The unbreakable bond between a parent or caregiver and child is one of the strongest forces in nature. This Mother’s Day, we are celebrating that powerful love with a group of books that showcase the extraordinary relationship between a mother or caregiver and child.
Whether delighting in quiet moments at home, exploring the outdoors, or engaging in imaginative play, the books listed below skillfully capture special moments. These ideal gifts for Mother’s Day are not only lovely keepsakes, but charming stories that can be shared all year long.
no no 9780593616420 Mamá’s Panza by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Iliana Galvez
As every mother knows, having a baby changes your body. This sweet picture book celebrates bodies of every shape — particularly bellies. A young boy loves his mamá’s panza because it is soft and warm — the perfect spot to snuggle and find comfort.
9781368083676 For You, I Will by Elle Duncan, illustrated by Laura Freeman
This gorgeous and heartfelt picture book is a love letter from a mother to her daughter. The mother promises to cheer for her daughter at every stage while preparing her to dream big, be confident, and love herself.
9780593698204 Mama in the Moon by Doreen Cronan, illustrated by Brian Cronin
When a baby sloth tumbles out of its tree, his mother teaches him how to self-soothe while he waits (and waits and waits) for her to reach him. This sweet story is an excellent bedtime read for children who need help calming their anxieties. Kids will love the happy ending and the unique distractions the baby sloth’s mother invents.
9780399167423 Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr, illustrated by Teagan White
This eloquent love letter to a child brilliantly captures the wonder of parenthood. Exquisite illustrations playfully feature a group of animals lovingly caring for their little ones. With its vintage feel and timeless message of a mother’s love and connection to her baby, this story is destined to become a classic.
9780593173886 To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant, illustrated by EG Keller
For anyone who has struggled with infertility on the road to motherhood, this book is a must-have. It’s a heartfelt and hope-filled love letter from a mother to her child. She describes the storms she weathered and the mountains she climbed along the path to her miracle baby.
9781536211511 Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
This adorable story illustrates how children miss their family members when they’re apart. A little girl’s Mommy goes on a work trip, leaving her home with Mama. They find activities to fill the time, but nothing soothes the emptiness better than Mommy returning home.
9781536212266 Mommy Time by Monique James-Duncan, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Beautiful illustrations and bouncy, rhyming text celebrate stay-at-home mothers everywhere. The story follows a mother and her two young children throughout the day as they prepare for school, attend storytime, and clean the house before bed. It shines a much-needed spotlight on the hard work stay-at-home parents do every day.
9780593519660 My Mum Is the Best by Bluey and Bingo by Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Bluey and Bingo celebrate their mum in this adorable book based on the popular animated television show on Disney+. With patience and love, Bluey and Bingo’s mum cares for them and keeps them safe and happy. And sometimes, she needs a little time to herself.
9781680104929 Mommies Make Rainbows by Becky Davies, illustrated by Dan Taylor
Moms do everything from fixing broken toys to baking treats. This sweet book celebrates all the wonderful things moms do for their families every day. Whether it’s splashing in puddles or putting a bandage on a scrape, moms do it all.
9781536205671 My Superhero Mom by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Joe Berger
With her mother’s knack for appearing whenever there is trouble, herculean strength when carrying an exceptional number of items, and extraordinary ability to locate lost toys, a little girl thinks of her mother as a true superhero. The action-packed illustrations add to the fun of this entertaining read aloud celebrating the incredible abilities of mothers.
9780525554226 Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Love comes in many forms. It can be shown by lending a helping hand, baking a cake, or reading a book together. No matter what your family looks like, the one thing we all have in common is the love we have for each other. This vibrant and inclusive book is a great gift for those you love most.
9780593094181 Llama Llama Mother’s Day Present by Anna Dewdney
Anna Dewdney’s bestselling Llama Llama series is now a television show on Netflix, and Little Llama’s latest adventures are captured in a brand-new book series. With Mother’s Day around the corner, Little Llama is busy planning a special celebration. This amusing tale follows Llama as he goes undercover to discover his mother’s interests and creates the perfect way to honor his mama.
9780525472476 I Love My Mommy Because… by Laurel Porter Gaylord, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Starting with the love between a human parent and child, this book soon moves on to feature loving animal families. The story will encourage kids to list off the many reasons why they love their mommies!
9780525554011 Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kate Alizadeh
This delightful book follows two mommies on an adventure-filled day with their toddler. Flowing rhymes and cheery illustrations share the tender moments they spend on a family bike ride, visiting a farm, and relishing in a quiet evening at home. The upbeat text makes this a fun story to read aloud and the inviting feel of the book is sure to result in plenty of hugs for the reader!
9781984852571 I Love You, Mommy by Edie Evans, illustrated by Melanie Demmer
Loving rhymes share the many reasons children like spending time with their mighty moms. Whether it is enjoying quality time indoors or having outdoor excursions, this Little Golden Book reminds readers that time spent with mom is always meaningful.
9780451533463 I Love Mom With the Very Hungry Caterpillar illustrated by Eric Carle
Eric Carle’s signature collage-style artwork shines in this eye-catching tribute to mothers. Colorful illustrations of animals with their young ones, combined with simple text that sweetly describes the many notable attributes of mothers, makes this a special keepsake for families.
9780448452135 The Night Before Mother’s Day by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer
Natasha Wing’s popular The Night Before series is always a great choice for celebrating special events. In this installment, two children team up with their dad to plan a day filled with surprises for their mom. From a homemade cake to a day at the spa in their kitchen, this creative family knows how to make a mom feel important!
9780241355060 I Love You, Mommy by Beatrix Potter
Peter Rabbit, one of the most cherished characters in children’s literature, is back in an enchanting Mother’s Day book. Gentle pastel hues paired with rhyming text transport readers to the quaint world of Beatrix Potter where they follow Peter as he sweetly pronounces his love for his mother.
9780679890478 Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
This classic story about a baby bird in search of his mother is sure to delight little readers and makes a perfect gift for moms. A lovely celebration of the special bond between a mother and child.
9781589255753 Me and My Mom! by Alison Ritchie, illustrated by Alison Edgson
Little Bear’s mom has many talents, but she particularly excels in making her little cub feel loved and comforted. The soft illustrations and soothing rhymes add to the cozy tone of this endearing story.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2024.
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