashes. 

All of their belongings were gone but the community rallied together to help them. The neighbors brought them food, clothing, furniture, silverware pots and pans and even a stuffed bear for Rosa.

Although they were very grateful they longed for a wonderful, beautiful, fat, soft armchair. Mother would love to come home and take a load of her tired feet after working her shift at the Blue Tile Diner and grandma needs a comfortable place to sit and cut up potatoes. 

Then one day mother brought home the biggest jar she could find and they began to save up every single shiny coin they could. Mother would contribute all her tip change, Rosa chipped in the money she received from working odd jobs at the diner and grandma gave all the savings from her grocery bargains. Finally, after a year the jar was full to the brim. 

Together they wrapped it in little paper wrappers and took all the rolled coins to the bank. After converting them into dollars they went shopping. Four stores later they had finally found the chair they were all dreaming of. 

Inspired as a child, Williams includes vividly colored folk art paintings. Each illustration is further enhanced by a natty patterned border which foreshadows the pattern of the desired chair. Working together towards a common goal and the value of saving are underlying themes that are evident in this heartwarming story.

They also coincides well with St. Leo's core value of respect in that tending to one's responsibility is showing respect for oneself and for others. 

Reader Response Questions

1. What is the family saving for? Do you think this is worthwhile?

2. Have you ever saved in order to buy something you really wanted?

3. How can being responsible help you earn money?

Motivational Activities

1. The teacher can pair the students and give each group a handful of random change. The group then would have to count the change and determine how much money they have. 

2. After counting the change, each group can choose what they would like to purchase for the classroom from pre-selected items.

 3. Once each group has purchased an item for the classroom they can share with their classmates their rational for choosing the item.

Vera B. Williams is an activist of peace and has participated in protests for womens' sake. Her work has been highly recognized and her awards include the Caldecott Honor for her most popular piece A Chair for My Mother which has also been translated into the Spanish language.

Williams, V. B. (19931991). A chair for my mother. Old Greenwich, CT: Listening Library.