So, here’s a cute gift idea for young families this mother’s day.
Instead of soap, or chocolates, how about a picture book that celebrates ‘mother-love’?
This is why I call a ‘win-win’ gift – a child gets the benefit of adding a new book to their shelves, while the mum gets to read a story to them about how wonderful mothers are!
Here’s a selection of some of new, and classic ‘mother-love’ and ‘grandmother-love’ books.
‘Where the While Mums Are,’ by Katie Blackburn and Sholto Walker
For: 3-6 year olds
About: ‘The day Mum didn’t get dressed and went on strike, Dad called her ‘a Wild Thing’ and Mum said ‘Cook your own dinner’ and stomped off upstairs to have a bath . . .
In this homage to Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, a worn-out mum finds herself floating across time and space to the place where the Wild Mums are. Dazzled by her party tricks, they crown her Queen of the Wild Mums and try to entice her to join their conga . . . But Mum has just remembered who she loves best of all . . .
Format: Hardcover, 32 pp.
*Release date – May 1, 2015*
‘Just Like My Mum,’ by David Melling
For: 2-4 year olds
About: The story of a mischievous little lion cub who wants to be just like his wonderful, lioness. Gorgeous illustrations and minimal text make this perfect for the younger child.
Format: paperback, 32pp
‘Guess How Much I Love You,’ by Sam McBratney, and illustrated by Anita Jeram
For: 0-4 year olds
About: If you’ve ever told your child that you love them ‘all the way to the moon and back’, then you were quoting from this book. Having sold more than 18 million copies, the story of how little nutbrown hare tries to quantify his love for big nutbrown hare is a publishing classic.
Format: Available as paperback or board book. 32 pp.
‘Hugless Douglas’, by David Melling.
For: 2-4 year olds
About: Douglas the bear wakes up in desperate need of a hug. He tries (unsuccessfully) to get one from a range of different animals, before he realises that the best person from which to get a bear hug – is his mum!
Format: Paperback, 32 pp.
‘My Mum’s the Best,’ by Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley
For: 0-5 year olds
About: Beautifully illustrated with delightful animals, My Mum’s the Best captures the fun-loving bond between mother and child – from big, cosy bear hugs to bathing elephants. Whether big or small, feathered or furry, mums always know how to make us feel special!
Format: Board book, 24 pages
‘The Grandma Book,’ by Todd Parr
For: 2-5 year olds
About: Strap on your sunglasses for this brightly coloured picture book all about Grandmas – the ones who drive really fast, the ones who drive really slow, the ones who live with a grandpa, and the ones who live with friends. All grandmas are different, but what they ALL love, is to hear from their grandkids.
Format: Paperback, 32 pp
‘ Why I Love My Grandma’, by Daniel Howarth.
For: 2-5 year olds
About: Everyone’s grandma is the best. And who better to tell the world than children themselves? This charming book combines endearing things said by children about their grandmas with gentle illustrations of familiar animals.
Format: Boardbook, 30pp
