the bedrock of family life.

Indeed, mothers perform thousands of important tasks, not all of them pleasant, year in and decade out, in the interests of their children. Most of the time their sacrifices and hard work are taken for granted, with any recognition being confined to special occasions.

Amanda Skinner got to thinking about all of this and decided that she would write and illustrate her children's book based on her own gratitude for all her mother, Mrs. Janine Lines, has done for her.

Its self-explanatory title is, `Mother is a Special Word.' "I was inspired by my grandmother's funeral,'' she explains. "She lived in England, and died this summer. A cousin wrote a beautiful letter that was read at her funeral. I thought, `What a shame she didn't get to hear it'. I got to thinking about my own mother and what she has done for me. Everything she did started to rhyme in my head one night while I was lying in bed so I jumped up and wrote it all down.'' It begins: "A mother is a special word, it's absolutely true, She is a very special person who has such a lot to do...'' In addition to the text, Mrs. Skinner has also done all of the illustrations for its 20 pages -- thanks to the encouragement of her husband, John Paul, who suggested that, instead of hiring an illustrator, she should first try her own hand at it.

Mother is a special word "I did and it worked,'' she smiles.

As a teacher of five-year-olds at Saltus Cavendish School, the author knows a thing or two about what makes children tick and has kept this in mind in producing her first book.

Her drawings are child-like in style, the figures multi-cultural, and the colours bright, fun and all-encompassing, with no white spaces anywhere.

"The whole look is very lively, and children will identify with my style,'' Mrs. Skinner explains.

The author is also proud to note that the book is an all-Bermuda publication from start to finish, with Mr. Hugh Murray-Mason, creative director at Insight Visual Communications, serving as advisor and designer.

Declaring both she and her husband happy with the finished product, Mrs.

Skinner says it is all boils down to a tribute to her mother in particular and all mothers in general, from which she hopes children will learn to be appreciative.

"I think there are a lot of mums out there in the world who do so much,'' the author says. "I wanted my mother to know how special she is. She is an incredible person and deserves this absolutely.'' `Mother is a Special Word' will be sold at various outlets, including The Bookmart, The Children's Bookstore, for $14 per copy.