The Best Mother

For every child who’s ever wondered if the grass is greener, New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator Diane Goode and C. M. Surrisi’s The Best Mother affirms that there’s nothing better than your own mother’s love.

When Maxine wakes up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, she wonders if the problem might be her mother. What if she could try out a new mom who doesn’t make her brush her teeth or comb her hair?

Enlisting Mom to help her with the search, Maxine interviews various prospects to be her new mother at the park, the toy store, and the zoo. Unfortunately, these other mothers present a host of new problems and concerns. Maybe her “old mother” was the best mother of all?

“Goode’s pen-and-ink, watercolor, gouache, and pastel illustrations emphasize relationships and emotions . . . A delightful look at a what-if all children have considered, if not acted upon.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Surrisi’s concise writing explores this universal theme in a fresh way . . . Goode’s recognizable pen-and-ink drawings with watercolor, gouache, and pastel suit the humorous and heartfelt story.” —School Library Journal