Mom's Eve: The Night Before Mother's Day by Natasha Wing

'Twas the night before Mother's Day when as quiet as a mouse,
Dad told us his plan to get Mom out of the house.

Her sneakers were set by the doorway with care,
In hopes that her running pals soon would be there.

Then Mom in her sweatsuit and red baseball cap,
Plugged in her earphones and jogged off in a snap.

With Mom safely out of the way for a while, Dad and the two kids whirl into action. There's the fancy cake to be made, handmade cards to be designed, and a very special handwritten coupon enclosed, one that Mom needs a lot! With their products well hidden, the two girls nestle snugly in bed with visions of Mom's joy dancing in their heads.

And in the morning, surprise! there's a special Mom bouquet, a crown, and a throne all ready for her, and she is feted with her coupon for a home spa treatment.

And after her mani and pedi, mud mask, and massage session, Mom is ready for her guest appearance at Dad's gourmet brunch.

Her eyes--how they sparkled!
Her brown hair--how curly.
Her cheeks were like roses,
Her skirt--very twirly!

Natasha Wing's latest holiday parody on The Night Before Christmas model, The Night Before Mother's Day (Reading Railroad) (Grosset & Dunlap, 2010) is a sweet treat to help celebrate that special day for mothers. Amy Wummer's charming portrayal of a small family pitching in to provide their own do-it-yourself celebration and Wing's familiar format which touches just enough on the original's rhyme scheme and meter make this one a joy to read aloud, and at a bargain price, it's a first choice for Mother's Day story time.