- Momma Beaumont from 'Savvy', by Ingrid Law...it brought me to tears with how sweet and caring the mother (and indeed whole family!) was.
- Mamsie in 'Five Little Peppers and How They Grew' by Margaret Sidney
- Homily Clock in 'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton...similar category to Mrs Bennet, not everyone would want Homily as their mom on account of her worrying and fretting over the littlest thing, but imo that's why she's relatable and realistic, and she absolutely cares about her daughter and does her best to make her happy.
- Mother in 'The Railway Children' by Edith Nesbit
It's funny you should mention The Simpsons because some friends of mine made a list of fictional moms and of the ones from the last twenty years, all but one was from a cartoon. The others were from a bygone era. And only one was from a book, which kinda proves my point that good book moms are a little thin on the ground.
I think there are lots once you start looking! Two I'll add are Catherine Morland's mom from Northanger Abbey, and Francie Nolan's mom in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
I thought about Catherine’s mom, but she barely plays a role in the story. I’m looking for good moms whose absence would completely derail the plot, and not because they die.
But I’ll check out A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; I saw the movie ages ago but I don’t remember much.
That's fair! I love the portrayal of motherhood in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because it's complicated and you can see that she's a real person struggling to do good by her children
Well, I’ve been binging an historical (regency), urban fantasy mystery series in the last few days. The main female lead’s parents are both present caring and competent, (her mother is suffering from being a zombie so I guess she is not technically alive? But she seems like a pretty good mom, especially for fiction.)
So would I! Love to see your list. I'm thinking it's curious/freaky/unsettling that moms are so commonly absent. From Nancy Drew to Scout Finch to Frasier Crane to Hawkeye Pierce to Mowgli to Sleeping Beauty to the Bonanza boys. Where's Mom?
They are a rare breed! I can add to this list:
- Momma Beaumont from 'Savvy', by Ingrid Law...it brought me to tears with how sweet and caring the mother (and indeed whole family!) was.
- Mamsie in 'Five Little Peppers and How They Grew' by Margaret Sidney
- Homily Clock in 'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton...similar category to Mrs Bennet, not everyone would want Homily as their mom on account of her worrying and fretting over the littlest thing, but imo that's why she's relatable and realistic, and she absolutely cares about her daughter and does her best to make her happy.
- Mother in 'The Railway Children' by Edith Nesbit
- Marmee from 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott
Thanks for the list! I recently saw The Secret Life of Arrietty, a movie based on The Borrowers, and the mom does remind me of Mrs. Bennet.
She is there for some of them. Marge Simpson doesn't get enough credit sometimes...
It's funny you should mention The Simpsons because some friends of mine made a list of fictional moms and of the ones from the last twenty years, all but one was from a cartoon. The others were from a bygone era. And only one was from a book, which kinda proves my point that good book moms are a little thin on the ground.
I'd add:
- the titular character in 'Mama's Bank Account' by Kathryn Forbes
- several of Carol Ryrie Brink's books have good mothers, e.g. 'Caddie Woodlawn' and 'Family Grandstand'
- Lady Frances Parry in the Merriweather Chronicles by Meredith Allady
- Mrs. Brown in 'National Velvet' by Enid Bagnold
- Nell McLaughlin in 'My Friend Flicka' by Mary O'Hara
I know I'm forgetting a few, but those are the first to pop into mind!
I’ve only heard of the last two books, so thanks for sharing!
I think there are lots once you start looking! Two I'll add are Catherine Morland's mom from Northanger Abbey, and Francie Nolan's mom in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- Shruti
I thought about Catherine’s mom, but she barely plays a role in the story. I’m looking for good moms whose absence would completely derail the plot, and not because they die.
But I’ll check out A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; I saw the movie ages ago but I don’t remember much.
That's fair! I love the portrayal of motherhood in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because it's complicated and you can see that she's a real person struggling to do good by her children
Well, I’ve been binging an historical (regency), urban fantasy mystery series in the last few days. The main female lead’s parents are both present caring and competent, (her mother is suffering from being a zombie so I guess she is not technically alive? But she seems like a pretty good mom, especially for fiction.)
Monsters & Manners by Tilly Wallace
Zombie moms count :) It sounds like a fun book; I’m adding it to my list.
They’re just popcorn books but I’m enjoying them so far, and my library m’s hoopla account has them. 🍿
There are quite a few fictional moms who fit that criteria- and not just in books.
So would I! Love to see your list. I'm thinking it's curious/freaky/unsettling that moms are so commonly absent. From Nancy Drew to Scout Finch to Frasier Crane to Hawkeye Pierce to Mowgli to Sleeping Beauty to the Bonanza boys. Where's Mom?
I think showing mom in a healthy, loving light is too much trouble for most writers. There either has to be drama or trauma.
Great! I'd love to see your list!