There Was a Little Girl

The Real Story of My Mother and Me

By: Brooke Shields

Narrated by: Brooke Shields

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The perfect gift for Brooke Shields fans, There Was a Little Girl explores Brooke's relationship with her unforgettable mother, Teri, in this extraordinary, heartfelt memoir that became a New York Times best-seller.

Brooke Shields never had what anyone would consider an ordinary life. She was raised by her Newark-tough single mom, Teri, a woman who loved the world of show business and was often a media sensation all by herself. Brooke's iconic modeling career began by chance when she was only 11 months old, and Teri's skills as both Brooke's mother and her manager were formidable. But in private she was troubled and drank heavily.

As Brooke became an adult the pair made choices and sacrifices that would affect their relationship forever. And when Brooke's own daughters were born she found that her experience as a mother was shaped in every way by the woman who raised her. But despite the many ups and downs, Brooke was by Teri's side when she died in 2012, a loving daughter until the end.

Only Brooke knows the truth of the remarkable, difficult, complicated woman who was her mother. And now, in an honest, open memoir about her life growing up, Brooke will reveal stories and feelings that are relatable to anyone who has been a mother or daughter.

©2014 Brooke Shields (P)2014 Penguin

Blown Away

I grew up with Brooke and though we never met, our surroundings in NYC and our careers overlapped in some ways. I didn't know this when I started and I also thought her voice would annoy me. It didn't. She is insightful, brave, HONEST, hardworking, TOGETHER. Amazingly together given her experiences. I am hereby officially a fan. If I ever meet her I might just tell her that I learned a lot about my own mom from her. I can't believe a book about Teri Shields would change me so!!! The only reason it wasn't all 5 stars is that I cringed every time she said "Momma". Probably says more about me than the book. I have never heard or read anything that describes the complex mother/daughter relationship, esp in the face of chronic addiction. She must have done a sh-t load of work on herself to break it down like this. I respect her immensely for this.

I'm wiped out

I wasn't expecting this. I loved that Brooke narrated it herself and that she was so open about her relationship with her mother. It was an intriguing roller coaster of emotions. The last few chapters were so sad that I could only read in small increments.

Incredible

Well done. Very interesting and insightful. Look at a relationship of mother and daughter. Done with open eyes seeing both the hard times and the blessings. Done with love.

Enlightening

I enjoyed this audio book very much. Brooke was very detailed and raw. She painted a story very different than the media presented at the time these milestones were occurring. It was refreshing to hear Brooke’s truth.

Loved every minute of this book

So raw and real, read with such feeling by Brooke. Hearing her take on the dynamic with her Mom was touching.

Raw and Honest

I grew up in the same era as Brooke and followed her movies and career. Thank you Brooke for sharing your story with such honesty and vulnerability. This was such an interesting story and so well written.
I loved the natural flow of the narration, like chatting with a friend.

Thank you

I got a lot of help about my mother from your honesty. BRAVO. You are a wonderful author. Thank you again

Did Brooke meet her objective? I am not so sure...

Brooke started off the book saying that she wanted the present a better portrait of her mother to counter the object of ridicule that was often presented in the press. The first part of the book was sweet - a daughter presenting a likeable mother she admires. I have never dealt close up with an alcoholic and I can only imagine the struggle and disappointment it was for Brooke growing up and I admire her efforts to help her mother earlier on. Later on in her adulthood, even after she must have realized that alcoholism is a disease, she did not treat her mother well. Granted she may have been frustrated that her mother did not see her drinking as a problem but that is a part of the pathology. Long story short, I feel that Terri Shields end up coming off as much more likeable and sympathetic than Brooke. Brooke's poor treatment of Terri and her sometimes selfishness and slight narcissism bled through, unintentionally I imagine. Nevertheless, this is a good enough book since whether or not you like the characters is not the measure of a good book.

Heartwarming

Being a single home helped understand her mother and how Brooke felt about her mother. I have a stepson who lost his mother to alcoholism so it help me understand his relationship with her as well.

Wonderful book

I never knew anything about Brooke shields and the relationship with her mother. I remember things that the press would say and always thought her mom was tough and pushed her into show business. After hearing it narrated by Brooke herself, I realize how wrong I was. This book basically is a love story between herself and her mother. It is a story about every mother and daughter, whether your mother is an alcoholic or not. Brooke is incredibly intelligent, and lovely woman. The way she spoke of her mother when she was dying brought me to tears. The love these two women have for each other, the relationship and the laughter is a bond like no other.
Brooke although now it’s been years since your mothers death, after hearing your beautiful spoken words, I am truly sorry for the loss of your mother. And I hope now in 2021 you are doing better. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.