Mother’s Day may look a little different this year, but no less filled with love, warmth and the joy our families bring to our hearts. Here are a few titles that are perfect for sharing with loved ones, swelling with comfort and spreading tingles in the most glorious of ways.
Lola and Grandpa, Ashling Kwok (author), Yvonne Low (illus.), Little Pink Dog Books, May 2020.
This book is like an angel that has been sent down from heaven. It radiates a light that glows amongst the dark, when a sad loss is brightened by the purest of hearts and joyous memories that flood our souls to the core. Both text and illustrations are profound in the way they touch our every sense. Lola and Grandpa is a picture book about a special bond between a little girl and her grandpa – precious for families to share together to celebrate life, the beauty of nature, and the power of memory. A keepsake for all time.
My full review is here: www.justkidslit.com/bookreview-lola-and-grandpa-by-ashling-kwok-and-yvonne-low.
Not Too Far From My Back Door, Tania Louise Smith (author, publisher), November 2019.
A troubled girl with big emotions, bursting out stronger than she can imagine, is taken on a journey of soul-searching and connection to mother nature. As she wanders, her spirits are lifted by the breeze, her strength is supported by the mountain, her shine is replenished by the sun, her peace is restored by the shade of the softly spoken trees, and her purity is inspired by the blissful ocean. A beautifully poetic tale that reminds us all of our inner strength and the healing powers of being at one with mother nature. Mesmerising, artistic illustrations stroke gently on our emotions as we too, wander along the path, that is ‘not too far from my back door’. Share the bond of nature with your mother this Mother’s Day.
Remembering Mother Nature, Stuart French (author, illus.), Ethicool Books, April 2020.
If there ever was a time to be inspired by the mother of all mothers, it’s now. In this delightfully rhyming and important story, the reader is directly introduced to ‘old lady’ Mother Nature. The joyous colours, friendly faces and pretty scenes remind us of the beauty that she has cared for; the amazing wildlife and valuable habitats that make our world so wonderful. But what happens when Mother Nature starts to get tired, when human influence causes damage and the land starts to die? Remembering Mother Nature gives clarity to young ones about our negative impacts on the earth in an accessible way, and also encourages a kind of empowerment that gives readers the confidence to make change, and be the ‘superheroes’ of the future. This is the greatest gift our ‘Mother’ could ask for!
Find out more about Ethicool Books.
The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle, Brenda Gurr (author), Nancy Leschnikoff (illus.), New Frontier Publishing, March 2020.
Do you have someone in your family who loves to bake? This absolutely delicious new series for early to middle grade readers is like a cake pop of fun, with its food-related language sprinkled throughout, its light dusting of humour and a spattering of suspenseful messes to add to the cake-baking equation that needs to be solved. Zoe, aka Zinnia Jakes, is a nine-year-old undercover cake business owner, with a penchant for delivering cakes with a difference. The Crumbling Castle represents many challenges, from decorating the elaborate cake itself, to having a good business acumen, to making the right choices when it comes to helping others out. It’s not without themes of friendship and family dynamics, mathematical reasoning and lessons on home economics and the art of baking with love. Sweet enough to share with any member of the family, from age seven and up.
Bedtime, Daddy!, Sharon Giltrow (author), Katrin Dreiling (illus.), EK Books, May 2020.
This is the most adorable, informative tale on how to put Daddy to bed. It may not be about Mums, but a good poke at Dad’s funny antics might just be an equally fun treat! Bedtime, Daddy! encapsulates a kind of pure innocence, combined with the masterful manipulation of bedtime excuses that we know of our children, however, completely turned on its head. It’s young bear trying his darndest, until absolute exhaustion, to get his Daddy bear to stay in bed by attending to his every beckoning. One more book, thirsty, needing to poop, monsters under the bed, room too dark, too bright… And if you thought you already figured out the twist, there’s another cheeky one at the end! Perfectly simple, instructional language with a child-like quality, supported by animated, mixed media illustrations that are just so funny, make this book utterly charming and definitely worthy of a read every single night. Love it!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums, grandmums and special persons out there! Xx
Reviews by Romi Sharp
Other gorgeous books to share with the family that you might like to check out:
Isla’s Family Tree by Katrina McKelvey and Prue Pittock, EK Books, April 2020.
Goodnight, Glow Worms, Aura Parker, Scholastic, March 2020.
In My Dreams, Stef Gemmill and Tanja Stephani, New Frontier Publishing, April 2020.
Happiness is a Cloud, Robert Vescio and Nancy Bevington, Big Sky Publishing, May 2020.
3 thoughts to “Mother’s Day Beauties 2020”
A wonderful collection, Romi. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Norah! Hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day xx
I did, thank you, Romi. I hope you did too.