A BIG ISSUE BOOK OF THE YEAR

A beautifully illustrated story, written with a light and humorous touch, that celebrates nontraditional families and captures exactly what lies at the heart of family life - love.

'Elvi, which one is your mum?'
'They're both my mum.'
'But which one's your real mum?'

When Nicholas wants to know which of Elvi's two mums is her real mum, she gives him lots of clues. Her real mum is a circus performer, and a pirate, and she even teaches spiders the art of web.

But Nicholas still can't work it out! Luckily, Elvi knows just how to explain it to her friend.

About the Author
Bernadette Green grew up loving animals and being outside. She was no happier than when she was high up in a tree or riding her horse, Blue. As a teenager she dreamed of becoming a writer, but life took her on different adventures. She was a mushroom picker for many years before studying to be a youth worker and then a writer. Bernadette now juggles writing and working as a disability support worker. She is the author of Who's Your Real Mum?, which was shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: early childhood. Bernadette lives in Naarm/Melbourne with her partner, their two kids, and two dogs. Anna Zobel is an illustrator, writer, and teacher from Melbourne, Australia. As a child, Anna wrote and illustrated her own books, and she hasn't stopped since. Anna is inspired - and occasionally infected - by the children she works with, and hopes to represent them in her work.

Reviews

'A tender and joyful tale that works through the reality of different sorts of families ... a story of love and acceptance without a hint of preachiness.'

-- Jane Graham * Big Issue 'Books of the Year' *

'This is a funny, tender story ... It's a thoughtful, playful tale that celebrates non-traditional families. Use it as a gentle starting point for your own classroom discussions.'

* Teach Primary *

'This warm, imaginative picture book has a clear message that, with same sex parents, both mums or dads are childrens' 'real' parents, and in fact parenting is about so much more than biology.'

* BookTrust *

'Aren't children just sometimes the best at explaining things! This book is an example of that.'

-- Saffia Farr * Juno *

'Outstanding.'

* Books for Keeps *

'Beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated, this book is an absolute delight to read! Loved it!'

-- Claire Webb * Armadillo Magazine *

'A sensitive story that encourages children to talk and think about a diverse range of family setups.'

* The School Reading List *

'This is an exceptional book. It promises kindness, humour, and insight, and absolutely delivers ... Who's Your Real Mum? manages that rare combination of meaningful moral and pure narrative pleasure.'

-- Anica Boulanger-Mashberg * Books+Publishing *

'Elvi (a child of colour with light brown skin and straight, brown hair) has two mums (one of whom has darker skin and hair and one, lighter than Elvi). When Nicholas (who has light brown skin and curly hair) comes over to their house, he asks, 'Elvi, which one is your real mum?' Elvi's initial, confident retort is: 'They're both my real mum.' Elvi patiently offers similar responses as Nicholas persists, then starts to have a little fun... Ideally, readers who need this message will grasp it sooner than Nicholas does, though perhaps the book's impact will have more power for those who read it as validation of their own experiences enduring microaggressions.'

* Kirkus Review *

'The limited colour palette is striking for its yellows, which are gender neutral and contrast with the imagined scenes in blues ... Square panels and sequential scenes give a comics feel to the illustrations and correspond with the playful tone of Elvi's responses to Nicholas' questions. This Australian import may encourage kids with same-sex parents and could serve as a prompt for a creative writing exercise.'

* Booklist *

'This imaginative picture book affirmation of family centers brown-skinned Elvi, who has two mothers. When Elvi's friend Nicholas asks which of her parents is the 'real' one ... Elvi cleverly reframes the subject, defining her mother in ways every child can understand ... Hatched and stippled textures in ink and marker ... offer the illustrations a snug, soft feel.'

* Publishers Weekly *

'[A]n empowering approach that shows a child who confidently has her own solution ... [T]here's still a time and a place for books that deal smartly with some of the questions that children in LGBTQ families may encounter. Who's Your Real Mum? is one of them.'

* Mombian *

'A gorgeous story with an understanding and tender heart. There's a lot of humour within, a nurturing of curiosity and absurdity but overall; it's a story about family, and love - always love.'

* Alpha Reader *

'[N]ot enough children's books out there that represent these families ... [A] great way to show children different kinds of families.'

* Youth Services Book Review *

'This is a question I imagine many children with same sex parents receive. It must get old. Real old. The illustrations of this picture book show how much Elvi feels loved and supported in her family, and how, as Nicholas continues to just not get it, she resorts to her powerful imagination ... [W]e highly recommend it!'

* Baby Librarians *

'Elvi's imagination guides her answer to a curious question about what is real. Love is bigger than any answer she can give and her age appropriate answer is pedagogically perfect and developmentally spot on.'

-- Jesica Sweedler DeHart * Librarian Review, Neill Public Library *

'All mums will love this! ... [A]n endearing and fun book for all young readers and grown-ups who care for them.'

-- Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA

'Who's Your Real Mum? is a beautifully illustrated and entertaining picture book story by the team of author/storyteller Bernadette Green and artist/illustrator Anna Zobel that celebrates nontraditional families and captures exactly what lies at the heart of family life - love.'

* Midwest Book Review *

'Funny, tender ... Use it as a gentle starting point for your own classroom discussions.'

* Teach Primary *


Awards
Short-listed for Kingston and Richmond Spark! Book Awards 2021 (UK). Long-listed for CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood 2021 (Australia) and CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2021 (Australia) and UKLA Book Awards in the 3-6+ age category 2021 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781913348137
Author Bernadette Green
Format Paperback
Page Count 32
Imprint Scribble UK
Publisher Scribe Publications