"See Mom Run"
"See Mom Run," by Kara Douglass Thom. Illustrated by Lilly Golden. $15. 32 pages, hardcover. Breakaway Books, 2003.

"See Mom Run" is a cute story told from the point of view of a young girl, Penny. But it's not really about running.

Though running is key to the story, the book is really about encouragement. It tells children that "everyone who tries hard and crosses the finish line is a winner."

This is a noble thought, but one contradicted by so much that kids experience in life, particularly in school, that they might dismiss it.

Penny encourages her mom's running and helps her in practical ways. Pictures show the fun and joy they experience together and admiration Penny develops for her mother. At the end, Penny says, "Some day, I'm going to run like her."

This, of course, encourages kids to not only take a positive view of running, but of learning from and emulating parents.

Those of us who are -- or will be-- parents know encouraging our children is an important part of loving them. But we can also help our kids learn how to encourage us (and others). This book takes a good step in that direction.

Brandon Zylstra's wife, Rosie, is a runner. Their 11-month-old daughter will probably be a runner. His dad, oldest brother and uncle were runners, the latter till he hit about 80 years old. But Brandon is not a runner, claiming he has bad knees and tight hamstrings. That's his excuse. (Maybe he just needs more encouragement.) MR