The time is always right to read children’s books about moms, and we have the perfect list for you! Mothers should be celebrated all year long, and this awesome list of books and crafts will help you do just that!
Celebrate mothers with these children’s books about moms!
Moms.
We wipe tears, mend hearts, inspire uproarious laughter, and work hard to ensure our children’s days are perfect.
With each passing hour, we watch our sweet babies grow. We marvel at each tiny movement, each radiant smile, each joyful giggle and goofy wiggle.
Yet as children get older, motherhood is not all fun and games. Some days it feels like the whole world is conspiring against us. Our children turn into beasts before our eyes, and it feels like we’re navigating a treacherous journey with no roadmap.
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart.
Moms are constantly scurrying to adapt to new life stages, new experiences, and new emotions. With every smile comes tears and with every success a great obstacle.
There are growing pains, for sure, but there is also infinite joy as we watch our kids grow from infants to toddlers, then make the leap from kids to tweens to — gasp! — teens.
When we witness our children, no matter how old, act with compassion towards others, advocate for causes they’re passionate about, or ace tests for which they spent long hours studying, we forget about every challenge on our journey and beam with pride from the sidelines.
Mothers are real-life superheroes, the foundation and heart of the family unit.
Yet we never think we’re doing this mom thing correctly.
Here’s the thing. Those kids of yours? They think you’re awesome – like, shout it from the rooftops AWESOME. They love spending time with you, especially those tender, quiet moments where you connect, cuddle, and listen to each other’s words and hearts.
Reading children’s books about moms provides moments to connect
I have always loved sharing children’s books about moms with my boys because these stories help us connect.
These are the books that make us laugh because they are so authentically real. They highlight those moments — some exhilarating, some infuriating — that make us groan and giggle.
Children’s books about moms also remind us of the unique and incomparable bond between parent and child, the unconditional love a mother has for her child. Most importantly, they remind us that we’re doing a really good job at this parenting gig.
Being a mom is harder, more intimidating, and more strenuous than any 9-5 career you will ever have. But for all of its challenges, it is also one of life’s most rewarding and awe-inspiring experiences.
So don’t delay. Celebrate motherhood with these phenomenal children’s books about moms! These touching, funny, and heartwarming stories showcase the highs and lows of motherhood, the many ways that a mother’s gentle wisdom encourages her children to soar, and the unbreakable bonds between a mother and her baby. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
I will forever adore Me & Mama, by Cozbi Cabrera, and Saturday, by Oge Mora. Both of these books, featured below, share such authentic, tender moments between mother and child, and every time I read them, they make me swoon!
Absolutely! Check out these children’s books about dads to celebrate fathers all year round!
Absolutely! I love Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, by Nina LaCour and Kaylani Juanita. It is a beautiful story that normalizes same-sex parents, and it is a simple story of a girl who longs for one of her moms when she has to travel for a work trip! We have more children’s books about family diversity here!
We love these children’s books about moms!
I fell head over heels for this touching celebration of mothers and daughters! On a rainy day, one little girl wants to be right next to her mama. Her exuberance and love for her mother are palpable on every page. From brushing teeth to picking cups to walking in the rain, the child finds mom in every move she makes. The special bond between parent and child in this gorgeous children’s book about moms sings, and the illustrations, simply put, are exquisite. A tender stunner!
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With tenderness, humor, and gorgeous collaged artwork, this is the story of a mother and daughter who set out to spend a special day together. Of course, from the moment their day begins, nothing goes according to plan. When their new hairdos, storytime date, and afternoon picnic all get ruined, Mom is on the brink of despair. Leave it to the child, with warmth and a healthy dose of optimism, to remind Mom that being together is all that matters – their Saturday dates are always a gift even when they don’t go according to plan! Between the mother-daughter relationship, the child’s resilience, and the fabulous illustrations, this one is an absolute gem!
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What’s a little girl to do when Mommy leaves for a work trip and she’s home alone with Mama? After all, things feel so different when she can’t sit right between Mama and Mommy, and she misses Mommy as deep as the ocean. This book is perfect for any child who longs for a parent when they go out of town. We adore how this children’s book about moms depicts an inclusive family with same-sex parents that overflows with love!
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I have long adored Edwidge Danticat’s writing and was thrilled to see this beautiful story about the best antidote for any child’s illness! Mommy medicine cures all, from yummy cups of hot chocolate to warm bubble baths, to stories made up with love. This tender book celebrates mom’s uncanny ability to heal any sickness with love, tenderness, and an unlimited amount of snuggles.
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The illustrations in this whimsical book make me swoon. This is a poignant story highlighting those sweet, mundane moments that epitomize what it means to be a mom: fixing her child’s hair, sitting down for just one more tea party, and listening to shells together on the beach. It perfectly showcases that a mother’s love is unwavering. Whether it is a chaotic moment, a routine moment, or a moment of relaxation, a mother’s relationship with her child is supremely precious.
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This darling story showcases the best kind of mom! You know the ones – they let you have nachos for breakfast, allow you to wear shoes that don’t match, and always make sure your birthdays are mega awesome. Best of all, mom kisses away your owies and teaches you to wish on shooting stars. She does all these things for you because that’s what her mom did for her, too. Darling and fun, this ode to mom is adorable!
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This tender children’s book about moms did me in. So many of us dream of having babies when we are just little kids, but then we grow up to discover that having a baby isn’t always all that easy — and sometimes feels downright impossible. This is a perfect book for any parent who struggled for a baby, the parent who braved long roads and rough seas, and the tallest mountains. Finding your child may have been a journey, but it was a journey that brought you the greatest gift imaginable. I dare you to read this without crying!
