The month of May is for celebrating mothers…mamas, grandmothers, abuelas, mamis, mamitas! Whatever words you use for that special woman who takes care of you and loves you unconditionally, we celebrate them on Mother’s Day!
As a mom myself, I have loved the sweet handwritten cards, notes, and hand-picked flowers that grace my nightstand each year. The day can be a day of reflection on your blessings and on those mothers who have passed. Being a mother is a huge gift and one not to be taken for granted. We do have the hardest job.
This Mother’s Day, take some time for yourself, celebrate yourself, and reflect. Enjoy your family, send love to your own mother, and count your blessings. I also invite you to explore some of my favorite picture books that celebrate mothers.
I’ve selected a diverse collection from the library where I work, in the hopes that many families can see themselves within the pages. Here are some of the best-loved picture books to celebrate Mother’s Day this May.
Eloise’s Mother’s Day Surprise By Lisa McLatchy
It is Mother’s Day, and Eloise, with the help of Nanny and her dog Weenie, is searching for the perfect gift. Only the best will do for Eloise’s mom. The finest chocolates, the prettiest flowers, the fanciest hat, and even the most sparkly jewelry. Back to the penthouse to unpack her shopping bags. But wait! Eloise’s shopping isn’t complete until she picks out something for her wonderful Nanny too!
Why We Love ‘Eloise’s Mother’s Day Surprise’: Eloise is a classic storybook character from Kay Thompson. Her stories have been adored for generations. This title, Eloise’s Mother’s Day Surprise’, is a ‘Ready to Read’ picture book designed to introduce new readers to key words and simple phrases. The story of Eloise and her nanny reminds children that all those who care for us deserve love, appreciation, and kindness every day, especially on Mother’s Day.
Recommended Ages: 4-6 years
Mama Car By Lucy Catchpole
Mama uses a wheelchair. Her wheelchair gives the most awesome family adventures. In the kitchen, on walks, even on road trips, mama and her wee son find connection within the restrictions of her wheelchair. The wheelchair gives rides, lifts us higher, has wheels to decorate, and can be squeezed into a small space to fit in the car. But the best thing about the wheelchair is that it is where Mama is. Mama’s lap provides safety and comfort.
Why We Love ‘Mama Car’: A beautiful story by author and disabled parent Lucy Catchpole. ‘Mama Car’ is about regular family life despite the addition of a wheelchair. It is about finding joy in simple things. This picture book about a mama and her young son is a beautiful tribute to mothers with disabilities. This picture book for Mother’s Day is a gentle read to share in quiet moments.
Age recommendation: 3-7 years
Mother’s Day Blessings By Mike Berenstain
How can you not mention a Berenstain book in a favorite book list! These classic children’s books certainly capture all the special moments of childhood (and motherhood!), and a Mother’s Day celebration is no exception. When the month of May arrives, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear are very excited to plan a special day for Mama Bear. The cubs go to Papa Bear for help, and together they plan a surprise brunch for Mother’s Day. As the family drives to church that Sunday, they are reminded how many bears in the community are mothers. The traffic cop, the doctor, the farmer, and the preacher’s wife are not only important people in Beartown, but they are also mothers.
Why We Love ‘Mother’s Day Blessings’: I haven’t met a child or parent who doesn’t enjoy a Berenstain Bears story. I read them when I was growing up, 40 years ago, I read them to my children when they were younger, and I still use them today at our library’s story time. Mother’s Day Blessings is jam-packed full of traditional Berenstain Bears’ family fun and community sentiment. This story has a lovely message of diversity and inclusion. It’s this message that once again lands the Berenstain Bears on my favorite book list, this time to celebrate Mother’s Day. Find other Berenstain Bear favorites in my favorite picture book lists for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Intergenerational Stories.
Age Recommendation: 4-7 years
Happy Mother’s Day From The Crayons By Drew Daywalt And Oliver Jeffers
From the creators of the number one best-selling children’s book, ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’, the crayons are back in ‘Happy Mother’s Day from the Crayons’. The Crayons love their moms so much that they decided to draw a book about it! Red Crayon loves his mom because she works extra hard, especially during the holidays. Yellow and Orange Crayons love their grandma, who has been like a mom to them. And White Crayon loves his mom so much, even if he can’t always see her! (HA!)
Why We Love ‘Happy Mother’s Day From The Crayons’: Daywalt and Jeffers ‘Crayon’ books always hit the mark for fun and engaging children’s picture books. They are funny, the illustrations are adorable, and they inspire kids to get creative with color. In this favorite picture book for Mother’s Day, The Crayons come together for an inclusive celebration of all kinds of families. The Crayons show just how much they love celebrating their moms (and other family members) on Mother’s Day. You can also check out my review of ‘Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons’.
Age Recommendations: 4-8 years
Benjamin Grows A Garden By Melanie Florence
Benjamin loves spending time with his mom. Spring has arrived, and for Benjamin and his mom, that means planting the family garden. Benjamin and his mother take great care in preparing their traditional Indigenous garden with rows of corn, beans, and squash. They delight in visiting the garden each day to care for it and spot signs of their vegetables growing. For this mother and son, Spring is a time for connection and honoring tradition.
Why We Love ‘Benjamin Grows A Garden’: I love this book for introducing children to traditional Indigenous gardening techniques. Through their story, Benjamin and his mother teach readers about the ‘three sisters’… corn, beans, and squash. Kids will learn how these three staple foods grow together and how each plays a special role in the garden. The story is a lovely ode to the connection between mother and child created through tradition. With beautiful illustrations by Indigenous Canadian Hawlii Pichette, this picture book for Mother’s Day is one of my favorites.
