When Jake's mum upcycles every last thing in the apartment, Jake begins to worry that the only thing left to change is . . . him! Jake's mum is not like most mums. Say there's a skip in the street, most mums will pass right by without a second glance. Not Jake's mum. "Look at this, Jake!" she'll shout. "We must have this! We must have this, too! And we simply must have this!" That's Jake's mum for you. She's a must-have mum. Soon Jake begins to worry that his mum will want to change him too. Should he be this way? Or that way? Or another way altogether? A heartwarming story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son, and a little boy who learns that he is perfect just the way he is.

Topical focus on upcyling and recycling as environmentally friendly practices. An extremely positive portrayal of disability in the character of Jake's mum. A heart-warming relationship between a mother and her son. Characters of colour by an #OwnVoices illustrator.

About the Author
Maudie Smith writes humorous and touching stories for children aged 2 to 12 including the picture books 'Milly and the Mermaids' and 'The Dressing-Up Dad'. She has an MA in Writing for Young People and lives in a village near Bath. Jen Khatun is a children's book illustrator cosily living by the coast of East Sussex in the UK. Her work resonates the hidden magic in everyday life and the close bonds between people, nature, and memories.

Reviews
"My Must-Have Mum is an exciting, joyful uplifting book about the super special relationship between mother and son. Told from son Jake's point of view, I love how much he adores his mum and her quirky habit of collecting and upcycling so many wonderful treasures. Utterly gorgeous!"

-My Book Corner

* My Book Corner *
"There is so much to enjoy in this charming, inclusive picture book, which beautifully celebrates diversity, acceptance and unconditional love. The bond between Jake and his mother, who happens to be a wheelchair user, is utterly heart-warming. Dynamic illustrations combine energetic drawings with vibrant pops of colour to produce images which are full of exciting details to explore."

-Book Trust

* Book Trust *

"A heart-warming story that embraces diversity, environmental issues and unconditional love. Mum's comforting words as Jake worries about her wanting to change him are so supportive and heartfelt - they are words that will reassure every child." -Story Snug

* Story Snug *
"This is a totally LOVELY book and deserves lots of attention - great for opening good conversations about disability, although the ABILITIES of the Mum in this story are what count most."

-Nicola Davies, children's author

-- Nicola Davies
"A truly lovely book, every page feels like a warm hug."

-Michelle Robinson, children's author

-- Michelle Robinson


Awards
Winner of A Sunday Times Book of the Week 2022.



Book Information
ISBN 9781913747688
Author Maudie Smith
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Lantana Publishing
Publisher Lantana Publishing
Weight(grams) 381g
Dimensions(mm) 260mm * 260mm * 8mm