All mothers are good

“All mothers are good” is written by a well-loved Estonian writer Ilmar Tomusk and the colorful illustrations are made by Maite Kotta.

When Maggie was born, she was so tiny that she was named Maggie, not Margaret or Mary as some might think. But soon after she was born, Maggie’s mother decided that she was too busy to take the baby home with her and Maggie was sent to an orphanage, where she was well cared for by lovely aunties.

A few years later, Maggie gets a new mom and goes to live with her. Her new mom may not have much money to buy all the candies from the store, but they are happy making their own bread and enjoying homemade jam, which is much better than the store-bought kind anyway. Maggie grows bigger and soon it’s her first day of school. She is very excited about the big day, but something unexpected happens…

This book has many lessons for small readers. Through Maggie’s story, readers learn about different family structures beyond the traditional family concepts, about inclusivity, and beyond all, that all children are loved and cared for. The ending of the book leaves some things between the lines and gives a great opportunity for parents to discuss the ending with younger readers.