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May 10, 2002/Iyar 28, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 34
Mom relates motherhood tales through poetry
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
Last year, Jettie Kootman was standing at a bus stop with two other mothers talking about how dreadful they looked. One mom commented "It doesn't matter what we look like, we're just the 'morning mommies.' "
Later that day, Kootman wrote a poem called "Here's to the Morning Mommies," and now, a year later, has published this poem, and 42 others, in her first book, "Mommies are Magical: The Love Begins" ($17.95 Desert Cactus Publishing, hardcover).
After writing the initial poem, "I started thinking about all the funny little things that happened in my life and the stories just flowed out of me," Kootman says.
Kootman, mother of three, says the only things she previously wrote were rhyming couplets for scavenger hunt clues for her children's birthday parties and poetry for her oldest son's bar mitzvah candle lighting ceremony. "But I never put it together as something ... that could be anything more than just cutesy little things," she says. "This took on a life of its own."
The poems in the book are based on Kootman's experiences of motherhood, with subjects ranging from homework, rated-R movies and slumber parties to piano lessons, laundry and fast food. Illustrations are by local artist Sonny Schug.
"I really think all moms can relate to this," Kootman says. "I think every mom has been through (all these situations)."
When she finished writing her poems, Kootman searched for an agent, sending out a few poems with illustrations and a bio. "Most of them came back unopened," she says.
During her agent search, she met Rhonda Winchell of The Author's Agency in Boise, Idaho, who told her that publishers tend to shy away from poetry and she'd be better off self-publishing.
With help from Winchell, Kootman formed her own company, Desert Cactus Publishing, and printed 4,000 copies of the book. "I could not have done this without her," Kootman says.
So far, Kootman has sold about 200 copies through self-promotion. "I am walking store to store, gift shop to gift shop," she says.
On May 4, she signed copies of her books at a Scottsdale Barnes & Noble bookstore. She will appear on "12 News Saturday," which airs 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11, on Channel 12.
Kootman and her husband Rick are members of Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale, along with their three children, Michael, 21, Drew, 12, and Brooke, 10.
The book is available at several local bookstores and gift shops. For a complete list, visit www.desertcactuspublishing.com or write jettieaz@aol.com.
Homework
By Jettie Kootman
Why do we fight over this every day
They come home from school and want to play
I tell them firmly, "Homework first!"
"But, Mom, we need food and to quench our thirst"
I understand their need to unwind
After all, school can be a daily grind
"As soon as you've rested and had a snack
It's time to pull out what's in your backpack"
"But, Mom, Johnny's called. Can I play for awhile?
I've got plenty of time to tackle that pile."
But there's after school sessions - karate and such...
"We'll get to it soon, besides, we don't have that much!"
It's 10 o'clock now and the bed looks inviting
Even Channel 12 News could be really exciting
But we're working in the kitchen and I think with sorrow,
How could he forget the book report's due tomorrow?
Reprinted with permission from "Mommies are Magical: The Love Begins."
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