• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

When Mama goes to work,
she wears her working clothes.
She combs her hair,
She packs a lunch,
She takes her special bag.
When Mama goes to work,
I wear my playing clothes.
I comb my hair,
I pack a lunch,
I take my special bag.
When Mama Goes to Work follows several children and their working mothers as they move through their day. From morning to night, through the daily activities of work and play, children and parents keep each other in their thoughts even when they are apart.

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch est l’auteure d’une dizaine de livres dont Cher Journal : Prisonniers de la grande forêt, Enfant volée, Soldat clandestin et Faire des bombes pour Hitler. Elle a remporté de nombreux prix et est l’une des auteures canadiennes de romans historiques pour les jeunes les plus respectées. L’écriture de Marsha met en relief son héritage ukrainien. Elle a reçu l’Ordre de la princesse Olga de la part du président ukrainien. Elle vit à Brantford, en Ontario.

MARSHA FORCHUK SKRYPUCH is the author of more than a dozen books, including Dear Canada: Prisoners in the Promised Land, Stolen Child, Making Bombs for Hitler, Underground Soldier and Don’t Tell the Enemy. She has won many awards for her work and is one of Canada’s most respected authors of historical fiction for young people. Much of Marsha’s writing focuses on stories from her Ukrainian heritage, and she has been presented with the Order of Princess Olha by the President of Ukraine and named a Canadian Ukrainian Woman of Distinction. Marsha lives in Brantford, Ontario. Visit her online at www.calla.com.

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's profile page

Jessica Phillips attended the Alberta College of Art and Design. She currently works as a freelance illustrator, with a specific interest in children's illustration. When Mama Goes to Work is her first book.

Jessica Phillips' profile page

"Skrypuch treads familiar ground, separation anxiety is a major aspect of childhood development. But this tale isn't full of tantrums or tears; instead, the kids in these families are shining examples of confidence and security. . . Skrypuch follows only four families, but the variety of ethnicities and careers included is commendable. . . Sunny, cartoonlike illustrations add to the cheer"
— Kirkus Reviews

"Charming, playful illustration of different households that have working mothers and cheerful children illustrate this warmhearted picturebook, especially recommended for read-aloud storytime between parents and children."
— Midwest Book Review

"When Mama Goes to Work is a well-written, well-illustrated book for young children. School-aged children may not appreciate this book as they have probably already experienced the issues that young children with working mothers may face. As a working mother with young children myself, I found this to be a great book to share. It opened up a dialogue with my son about what I do when I work and how much I miss him. This book would make a great addition to any children's collection and could work well in a group story-time session with related activities and discussion for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Highly Recommended"
— CM Magazine