Age Recommendation: 6-9 years
Grandmother’s Purse By Vanessa Brantley-Newton
A charming book about a grandmother’s visit and the magic they find in her purse. Grandma Mimi is coming for a visit, and the granddaughter can’t wait. Grandma always brings special treats, but it’s the treasures in her purse that make Grandma Mimi awesome! Coins, perfume, hair clips, a mirror….what will they find in the purse this visit?
Why We Love ‘Grandmother’s Purse’: Don’t we remember going through our mother’s jewelry box, our father’s top desk drawer, or our grandma’s purse as a child? There’s something pure about learning who your family is by what they hold next to them. This book shares a simple yet magical bonding experience between a grandmother and granddaughter. What will your child find in their grandparents’ purse? ‘Grandmother’s Purse’ is an adorable intergenerational story to share this Mother’s Day.
Age Recommendations: 5-8 years
Clifford’s Mother’s Day By Norman Bridwell
This picture book takes us back to when our favorite ‘Big Red Dog’ was just a pup with his mama. When Emily meets the litter of puppies, she falls in love with the red one. Shortly after Emily Elizabeth adopts Clifford, Mother’s Day arrives. The young girl sets out with her pup to gather some surprises for mom… candy, flowers, and a card she’ll make herself. But silly Clifford spills the chocolates, sneezes on the flowers, stomps across the card, and mother’s blue sweater with ink. Is Mother’s Day ruined? Never! In a delightful twist, Emily’s mother gifts Clifford’s mama the ruined sweater to sleep on.
Why We Love ‘Clifford’s Mother’s Day’: Another beloved storybook character is Clifford the Big Red Dog. We love him for the BIG hijinks he creates, and in this story, even a LITTLE Clifford can cause BIG trouble. ‘Clifford’s Mother’s Day’ is a sweet story about creating that perfect gift and how even if it doesn’t work out to be perfect, moms are going to appreciate the effort anyway. Readers will love how even Clifford’s mom receives a special gift in this favorite picture book for Mother’s Day.
Age Recommendation: 3-6 years
What Not To Give Your Mom On Mother’s Day By Martha Simpson
The little boy in this story may not know what to give your mom on Mother’s Day, but he sure knows what NOT to give her. Definitely not a bucket of worms, definitely not a rotting log, definitely not a mud puddle, he tells readers. The worms would be nice for a bird, the log for a beaver, the mud for a pig, but NOT for your mother. The boy continues to share more of his advice throughout this silly Mother’s Day picture book. Eventually, he does reveal what he knows that any mom would love… can you guess what it is?
Why We Love ‘What Not To Give Your Mom On Mother’s Day’: This story by Martha Simpson is fun, repetitive, and even educational. It’s got all the aspects that make a picture book engaging for young ones. Children and their moms will love going through all the funny things we should not give for Mother’s Day. Moreover, kids can learn which animal would appreciate these gifts. A salt block for a deer. A bucket of ants for an ardvaark. With cute illustrations by Jana Christy, this book hits all the marks for a sweet Mother’s Day storytime.
Age recommendations: 3-7 years
I Yoga You By Genevieve Santos
I Yoga You is a sweet story about all the ways children love the people in their lives, including their moms. Featuring diverse characters, both young and old, the illustrations cross cultures and generations. The story depicts different children experiencing a range of emotions and reminds them that their moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas love them unconditionally. Each page also sneaks in yoga poses that kids will learn to recognize.
Why We Love ‘I Yoga You’: As a children’s yoga instructor, I love the combination of a storybook that plants yoga poses throughout the illustrations. This is not an instructional yoga book. It is simply a telling of kids’ relationships with their parents and grandparents, and their emotions, illustrated through yoga. I chose this book as one of my favorite picture books for Mother’s Day because I thought it would make for a sweet interactive story time. I would suggest moms roll out their mats and read this story while doing the stretches alongside their toddler. I use it in my mom-and-tot classes and with preschoolers; it creates a lovely combination of literacy and movement. If you, too, are interested in children’s yoga, check out my other favorite resources here.
Age Recommendation: 2-5 years
A Card For My Mom By Bashabi Fraser
A young girl of Indian descent takes a trip to the vibrant shopping district to purchase a gift for Mother’s Day. She sees many beautiful gifts, but only has enough money to buy a card. The girl sees many, many cards with many images of moms, but sadly, none of the mothers look like her mother. Where is her mother with her gold jewelry, her long brown hair and brown eyes, her silk kameez? Where is her mom with her brown smiling face that cooks curry and shops for papaya at the market? When the young girl is dissatisfied with the Mother’s Day cards, she decides her only option is to make her own card.
Why We Love ‘A Card For My Mom’: What an important message this book delivers about diversity and cultural representation in the mainstream. I always appreciate and want to share picture books that can teach our children these fundamental lessons. Even Mother’s Day presents an opportunity to open up the conversation about inclusiveness and acceptance. This story will tug at the heartstrings.
Age Recommendations: 5-10 years
I hope all moms out there, of every culture, color, generation, and class, have a peaceful Mother’s Day full of love and light. From this mom of four, I know the ups and downs of motherhood can be wonderful and wild, hard, and then so soft. Be kind to yourselves, be gentle with yourselves; YOU ARE doing a great job. I hope you find time to snuggle with your family, maybe read one of these favorite picture books for Mother’s Day, or find one of your own favorites. Happy Mother’s Day!
