Mommy Doesn't Love Me?

"No buying more toys.""No staying up late.""No biting. No fighting."To a young child, the word no can sometimes feel like a wall between them and the love they crave. Does Mommy really love me?Mommy Doesn't Love Me? was inspired by a question the author heard from her own young child-the exact words he would ask when she set a boundary, corrected a behavior, or said "no" to keep him safe and healthy: "Mommy doesn't love me?"That heartfelt question became the inspiration for this warm, beautifully illustrated picture book about one of childhood's most important lessons: sometimes love sounds like "no."Through relatable everyday experiences-from bedtime routines and wanting more toys to learning responsibilities and safe behavior-children discover that boundaries are not barriers to love. They are often expressions of care, protection, patience, and guidance.Key Features for Parents, Libraries, and Educators:Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Helps children ages 3-8 navigate frustration, understand boundaries, recognize loving guidance, and build emotional resilience.A Story Inspired by Real Parenting: Rooted in an authentic question asked by the author's own child, making the emotions familiar to both children and caregivers.Diverse Representation: Warm, vibrant illustrations feature children and families from varied backgrounds, reflecting the universal nature of childhood emotions.Classroom and Library Use: A natural conversation starter for discussions about feelings, responsibility, empathy, safety, family relationships, and why caring adults sometimes have to say "no."Parent-Child Connection: Gives families gentle language for reassuring children that rules and boundaries do not mean love has disappeared.With gentle storytelling and expressive illustrations, Mommy Doesn't Love Me? reassures young readers that a parent's love isn't found only in the yeses. Sometimes, the deepest kind of love is quietly held within the "no."