“I loved reading the mum stories that people shared with Schultz. Some made me laugh, some made me tear up a little… and her telling of (mum) history is SO. MUCH. FUN!”

—The Plain-Spoken Pen

“Add this story to your library, then place it on your coffee table as a conversation starter. It is impossible not to recommend Texas football, homecoming, high school, and mums connected in ongoing customs for more than just Texans.”

— Syd Young, Stories

I’m not a parent and I didn’t attend high school in Texas, so I’m very much not in the target audience for Amy J. Schultz’s photo-memoir Mumentous, and yet, reading it I found myself laughing, crying, and finding new appreciation for my own mother, who never had to help me make anything like a homecoming mum, but sewed costumes for plays and Halloween, showed up with cupcakes whenever I had a school function that required them, chaperoned our orchestra tours, and drove me (and my friends) to numerous lessons, rehearsals, and other activities during my adolescence, all while working full-time.

— Melissa, Bibliotica

“This book is chockful of stories, old and new, men and women, and their stories of homecoming and mums. You might have your own mum story to share. And you can do so at the back of this book on one of the several blank pages! I might just have to see if I can find any photos from high school during this time.”

— Leslie Storey, Storeybook Reviews

“This book by Amy J. Schultz is an easy, fun read, with lots of pictures, and plenty of topics to dive into. I found myself wishing it had existed when my daughter was in high school… And I am glad that the book also covered some of the other thinking in regards to this super-large Texas tradition, for what would tradition be without anti-tradition…?”

— Rox Burkey

“Amy’s black and white photos compliment the story superbly with their nostalgic flare. Her captions are perfect—simple!  The only photo I wish she had included was the final hanging image of Whatamum!”

— Christena Stephens, Forgotten Winds

“Whether or not you like mums, this is still a book well worth having. The history is fascinating. The photographs are wonderful, and it’s always nice to see young people excited about an important part of high-school life.”

— Maryann Miller, Maryann Writes

“Mumentous takes us on a spirited journey. To me, these mammoth mums are like stepping into an alternate universe. But Amy J. Schultz captures the essence of this phenomenon with warmth and wit, making even the quirkiest aspects of it feel endearing. Enhancing the story was a collection of beautiful photographs. The way Schultz delves into the intricate details of creating these elaborate mums is nothing short of captivating. From the ribbons that seem to have a life of their own to the bewildering size of these creations, she paints a picture and shows us photos that are equal parts fascinating and bemusing. She also shares so many personal stories and inside looks at the women involved in this tradition. What truly sets Mumentous apart is Schultz’s affection for the tradition she’s uncovering. She embraces the bewilderment with a heart as big as Texas itself, inviting readers into the fold of this peculiar yet lovable custom. I appreciated the way she celebrated the unique spirit of Texas. She was also brave enough to look at some of the alternatives happening in local schools in place of Mums.”

— Jennie Reads

“In putting this book together, the author did her homework, no pun intended. I enjoyed the many stories Ms. Schultz shared from mothers of daughters, mothers of sons, high school students, faculty members, and entrepreneurs who found their niche and a gold mine in making outrageous mums… There are happy and heart-warming stories as well as heartbreaking ones.”

— Jan Sikes, Writing and Music

“With its mix of evocative and fun photographs of people, places, and things that are part of the mum experience, well-researched history of mum culture, and delightful (and sometimes poignant) stories of mums gone by, Mumentous is an unexpected love letter to its past and a thought-provoking peek into its future.”

—Karen Siddall, Boy’s Mom Reads

“Schultz has a very artistic style of writing and does an amazing job expressing the excitement of mum season… I am very impressed by the detail to history and self experience by the author. What better way to bring a tradition like this more alive than hearing from Schultz herself? There’s joy and humor to this book… the pictures were a great addition as well. As a reader, you’ll notice quickly that happiness ties them together… This book would be a great addition as a ‘coffee table book’, ‘conversation piece’, and ‘parent facing mum season guide’.”

— Haley Ringer, The Page Unbound