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Every mom is unique, no doubt. But in very rare circumstances, you may discover one kind of mom different from all others. What kind of mom is that? The Superhero Mom, of course! This lively children’s book about moms celebrates a mother’s unique abilities to leap out of bed, multitask, and save the day. This makes her pretty great — as does her super strength (she carries so many things!) and her speed (she can fly when we are rushing!) This is such a fun story to celebrate all of the ways in which every mother is a real-life superhero!
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This poignant book is an ode to a new baby, as a young mom explains to her little girl how the child’s kindness, athleticism, sweetness, and caring spirit were nurtured even before she was born. It all leads back to the days when the child was in her mom’s tummy, and her mom would sing, dance, share chocolate cake, and care for the people and animals around her. This is such a tender story and so full of love!
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This is a quiet beauty about a young Muslim girl who plays dress-up in her mother’s colorful headscarf. It is a gorgeous and oh-so-important mirror book for Muslim children and a wonderful window book for others, especially as it so elegantly challenges Islamophobic chatter. Mommy’s Khimar exudes warmth, love, and tenderness, and it is a beautiful, relatable story for so many kids. For more fabulous children’s books about clothing, click here!
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A parent’s love is forever, and this stunning diverse baby book celebrates that concept as a young child seeks to test her independence. It is a beautiful story of an Inuit mother and daughter, conveying the universal message that a parent’s love is timeless and unbreakable. A tender story combined with exquisite illustrations makes this a classic!!
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There is so much love inside these pages, and the message to the child being read to – that a parent’s love will always be with you, wherever you go, however you grow, whether you have a good day or a bad day – is beautiful. The gorgeous and whimsical illustrations make turning every page an honest-to-goodness treat. I adore many of Tillman’s stories, but this one truly sings. If you get through this one the first time you read it without crying, I’ll give you a medal!
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This is an exquisitely crafted and collaged book about immigrants and the way in which words and stories changed the lives of a mother and her son upon arriving to the United States. It is a poignant testament to the power of a mother who will stop at nothing to give her child a better life, highlighting the sanctitude found in libraries, the magic of books, and the enormous promise that lies within the pages of every piece of literature.
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Leaving a parent is no easy feat for many kids. Whether it’s going to school for the first time (or even the 100th time!) or simply being left with a babysitter, that separation can be tough with a capital T. This book has helped us through so many tough situations. Yet, thanks to our kissing hands, my boys always remember that wherever they go I am always with them, even if not physically present. I can’t even recall how often I have reminded them to use their kissing hands. It has become so ingrained in our routines. All the love for this one and its ability to speak so perfectly to children! See our full review of The Kissing Hand here.
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After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa and her family save coins in a big jar. What are they saving up for? A big, comfortable chair so the family can relax after their respective long days. This story is poignant and so beautifully conveys one spirited family’s will to persevere after a tragedy as well as the gratitude they display to those around them, even when their own losses were devastating.
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Mama has to leave her little penguin, Kipling, for a bit. And though Kipling knows Mama will be back soon, he can’t help but miss her tons. Before long, Kipling is excited to find a special delivery from Mama — a paper heart to remind Kipling how much he is loved, and how far Mama’s love will always reach. This is a sweet, tender story, perfect for kids with a parent who is continually on the road!
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Oh, how this book made me laugh! How many of you have found yourselves saying to your kids, “can you be the mommy now? I’m too tired?” It’s something we joke about frequently in our home, and this book plays on that theme in such a fun manner! This is the story of one mom who is too exhausted to do anything, so she tells her daughter to be the mommy and take over. Charming, adorable, and oh-so-relatable, this one is so much fun!
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I absolutely adore this sweet story about how one little boy views his doting mother. When they play cars, she is a monster truck driver. When they cook together, she is a chemist. And when they play catch outside, mama is an honest-to-goodness quarterback! But that’s not it — she is even a hot lava rescuer! I love seeing how this sweet boy sees his mother as a larger-than-life, oh-so-special figure in his world. This one is just fabulous!
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If you are looking for a wonderful read-aloud to share with your kiddos to show them how a mother will stop at nothing to keep her kids safe, you will adore this one! I fell in love with this short chapter book in an instant due to its whimsy, emotional resonance, classic feel, and intricate illustrations. When mother shrew’s boy is sick, only wild honey from the moon can save him. But how will she make such an impossible journey to get it? Mother doesn’t dwell on what ifs – instead, she sets out into the great unknown and a wondrous adventure unfolds.
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Special crafts to celebrate mothers
Looking for fabulous crafts for your kids or students to make for moms, grandmas, aunts and other special people in their lives? Check out these amazing activities from some of our favorite websites!
A book-inspired mother’s day project? You know we are all about this. And these collages are absolutely to die for! Love this awesome craft! Check it out at Make it Your Own here!
How fabulous are these frames? I love that these are easy enough for a kid to make, but high quality to ensure they last! Check it out at Meaningful Mama here!
We love these adorable, free, printable cards. Easy enough for your littlest readers to color in all by themselves so they can make personalized cards for Mom! Check them out at Sunny Day Family here!
Yep. We’re obsessed. Totally love these cupcake pop-up cards. Such an easy and fun craft that you can use for any occasion! Check them out at The Soccer Mom Blog here!
Thank you for sharing! Many of these books are new to me. One of my favorite books to read about mothers is "The Runaway Bunny"