Chic Women in Children’s Books

Last fall, we talked about hot dads in children’s books. But what about the moms?

When it comes to Sal’s mom, “it’s important to note that although her parenting skills should be called into question while losing her child in a field of bears during a blueberry-picking day gone awry, she is absolutely the mover and shaker of the cottage core fashion movement,” wrote the Instagram account Chic Moms in Books. Made me laugh.

Inspired, I went to my kids’ bookcases to find more. The mother in Ada Twist wears ’70s-inspired glasses and prints, and I love her under-the-dress layering top, a styling approach I am just starting to get into!

Meanwhile, Iggy Peck’s mom crushes mod dresses and chunky bangles. I’m also intrigued by the blue eyeliner on the lower lash line. Based on the two women above, I’d kill to see the morning drop-off scene at Blue River Creek Elementary.

In The Baby Tree, this mother is pregnant, feeding her kindergartener breakfast and running late for work, yet she still manages to look effortlessly cool in ballet flats and high pony.

Toby read In the Town All Year ‘Round every night for years, so I’m intimately familiar with all the characters. This cool lady — wearing striped maternity overalls and reading the print version of the newspaper — gives me strong Emma Straub vibes.

Tía Isa is an aunt with a pitch-perfect sense of color and pattern. Digging the dark red lipstick she swipes on, even in the summer.

We recently gave away a bunch of little kid books, but I couldn’t part with Mama, Is It Summer Yet? The mom is the kind of person I would want to be if I were very much not myself — an outdoorsy, country-dwelling strawberry-gardener who makes her own wind socks. Love her.

Finally, the mom in Spoon is not only a great listener but can give amazing perspective-taking pep talks. I learn from her, truly!

What would you add? Even though my kids are 9 and 12, we still love reading children’s picture books together — they’re such works of art. What are you reading these days?

P.S. Six words to say to your child, and the book series my kids can’t stop reading.