Memorable mums in children's literature
As we look forward to another Mother’s Day, we’ve been reflecting on some of our most unique and iconic mums in children's books. Maybe they made us laugh, or made us feel safe and loved. Or perhaps they challenged us to extend ourselves and step beyond our comfort zone. Here, in no particular order, are a few memorable mums from children's literature.
A mum who never lets visitors leave hungry:
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
In this classic picture book, Sophie and her mum are having tea in the kitchen when there is a knock on the door. It’s a tiger, who comes in and not only helps itself to tea, but to most of the food in the house. Mum not only takes this in her stride, but she promptly goes to the shops to buy more food, (including a tin of tiger food!) to make sure the tiger doesn’t get hungry the next time it visits. So thoughtful!
Suitable for ages 3 and up.
A mum who really needs a break:
Five Minutes' Peace by Jill Murphy
The author of the Worst Witch series also wrote an iconic series of picture books about the Large family – a noisy and numerous family of elephants. In perhaps the best-known book in the series, Five Minutes' Peace, Mum decides to hide in the bath with her breakfast and the morning papers in hopes of a little bit of peace and quiet. But the best laid plans are inevitably upended in this boisterous family! This story is loads of fun for families large and small.
Suitable for ages 3 and up.
A mum who loves to play tricks:
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
When Kanga and Roo come to the Hundred-Acre Wood, Rabbit concocts a hare-brained scheme to steal baby Roo and replace him with Piglet without Kanga noticing. The plan is enacted and Kanga hops away with Piglet in her pouch, but like any savvy mum she realises the baby swap immediately. Deciding to play along with the joke, Kanga gives Piglet a cold bath, scrubs him thoroughly, and forces medicine into him, all the while calling him Roo. Piglet can’t escape fast enough!
Suitable for ages 5 and up.
A mum who's also a queen:
Bluey: Queens by Bluey
Chilli from the Bluey series is happy to play make-believe, so when Bluey and Bingo decide to play Queens, she responds as a commoner with a Cockney accent whilst multitasking scrubbing the deck nearby (of course). Eventually Bluey and Bingo tire of being Queen and both want to be the butler waiting on her instead. They need a new Queen. Chilli gladly takes her rightful place on the throne after all her hard work and everyone is happy!
Suitable for ages 2 and up.
A mum who is utterly unique and needs rescuing:
Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars by Martine Murray
Molly’s mum is very different from the other mums and Molly finds that quite embarrassing. She likes to make potions, create home-cooked delights and run around barefoot, but Molly would really prefer if she could just be normal like her friend's mums. When Molly’s mum accidentally turns herself into a tree, Molly must summon the courage to rescue her, with help from her friend Pim, and change her opinion of her mum in the process.
Suitable for ages 10 and up.
A mum who loves to have fun:
Spot Loves his Mum by Eric Hill
Spot and his mum, Sally, always have a great time together, whether its playing hide-and-seek or baking and eating cakes. Sally appears in a number of the Spot books, but really takes the spotlight in this one when Spot gives her a special treat.
Suitable for ages 1 and up.
