My Mother Said

My Mother Said: Mi Madre Dijo is a heartfelt tribute to all mothers. Through warm, expressive illustrations and tender bilingual text, this book honors the endless love, strength, and creativity mothers pour into their families every day, especially demonstrated from the lens of Latina moms. Written by Simon Silva and illustrated by his son Emilio Silva, each page is a reminder of the countless sacrifices, the courage in daily challenges, and the unwavering commitment that define motherhood. A celebration that goes far beyond one holiday, this book is a love letter to every mom who gives her all—deserving recognition not just once a year, but every day.

Simón Silva was born in Mexicali, Mexico. He is the seventh of eleven children and grew up in the Imperial Valley near the Frontera. He describes his family as not having extra money for entertainment, which led him to begin drawing. Wanting a better life for himself away from the harsh conditions of working in the fields, he decided to go to college and got his Associate Arts degree from Imperial Valley College. He then followed that with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Since then, Silva has made a career out of painting, public speaking, and writing.

Emilio Silva is an illustrator from California.