Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?: Words of Wisdom, Wit, and Love

by Barbara ("Babs") Costello

From New York Times bestselling author Babs Costello, the internet’s favorite grandma, comes a picture book filled with the motherly wisdom we all need! Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? offers listeners new insights on familiar phrases, with emotional support, encouragement, and unconditional love.

We’ve all heard old sayings like “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” and “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” But did your mother ever tell you that it’s okay to cry over little things? And who wants to catch flies anyway?

In her first-ever picture book, Barbara Costello—also known as Brunch with Babs—brings a fresh perspective to these tired clichés, giving adults and kids alike some shared laughter and modern wisdom. With twinkling warmth and her signature question, Babs reminds listeners what is truly a mother’s love for her child.

Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?

features familiar phrases and fun rhyming verse for an engaging read-aloud is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or anytime comes from New York Times bestselling author and internet sensation Babs Costello, aka @BrunchwithBabs

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Nursebookie]

If you love sweet read-alouds that bring warmth and laughter to story time, you’ll want to check out Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? by Barbara Costello.

Known online as the beloved “internet’s favorite grandma” through her popular account Brunch with Babs, Costello brings the same comforting voice and motherly wisdom to her very first picture book.

This charming story takes familiar sayings many of us grew up hearing and turns them on their head in the most delightful way. Lines like “Don’t cry over spilled milk” get a fresh, compassionate twist that reminds kids it’s actually okay to feel big emotions. The rhyming text makes it a fun and engaging read-aloud, perfect for preschool and early elementary readers.

What makes this book special is the warmth behind every page. It feels like sitting with a loving grandma who shares little life lessons with humor, kindness, and reassurance. Kids will enjoy the playful language, while adults may find themselves smiling at the gentle reminders about patience, love, and growing up.

It’s a cozy pick for bedtime, classroom story time, or a thoughtful gift for Mother's Day.

[RollTide.Reads]

Thank you to the publisher for a beautiful copy of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.

I loved the messages that were so loving and wholesome from this book.

The author did a masterful job of writing a comprehensive look at lessons for anyone to know.

[Om Sen]

I recently read Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?: Words of Wisdom, Wit, and Love by Barbara Costello*, and it felt like a warm hug in book form. From the very first page, I could sense the love, comfort, and gentle humor that runs throughout the book.

What I enjoyed most was how the author takes familiar sayings we’ve all heard growing up and gives them a fresh and more understanding twist. Instead of just repeating old advice, she adds kindness and emotional honesty to it. Lines like it being okay to feel small things deeply really stayed with me. It made the book feel modern, relatable, and very human.

The tone is simple, light, and comforting, which makes it easy to read for both adults and younger readers. I could imagine this being read aloud, and it would still feel meaningful. The rhyming style adds a playful touch, while the deeper messages quietly stay in your heart.

What stood out to me the most was the feeling of unconditional love. It reminded me of the kind of advice that doesn’t judge you but simply wants you to feel okay. That emotional warmth is what makes this book special.

Even though it is a short picture book, it carries a strong message about kindness, self-acceptance, and emotional support. It doesn’t try to teach in a strict way but instead gently guides you.

Overall, I think this book is perfect as a thoughtful gift or even as a personal read when you need comfort. It made me smile, reflect, and feel understood. It’s a simple yet meaningful reminder of how powerful kind words can be.

[Heather McC]

Phrases used here include:

1)Hold Your Horses
2)Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk - big one for me
3) You Catch More Flies with Honey
4)Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - big one for me
5) Birds of a feather flock together
6) Get your head out of the clouds - not used a whole lot
7) When it rains, it pours - big one for me

Others that didn't make the cut
1) Don't be a bull in a china shop
2) Haste makes waste
3) Reap what you sow - very layered

A gentle, humorous read that may make a reader long for simpler days, when a quick phrase packed a big lesson, and comfort was there for you.

[Kelly Boggs]

The author of this book is a superstar on social media for her “Did your mother ever tell you?” clips.

This book takes common idioms and turns them on their head. For example, hold your horses. Did your mother ever tell you; you don’t have to hold your horses all the time that it’s OK to be excited about things.

It’s a very cute book and gives permission for lots of feelings and ways to cope.

[Sarah]

This is a delightful book by Brunch with Babs, who I love following on Instagram. She expands on common wise sayings and gives good applications for them. The illustrations are fun and engaging. Babs even makes a surprise appearance in the book! It would make a great gift for a child ages 4-8 in your life.

[JessQueen]

Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? By Babs Costello

Oh such a wonderful book! I loved listening to Babs Costello’s words of wisdom!

I’m truly grateful to @librofm for this ALC as I’ve deeply enjoyed it!

It’s a books every child, parent and educator should read and listen to!

[Diana]

A book about wisdom for kids using common phrases.
We didn’t know what some of the phrases mean (english is my second language), so it was a little hard to understand the phrase, but the wisdom afterwards did help.

[Jennifer Bollnow]

This is a cute story that passes along wisdom to a younger generation. It has advice about patience, overcoming problems, kindness, standing up for yourself, worries, embracing differences, dreams, and handling bad days.

[Kayla Plutzer]

This is perfect for a social emotional learning lesson!

[Kate Eschbach]

Absolutely precious! My elementary age kiddos really loved the rhyming and familiar phrases with a twist! The illustrations are adorable.

[Carolyn]

Very good book that gently allows for a more nuanced approach to those idioms that everyone says, but is easier said than done. Ages 4 - 8

[Angela]

for my granddaughter

[Jordan Hobbs]

Very sweet

[Miss Sarah]

A Wonderfuly simple and positive book explaing sayings grown ups say to kids and explaining it on their level. elemntary and up

[JB]

Won this book through Goodreads giveaway, loved it and even more sharing it with the grandbaby.

[Kristen]

This is a darling book about being the best you you can be! The illustrations are adorable as well!

[Alice]

3 stars
Motherly advice taken from platitude but with permission. Just meh

[The Curious Reader]

Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? is filled with the kind of wisdom that feels both timeless and comforting.

Barbara Costello, better known to many as the internet’s favorite grandma through Brunch with Babs, brings her signature warmth, kindness, and gentle humor to her first children’s book. I received an ALC from LibroFm and it was like listening to advice from someone who genuinely wants the best for you, wrapped up in a hug and a freshly baked cookie.

Since this is originally meant to be a picture book, after listening to the audiobook I can confidently say that the picture book would make an excellent read-aloud for younger children while still offering plenty for adults to appreciate. 


Built around familiar sayings and words of wisdom that many of us heard growing up, the book introduces these life lessons in a way that feels natural rather than preachy. It’s sweet, uplifting, and full of heart.

A lovely choice for story time, family reading, or anyone looking for a gentle reminder that some of life’s best lessons are often hidden inside the simplest phrases.