The First Thing My Mama Told Me by Susan…

The First Thing My Mama Told Me (original 2002; edition 2002)

by Susan Marie Swanson, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Conversations
45	13	591,747	(3.67)	None

kbartholomew1's review

By the title of the book and the first paragraph in the book, I was sure I was going to like. The first thing that the Lucy learned from her mother was her name and reading how much pride her mother had in the name was adorable. I thought the rest of the book would focus on other things that the girl learned from her mother, instead the rest of the book focused on this little girls name. The book was boring and it was difficult for me to read. The illustrations resembled water-color art, which I was not a fan of. I would not read this book to a group of students. (

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kbartholomew1 | Feb 8, 2015 |

All member reviews

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This is a book all about a name. This book is about a little girl Lucy and how she learned to spell her name and all the fun things her family did to help her. She had many opportunities to spell out her name throughout the book and that's what she liked to do. Everything had her name on it. The Illustrations were colorful and fun as well (

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jkl900 | Feb 21, 2018 |

This book is a story about how your name defines you and makes you unique. Lucy tells about all the special times in her life and how her name was used for them. Lucy shares all the different ways that she enjoys using her name. This a great story for children to read to learn why they should love their name, and why it is so special to them personally. This book is very different, the way it flows is just so calming. It would be a great bedtime story. I really love the style that Susan Swanson uses in her writing. (

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bethanygc | Oct 10, 2016 |

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kbartholomew1 | Feb 8, 2015 |

I thought this book was really cute. It gets you thinking about what was the first thing your mom told you. I would recommend this book for anyone. This is something I can identify with because my mom wrote my name on everything. As I got older I wanted things with my name or initials.It is a very realistic book. (

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jforrest21 | Nov 18, 2014 |

Genre: Realistic fiction
Review: Although we do not know that this story actually happened, it could happen to anyone. The girl is told her name and then she identifies it in numerous ways as she gets new clothes, goes to school, gets gifts, etc. These are all events that children experience, so it would be relatable to all readers.
Media: Colored pencil

shellybjorklund | Mar 7, 2012 |

This book is a realistic fiction because it is the story of this girls realization of her name. This is also appropriate with the stages of development, she is egocentric.

Characterization: This story is told from Lucy's perspective, but she mainly just explains what she did at different ages, we don't know anything about how she felt.

Media: Sketching and water color. (

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valdezj | Mar 5, 2012 |

This is a book about a little girl named Lucy. She tells the story of how she got her name and that was the first thing her mama told her. She loves her name and when she learned to spell and write it she wrote it everywhere. I could do a homework assignment and ask the students to ask their parents how they came up with their name. (

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csloan | Feb 8, 2012 |

The first thing a little girl's mom told her was her name. A thing she would use very often.

Genre: Fiction
Age(s): 4-8 (

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feboudre | Dec 3, 2011 |

Genre: Realistic fiction
Age Appropriateness: Primary
Review: This book is a great example of a realistic fiction book. It is a fun story about birthdays, which the kids will be able to relate to because they all have them. It also emphasizes individual names and the fact that everyone is special.

hsenseney05 | Nov 20, 2008 |

The story of a young girl named Lucy and how she uses her name throughout the years. From hearing it from her mother to beginning to write it on her own. (

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jcardwell04 | Dec 2, 2007 |

A realistic fiction that would be a great read to a girl named Lucy or any other child who needs to be reminded how great their name is. It could be used on birthdays or before an activity where the children are going to be using their names.

JessicasBooks |

Age Appropriateness: Early Primary
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Critique: There is nothing unrealistic about this book; it is just about a little girl who tells the audience how much she loves her name. Nothing fancy there! Lucy, the main character of the book, is a round character because we end up knowing so much about her. The book narrates experiences from her birth til her seventh birthday. (

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