Publisher Synopsis: The jar of coins is full. The day has come to buy the chair--the big, fat, comfortable, wonderful chair they have been saving for. The chair that will replace the one that was burned up--along with everything else--in the terrible fire.

A book of love and tenderness filled with the affirmation of life.

Review:  After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save and save until they can afford to buy one big, comfortable chair that all three of them can enjoy.After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy. "A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family."--Horn Book.

LESSON: A CHAIR FOR MY MOTHER

Lesson Summary

A young girl, her mother, and her grandmother lost all of their belongings in a house fire. Generous friends, neighbors, and family replaced many things, but they still had no soft comfortable chair. They all placed their coins in a large jar for a long time until they saved enough money to buy a beautiful chair to share.

Concept: Savings

Definition: Savings is the part of a person's income that is not spent for goods and services or used to pay taxes.

Comprehension Questions

What did the family want to buy? Why?
They wanted a soft, comfortable chair because their other chair and sofa were lost in a fire.

Why didn't they just buy a new one?
They did not have enough money.

How were they able to buy a new chair at the end of the story?
They had saved enough money in the large jar.

How did the little girl earn money to save?
She worked at the restaurant with her mother. Her mother's boss would pay her.

What money would the mother add to the savings jar?
She would add the coins she earned from tips at the restaurant.

How did the grandmother increase the savings?
She would shop for the family's food at the market. Anytime she received a bargain price, she would put the savings into the savings jar.

What happened after they filled the savings jar with coins?
They rolled the coins and exchanged them at the bank for bills. They took the money downtown to purchase a new chair.

What will they probably do with the empty jar?
Answers will vary: They will probably start saving again for
something else they want to buy.

Other Concepts: Consumers, Economic Wants, Goods and Services

  Savings 

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