I hope everyone is dedicating today to grabbing their nearest and dearest ladies and telling them that you love them. Not everyone has a mum, but motherly figures are all around us. Even in children's and young adult books. I've picked some of my favourites, so take a look...
(Yes, I am aware that rhymed, and yes, I am available for freelancin' freestylin' opportunities.)
From I heart You Mum with the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
1. Mrs Large, from Jill Murphy's Five Minutes' Peace. Mrs Large is a selfless elephant mum who just wants some time to recharge her batteries. Despite having plans for the perfect morning, she entertains and gives her three cheeky children the breakfast she made and the bath she ran, settling for a measly three minutes and forty-five seconds peace before chaos inevitably ensues again. We salute you, Mrs. Large!
Published by Walker Books, get this book at Waterstones or Amazon.
2. Molly Weasley, from the Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling. Oh, did you really think she wouldn't be on this list? Here is a woman who not only has seven children of her own, but also thinks of her son's friend Harry, the famous orphan wizard, as one of her own too. She is a fiercely loving woman, who would sacrifice everything to keep her children safe, a fine knitter, and an all-round bad-ass witch. Don't mess with her!
“[Harry’s]’s not your son,” said Sirius quietly. “He’s as good as,” said Mrs. Weasley fiercely.
3. Marmee March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. A very traditional figure, and the paramount figure of the March family. She holds her family together when her husband is away at war. She raised daughters to be intelligent and kind women. She is firm and honest with her children and loves them all unconditionally. What more could you ask for?!
"I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected."
The oldest on the list, Little Women was published by the Robert Brothers in 1868-9. But you can still buy it today at Waterstones or Amazon.
4. Kanga from the Winnie the Pooh universe, by A. A. Milne. As far as I am aware, the first time Milne mentions Kanga is in Chapter Seven when she and Baby Roo first move to the Forest. Rabbit is not a fan of an animal who "carries her family about with her in her pocket" and plans to kidnap Roo for leverage to force her to leave (Boo!). It is Piglet that perfectly sums up that fierce love of a mother: "Kanga was Generally Regarded as One of the Fiercer Animals... but it is well known that if One of the Fiercer Animals is Deprived of Its Young, it becomes as fierce as Two of the Fiercer Animals." In other words: don't mess with a mother who is simply trying to keep her baby safe! First published in 1926, the stories of Winnie the Pooh have been with us for over 90 years, thanks to Methuen & Co. Ltd! You can buy the stories of the nation's best loved bear (sorry Paddington) at Waterstones or Amazon, and you can even visit the V&A exhibition until April 2018!
5. Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit from the beautiful imagination of Beatrix Potter. Often described as anxious by readers, Mrs Twitchit is the mother of three rather naughty kittens who constantly test her patience. She is a proud disciplinarian and a strong business-women/cat. Tabitha does not feature very heavily in Potter's work, but in her brief encounters we learn that she raises the cheeky Moppet, Mittens and, of course, Tom Kitten by herself. She juggles motherhood with her successful shop in town (she does not give credit, however), what a lady!
Frederick Warne & Co. published Beatrix Potter's first story The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902! You can get your paws on the gorgeous collection of Potter's iconic works at Waterstones or Amazon.
Buy your egg-cellent copy from Waterstones or Amazon or the Five Quills website!
7. Mummy from Mummy's Home by Christopher MacGregor. We get a clear picture of the kind of mother Mummy is in this book: a hard-working one! She may go away for work regularly (and I think more and more kids can relate to that), but that doesn't mean she doesn't love you! This green alien-lady is off helping other people and being "fantabulous", while her children are counting down the days until she comes home. It's a beautiful story about children missing their parents, reassuring them that things will be ok, and that they can talk about that anxiety or sadness they feel about being apart from their parent.
"I know she loves me more each day, / The longer we're apart. / I feel it build with every beat / Inside my little heart."
You can buy Mummy's Home from Waterstones or Amazon. Daddy's Going Away is an alternative from Picture Corgi (a Random House imprint).
"I love you right up to the moon - and back."
***
Aren't they all just fabulous? I hope I haven't missed your favourite book mum! Please let me know in the comments if I have!
Not only do I have a selfless, kind and hilarious mum of my own, who I have always looked up to (except for the attitude-filled teenage years, sorry mumma!), but I have amazing aunties, cousins and friends too! So today, I'm remembering to remind them how much I love and appreciate them!
Enjoy spoiling the ladies in your life today, I know I will!
Bye x
P.S. You can buy these books from most bookshops or retailers, and I don't have an affiliation with either company, I just like to link these website because I know that they are often the easiest option. Most of these will also be in your local library, so make sure you're supporting those too!
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