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Cover of Mother Knows Best

Mother Knows Best

Serena Valentino

Ages 10–15

Readers rate it 3.9 (24 on Hardcover)

304 pages · Released 2018

Content report card

What's inside

Medium confidence

Language

Sexual content

LGBTQ+ themes

Substance use

What it offers

A note for parents

This is a dark Disney villain origin story that reimagines Mother Gothel from Tangled with moral complexity rather than clear good versus evil. The book contains some violence and darker themes as it explores how the antagonist became who she is, but it's framed as a fantasy tale rather than graphic horror. It may appeal to older middle-grade readers comfortable with morally grey characters and some intensity, though younger children expecting a typical Disney story may find it unsettling.

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From the publisher

The tale of the legendary golden flower is widely known. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the flower is coveted by an old witch to keep herself young and beautiful. And always the flower is used to save a dying queen, who then gives birth to a princess with magical hair. Not willing to lo... The tale of the legendary golden flower is widely known. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the flower is coveted by an old witch to keep herself young and beautiful. And always the flower is used to save a dying queen, who then gives birth to a princess with magical hair. Not willing to lose the flower, the old witch steals the princess and locks her away in a high tower, raising her as her own. But the princess always finds out who she truly is and manages to defeat the old witch. And yet this is only half the story. So what of the old witch, Mother Gothel? Where does she come from? And how does she come across the magical golden flower? Here is one account that recounts a version of the story that has remained untold for centuries... until now. It is a tale of mothers and daughters, of youth and dark magic. It is a tale of the old witch.

Shelved under

  • Children's fiction
  • Witches, fiction
  • Mothers, fiction
  • Unloveable Characters
  • A mix driven
  • Weak Character Development
  • Loveable Characters
  • Diverse Characters
  • Adventurous
  • challenging
  • reflective
  • Fantasy

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ISBN 9781368009027 · Disney Press