Mom Left Dirty Dishes in the Sink

Camille and her little brother, Weston, are adventurous, fun-spirited siblings who love dressing up and playing make-believe games like “Policeman and the Bad Guy.” The two enjoy racing remote control cars and running around the house chasing each other when they are, instead, supposed to be getting ready for school. This brother and sister duo have created an array of memories filled with hilarity, mischievousness, and wonder. Their father owns a print shop that Grandpa started. There, the siblings construct maps and create spy glasses, setting off for days filled with pirate escapades. At home, Dad wrestles with them and participates in birthday party celebrations. Then…there’s Mom, and Mom is Mom. She fusses about housework, the children having outfits that match, and hair that’s brushed. She enjoys drinking coffee with friends while exchanging stories about one another’s lives, children, and how exhausted they all are. She is, in Camille’s mind, quite boring. In fact, Camille begins to wonder, if at some point, “Mom forgot how to have fun.” Then, one day, she walks downstairs, only to discover Mom has made a savory, sugary breakfast, instead of the usual green, not-so-appealing smoothie. She notices Mom has changed. She’s more relaxed and loving, ready to embrace special childhood moments, like giving her daughter a gift she created for her before her birth. She has started to shift her focus away from fretting about the dishes in the sink and the busyness of the day to living in the here and now and to treasuring each moment of her young children’s lives.

Holly Carrington does a brilliant job of writing about a topic that hits home for many, many young families today—living busy lives in which there is little time and energy left for being truly present with their children to watch them grow and embrace what matters most in life. She adds wit and humor to her story that illuminate it, adding both excitement and anticipation for readers as to what will happen next! Additionally, the pictures that accompany the text are amazing—highly creative and masterfully woven through each page of this precious and timely book! Carrington’s audience is widened by her authentic style. The reading level of her book is appropriate for third and fourth graders, but children as young as five will enjoy the storyline and lavish in the ample supply of eye-catching illustrations. They will smile, laugh, and absorb each page of this adorable storybook, longing for more! Further, Mom Left Dirty Dishes in the Sink is a book that will capture the interest and attention of parents and teachers alike. It’s perfect for sharing with a classroom of students, with hopes of sparking intriguing discussions relating to family life in the current era or simply for using as a catalyst for inspiring young readers to want to read more. It’s unquestionably versatile and will make a great addition to nearly any library!