Tough Like Mum - by Lana Button Hardcover

About the Book

"A moving picture book about a girl from a single-parent household that sometimes struggles to have ends meet, but--even as her mother grapples with depression--their love for one another redefines what it means to be tough"--

Book Synopsis

What does it mean to be tough? Kim finds out in this moving mother-daughter story about family hardship, vulnerability and love, perfect for fans of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.

Kim's mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers.

Kim is tough, too. She doesn't need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove.

Kim and her mum are tough.

But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn't look like what you'd expect.

In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough -- and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.

Review Quotes

One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021
A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of the Year (2021)

"Powerful in its vulnerability." --Kirkus Reviews

"Mok offers simple, carefully shaded gouache and colored-pencil art, underlining this sensitive portrayal of the bond between one mother and child navigating difficult circumstances and whether to welcome help." --Publishers Weekly

"Powerful stuff." --Wall Street Journal

"This tender tale imparts that asking for help shows toughness, too." --New York Times

"Lana Button gently explores the pressures that kids feel when they have to take on the roles that the adults in their lives can't." --Globe and Mail

"Readers should come away from the story realizing that staying 'tough' is not the only answer." --Horn Book

About the Author

LANA BUTTON was born in the tiny town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She trained in theater, performing on TV, film and stage, and now works in early childhood education. Lana is the author of numerous books for children including Willow's Whispers and What if Bunny's NOT a Bully? Lana and her husband live in Burlington, Ontario, with their dog and their cat, and they have three amazing daughters who are all grown up, but will thankfully still listen to picture books.

CARMEN MOK is an award-winning illustrator with prior experience in product design, hand-lettering and graphic design. After studying studio art at University of Waterloo and design at Sheridan College, she decided to dedicate herself to children's illustration. She is the illustrator of Grandmother's Visit, written by Betty Quan, and Waiting for Sophie, written by Sarah Ellis. Grandmother's Visit was selected as the picture book honor title of the 2018-2019 Asian/Pacific American Award, and made the 2019 short list for the IODE Ontario Jean Throop Book Award. Carmen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario.