Dear Minnie: Conversations with Remarkable Mothers from the Sunday Times Bestselling Author

by Stacey Dooley

From the acclaimed filmmaker and Sunday Times bestselling author comes a frank, insightful and heartwarming exploration of the myriad issues surrounding contemporary motherhood.


"It was the first time I’d ever signed ‘Mummy’, and it was a goodbye letter."
"I feel so honoured to have carried you both for nine months and delivered you safely into the arms of your parents."
"I knew I had to be in that little girl's life. The next time I got out, I never used drugs again."
"As a refugee, I say to my daughter, 'You have been born in a safe place. Never take that for granted.'”


After having her first child, Stacey Dooley had a new understanding of what family means – but not everyone’s experience of motherhood is the same. In Dear Minnie, Stacey brings her trademark empathy and investigative skill to an entirely new ‘frontline’, exploring the varied perspectives of mothers of all experiences. Using letters that each mother has written to their child as her starting point, Stacey’s frank, honest, and moving inquiry takes in experiences from pregnancy to birth and beyond, uncovering the messy truths and different emotional journeys women take, as well as the common bonds they all share.

Dear Minnie shines a light on the quiet selflessness, resilience, pain, trauma, grief, and joy of every kind of mother, to tell a story that transcends culture and geography, and speaks to us all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2025

Reviews

[Cerys Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I a mum? No! Do I want kids in the near future? Still no! But did I enjoy listening to this on my way to work and did it reinforce my respect for mothers? Yeah baby! (Mums are such super-humans idk how they do it)

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming collection about all different types of motherhood. Knocked off a star because the narrator often ended a sentence sounding like a question and it was annoying.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected and very lovely gift, arriving in the post just two days before Mothering Sunday - immaculate timing.

We were so lucky, I never had any problems getting pregnant, morning sickness was long and gruelling but otherwise my pregnancies were great, labours bearable and, apart from one retained placenta, births normal. Four healthy babies who are now grown into four amazing adults.

But I never cease to be thankful for the journey we have experienced and, whilst I will never be able to truly empathise with those who had to take different routes, or got lost along the way or didn't arrive at the destination they imagined, I can marvel at their resilience and the overwhelming power of love in seeing them through.

Stacey Dooley writes sensitively, eloquently and in a very down-to-earth manner, clearly characteristics which encouraged the contributors to open their stories and their hearts to her.

I demolished this book in a mere twenty four hours with a box of tissues by my side and my other half suggesting I might need to put it down for a while!

[Amy Shergold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I worship the ground that Stacey Dooley walks on so it was very hard to give this book anything less than 5 stars.

I really loved the technique of learning about motherhood through the perspectives of individual women’s letters to their children. It gives you a glimpse at the many different experiences and challenges that mothers go through.

However I think it missed some key experiences and I knocked off some stars for that.

A perspective from the many women in the UK living in poverty and struggling to provide for their children would’ve made the book more representative of UK mothers. Although there were some alternative stories, I think that most came from women who had the privilege of affording to have a baby (by falling pregnant or via IVF) and then to afford to raise the kids. I mean how many kids in the UK are raised my mothers relying on benefits?

It was mostly perspective’s from women who had wanted kids and I really wanted to hear from those who originally didn’t then changed their mind. I also wanted to hear from women who had experiences of postpartum depression. There were many stories of mothers not enjoying aspects but not an account of depression.

So while it was a lovely way to glimpse at motherhood, it wasn’t representative enough for me about about many mothers in the UK.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always been a massive fan of Stacey Dooley, and this is no exception. Stacey opens this book with a heartfelt reflection on her first year of motherhood, the high and the lows - she then goes on to acknowledge that motherhood looks just so incredibly different for everyone. With this book, she spoke to many different mothers to understand their experiences: blind mothers, mothers escaping totalitarian states, adoptive mothers, young mothers, mothers via artificial insemination and many more. With this, she has managed to capture the holistic beauty of motherhood in all its many forms, whilst identifying that no two experiences are the same. I would highly recommend this book to all.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to it on Audible - I teared up at every letter read by the mothers - so be careful if you are listening to it while driving like I did. This book is a true celebration of the wide spectrum of motherhood and experiences mothers can face. It also gives you so much awe for the mothers sharing their stories.
I really like the idea to take time to write a letter to my babies - it’s a wonderful way to reflect on our own journey.
Thank you Stacey your documentaries are my favorites and you hit a home run with this book.

[Amy Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful account of the real motherhood experience.
I found it healing, raw and enlightening. Hearing the accounts of mothers who may have had similar experiences to me made me feel seen in a way I have not before.
This book is beautifully written and Staceys letter to her own daughter had me in tears.
I would recommend to any parent or those on that journey.

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it - it was probably a little nicer to listen to than to read, as some of the letters were read aloud by the mothers themselves. As expected, it was very emotive at times (I listened on my commute and had to rein in the tears!) Many chapters were relatable, others gave a unique and fascinating perspective of motherhood.

[Sue Goult · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing look at having babies from every angle

What a fair accompli of a book about every aspect of having children in reality. And the pitfalls and pleasures from a real prospective and from real people. Well done.

[Danielle Byatte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd Stacey Dooley book I've read this year (the first being on the UK's MH Crisis), and this is just as great.
Insightful, whilst also being respectful to both the topic and the participants, this book was methodical and heartwarming in its approach and purpose.

[Courtney-Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨ This book showcases motherhood in all its messy, chaotic, beautiful, tearful and extraordinary ways. I loved reading stories from so many different perspectives. It made me appreciate certain areas I take for granted while feeling less alone in the ones I could relate to.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as a gift for my first mother's day. A totally unexpected read. Extremely emotional but lovely.

[Sarah Munroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Massive fan but another brilliantly written and succinct account. The blind mother barrister was awe inspiring and truly made me think.. well about everything! Inspiring!

[Emma Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Cried and laughed with each story - some very relatable others just really insightful. Love love loved it!

[Amber Lovick · Rating 4 out of 5]

***audiobook***

[Angie Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight to motherhood from real women. No subject off limits and the rose tinted glasses are off!

[Molly Pheasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers so many different perspectives on pregnancy, a very interesting read. Also written by my idol herself (so it was getting 5 stars regardless).

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional reminder of the huge variety of experiences of motherhood. Brought me tears multiple times. Well worth a read if you’re a mum!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well put together book featuring stories from different Mum's and their experiences of motherhood, and birth and loss.

I love Stacey Dooley in anything she does and this book was a lovely keepsake for her daughter Minnie. I found it really lovely featuring different stories from different women. Really good read.