Mama’s Bank Account is about a Norwegian immigrant family who lives in San Francisco.

They are poor, but always seem to manage to make it through the rough parts of life.

Of all the characters in this book, it is Mama whom all the others look up to in times of need.

Living in the city can be hard and frustrating and even fearful for children growing up in a poor family.

But despite all of this, Mama is determined to raise her children without them having the fearing poverty.

Mama’s Bank Account is a story revolving around this one loving mother’s determination to keep her family together and happy without the fear of the world.

This story, based on Kathryn Forbes own childhood is one you won’t want to put down until the very end.

Book Details

Author: Kathryn Forbes

Publisher: Harcourt Inc.

Age Range: 10 and up

Pages: 147

Media Type: Paperback, Hardcover,

ISBN: 0-15-656377-0

What to expect; sweet family type story, humorous

Character of the day:

One of my most favorite characters is Katrin.

Mama’s Bank Account is written from Katrin’s perspective.

Often, one of the stories will be about some jam or pickle that she got herself into and then can’t seem to find a way out.

The problem only continues to get worse until finally she tells Mama all about it.

And only then with Mama’s help, does the problem ever get better.

The book starts when Katrin is a young child and then continues as she gets older.

She tends to be a bit dramatic and is not a girlie girl so much.

It is funny to read her thoughts in some of the stories.

Kathryn Forbes did a good job in portraying Katrin’s family’s humor and love for each other.

What I liked about Mama’s Bank Account:

I like Mama’s Bank Account because it is very sweet and endearing and it is also funny.

One of my favorite parts is when one of the little girls gets sick and gets taken to the hospital.

She has to have surgery right away so Mama tells them to do it.

But at the time Papa is away at work and when the surgery is done they won’t let her see her child.

Mama insists that she sees her little girl.

After several attempts to go see her, Mama finally comes up with the most daring plan of all.

She decides to go and pretend she is a janitor.

You will have to read it if you want to know how that one ends.

The whole book is filled with stories where something bad will happen and Katrin and her family can’t find a solution.

Then in walks Mama, with her abounding love and compassion she always seems to find a solution for every problem.

What I didn’t like about Mama’s Bank Account:

Mama’s Bank Account is a wonderful story but I definitely don’t agree with all of their morals.

Like when Katrin’s friend went to some sort of Catholic service just so that Katrin would get good luck for the problem she was in.

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Sarah Plain and Tall:

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