A Little Person Like You Whose Mommy Goes to Prison by Patty Prewitt
A Little Person Like You Whose Mommy Goes to Prison is a comforting story for children who are facing the confusing and painful experience of having a mother go to prison.
Written in simple, caring language, it follows a child who loves their mom, misses her deeply, and stays connected through letters, phone calls, and visits.
The story helps young readers understand what is happening, shows them that their feelings are normal, and reminds them that they are still loved. With tender drawings and a hopeful ending, this book is meant to be read by children on their own or shared with a trusted adult during a difficult time.
The book is written by Patty Prewitt, who understands this experience in a deeply personal way. Patty’s five children were still young when she was sent to prison, and for nearly four decades she stayed connected to them through letters, drawings, phone calls, and visits — the same tender threads of connection that appear in this story.
During her years inside, she became a source of comfort and encouragement to other mothers and their children, always reminding them that love continues even when families are apart. Because she lived this journey herself, Patty brings honesty, gentleness, and hope to a story meant to help children feel less alone.
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About the author
Patty Prewitt was born and raised on a cattle ranch near Lone Jack, Missouri, and was first published in Wee Wisdom Magazine while in second grade. During her incarceration she won a PEN America writing contest and has had both prose and poetry published in Wrath-Bearing Tree, The Massachusetts Review, The Tampa Review, Tacenda Literary Magazine, Cholla Needles, and Duende Literary Journal, and has had two plays performed at the Kennedy Center.
In December 2024, after over thirty-eight years of incarceration, Prewitt was released from prison. She now lives in Greenwood, Missouri, with family. Since her release, Prewitt has published her first book, gone skydiving, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Washington University. Trying to Catch Lightning in a Jar: Letters from Prison and A Little Person Like You Whose Mommy Goes to Prison are available from Some People Press.
About the artist
Yellow Moon has served 10 years in a Missouri prison, where they are a student with the Washington University Prison Education Project and an active member of Prison Performing Arts.