Little Fish and Mummy on Mother's Day!

Happy Mother’s Day! Walker is celebrating with a lovely, brand-new shaped board book from the world of Hooray for Fish! In this heart-warming rhyming story from the wonderful Lucy Cousins, Little Fish is having a special day, just him and Mummy Fish:

My mummy’s orange just like me.

We both have yellow spots.

I love my mummy very much,

I know she loves me lots.

  

It’s got the team thinking about all the things we share with the mum-figures in our lives, related or otherwise. No one’s mentioned yellow spots, but here are some choice love-filled testimonies from us all:

Nghiem Ta, Art Director

When I was growing up, my mum was strict and fearsome. To us kids, all she did was work and cook... all the little things we took (and take) for granted! Now, as a grown-up, I see my mum as the wonder she is. She’s accomplished so much on her own and is such an inspiration to me.

And she still cooks amazing food! Yum!

Isabelle Gamon, Art Director

When I was a child, I desperately wanted a Barbie Dream House, but couldn’t buy one. Instead, my mother spent a week building my doll her very own home, complete with real wallpaper and hand-knitted furnishings. This to me sums up all that is wonderful about my mum: she is resourceful, creative, dedicated, and filled with unconditional love.  It also might be why I’m now obsessed with Grand Designs...

Bonne fête des mères, maman. Bisous.

Ruby Constable, Assistant Editor

When I was little, my grandma used to tell me the most extraordinary bedtime stories, which turned out were actually the plots of famous book and films. My absolute favourite was Jane Eyre. Charlotte Brontë’s version is alright, but my gran does a satisfyingly terrifying Bertha impression and could tell the whole story in the ten minutes before lights out. She also made up a beautiful lullaby about butterflies, which I later discovered had the same melody as The Godfather theme tune. 

Happy Mothers’ Day gran. You’re weird, I love it.

Hannah Whitaker, Senior Creative Editor

When I was a six, my father made me a beautiful dolls house which I used to play with all the time. My daughter Amelia - who is eight - has it in her bedroom now, and we love to spend time together moving all the furniture around!

Inês Amaral, Designer

Me and my mum both love cabbage, steamed fish and chewing on bones. Not a pretty picture, but my mum’s satisfaction with having food companion makes it very worth it.

Happy Mother’s Day mum, you are and always be my inspiration, moral compass and favourite chef.

Rachel Boden, Senior Commissioning Editor

My children and I share a love of books. Funny ones, sad ones, magical ones. I still read to them every night. We do silly voices – my seven-year-old daughter does an excellent Texan drawl for completely inappropriate characters (e.g. Rainbow Fairies). No room is complete without a shelf of books, as proven when my son built himself a house in Minecraft, aged 6, and included a golden throne and a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. I am hoping for a golden throne as a Mother’s Day gift this year…

What special thing do you share with the mothering figure(s) in your life? Let us know below! And don’t forget to pick up a copy of Little Fish and Mummy, swimming into a bookshop near you!

Celebrate Mother's Day with Five Minutes' Peace

Just want five minute peace? Celebrate the joys of motherhood with this gorgeous Mother's Day gift edition of the modern picture book classic!

"If you are not familiar with these stories, you really have not lived ... you just couldn't get better" Guardian 

Mums everywhere will understand the plight of poor Mrs Large. All she wants is five minutes' peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! So, taking refuge in the bathroom, she fills herself a hot, foamy bubble bath and takes in a tray of her favourite breakfast and the morning paper. But there’s never a dull moment with the Large family, and it soon becomes clear that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill Murphy.

5 things mums REALLY want for Mother’s Day

We asked mums with young kids what they REALLY want for Mother’s Day. Here’s what they said…

1. A clean house. I wish they would pick up their toys and tidy up after themselves for just one day!
2. Breakfast in bed. I wish they could make the breakfast for a change. And bring it to me in bed. And then wash up.
3. Pamper me. A non-essential present, like a spa treatment, flowers or perfume.
4. Something homemade. A card made by them is always nicer than something generic bought in a shop.
5. Me time. To be able to just go to the toilet or take a bath – on my own!

To celebrate Mother's Day, we've made a special Mother's Day edition of the classic picture book which is gorgeous! You can pick up a copy in your local bookshop.

Happy Mother's Day!

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and time to celebrate brilliant mummies and mammies everywhere! Stuck for a last minute Mother's Day gift? Here are our top five picture book picks:

1. Mother's Day by Shirley Hughes

In this classic story Shirley Hughes, Katy and her little brother Olly tell us about their day with Mum. From the fun of waking Mum and Dad up in the morning, getting the bus into town with Mum or even stories all together at bedtime, this joyous tale gives readers a snapshot into a child's day and celebrates the special bond between a mother and child.

2. Five Minutes Peace by Jill Murphy

A family picture book favourite, this is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! It soon becomes clear that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill Murphy.

3. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

"I love you right up to the moon – and back." The story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares’ efforts to express their love for each other has become a bestselling classic, and is a firm favourite with children aged 0-5 years.

4. A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

The heart-warming story of Little Owl who has fallen from his nest. Where is his mummy? With the earnest assistance of his new friend Squirrel, Little Owl sets off in search of her, and meets a sequence of other animals. Yet while one might have his mummy's big eyes, and another her pointy ears, they are simply not her. Chris Haughton's striking colour illustrations follow Little Owl on his quest. Which of his new friends will lead him back to his mummy?

5. My Mum is Fantastic by Nick Butterworth

The mum in this book is truly fantastic. She's a brilliant artist, she can balance on a tightrope, she can swim like a fish, do amazing stunts on a bike and she can even tame wild animals ... in fact, there's very little this astounding mum can't do. The book ends: "It's great to have a mum like mine. It's fantastic!" And no one can argue with that!

Find all of these book at your local bookshop.