The CEOs behind Sesame Street bring you the inspirational and life-changing lessons and parenting insights that successful people learned from their moms.

The first and most important teacher in life is mom. Her lessons start in early childhood and last a lifetime. Behind every successful person is a mother who gave her child the example, the insights, and the drive that helped them live their extraordinary life and become a better parent themselves.

In this inspiring book, the past and present CEOs of Sesame Workshop, the producers of Sesame Street, capture the stories and love some successful people have for their own mother and how this shaped their lives. Learn how Tory Burch, Barbara Bush, Katie Couric, Hoda Kotb, Téa Leoni, Danny Meyer, Wes Moore, Darren Walker, and others found their lives shaped by the lessons they learned from their mom. This book is both a love letter of thanks to mothers everywhere and a “how to” manual for how to help your child grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Jeffrey D. Dunn has spent most of his career leading kids educational and entertainment organizations. He began his career working with children as Chief Operating Officer of the Nickelodeon Networks group. He served as President & CEO of Sesame Workshop, the producers of the award-winning television show Sesame Street, from 2014 to 2021. He subsequently served as the first Executive in Residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Sherrie Westin is the current President & CEO of Sesame Workshop. She served as the Workshop’s President from 2021-2024. Previously, she served as Assistant to the President for Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs for President George H.W. Bush and held senior positions at the ABC Television Network and U.S. News & World Report. She has been named a “Leading Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy Magazine, one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” and to Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list.