M-A-M-A. Is there a better name to be called than “mama?” These four letters embody the magic, strength, hope, and unconditional love mothers possess. Although moms and mother figures should be honored every day of the year, there is something special about choosing one day, Mother’s Day, to celebrate the most rewarding and challenging role out there. And what better way to get ready for this holiday than by reading sweet Mother’s Day books for kids about the special love between moms and their littles?
There are a variety of ways to show our adoration for mothers on Mother’s Day. If gift-giving is a mama’s love language, then we have plenty of Mother’s Day gift recommendations. Perhaps the mommy in your life (or yourself!) is a words-of-affirmation person and would also prefer hearing some special messages on Mothers’ Day.
No matter how our loved ones choose to honor us as mothers or how you choose to honor the mamas in your life, simple gifts sometimes say it best, like a children’s book that encapsulates the many facets of a mother’s love. It can be difficult to find the right words to describe how a mother feels about her little ones. So we have curated a list of adorable Mother’s Day books that showcase the profound love mothers have for their children. Each would make a wonderful gift to enjoy this Mother’s Day and beyond. Below, check out 35 of our favorite Mother’s Day books for kids.
Board Books
Who better to take a walk on the wild side with than mommy? This story’s plush built in finger puppet makes an adventure through the jungle with your little one that much more exciting!
Discover an alphabet’s worth of reasons why mom is so spectacular (we know, 26 of them is only the beginning!), while helping your little one get a grasp on their ABCs to boot.
Anything Jimmy Fallon does puts a smile on our faces, and this sweet book does just that with every page. Although a baby’s first word may be “dada,” every word thereafter will be “mama.” We are the VIPs of our child’s world as illustrated in this cute take on the power of a “mama.”
Motherhood involves this push-and-pull feeling of wanting to keep your babies small, but at the same time wanting them to grow up into who they want to be. This book captures these feelings rooted in a mother’s devotion for her children.
This mama bear does all sorts of fun tricks to make her little cub feel loved. There is nothing a mama won’t do for her little one.
Human babies love their mamas and animal babies do too! This heartfelt story shows the many ways baby animals adore their mamas, because of too many reasons to count.
We can’t get enough of Llama Llama, and especially how much he loves spending time with his mama in this adorable board book.
Because mom’s truly are magical, grab this book that celebrates all that moms do for their families. Plus, little ones will love the looking at the bright colors and fun imagery!
No matter how far or creatively this story’s little bunny runs away from his mother during their bouts of hide and seek, his mother always channels love and perseverance to find him. Written by the same author as the beloved Goodnight Moon, little ones will cherish the reminder that no matter where life takes them, they can count on mama to be right behind them.
This story is told as one beautiful and soothing rhyming poem, revolving around the wonder of that deeply interwoven loving bond that forms between a mother and baby. It does make a lot of references to God, so if you’re a family who believes in a spiritual touch to the connections we share with our loved ones, then this will be just for you.
If your child has a lot of favorite animal friends, then they’ll have a wonderful time turning the pages of this charming story that depicts a mama’s love in action over a series of darling mother-child animal pairs.
Learn just what makes a mama bear so iconic in the everlasting guidance, protection, and fierce love she lends to her child for all of life’s details, big or small. This story follows Mommy and Baby Bear in a relatable series of situations that will have your little one calling you their mama bear (if they don’t already!) in no time.
What makes a mom so great is like a secret sauce. If asked, would your little one be able to come up with a unique list of ingredients that brings a stellar one to life? In this whimsical story, two siblings dream up the things they believe give their mom her superheroine status. It’s an engaging read that can put into perspective moms need the TLC they’re so generous with, too!
Get mom into the story with an extra-special book mom can read with her littles. Fill it with photos so they can see themselves with their mommy.
Picture Books
It’s never too early to encourage your little one to call on you whenever they need you. Whether it’s to bond, to cheer, to cry, or to express anything, really, this delightful story shows how you can drop a loving line to your mom through every age and stage.
This book is the ultimate celebration of the enduring power of love. With bright and colorful illustrations, this picture book will warm the hearts of all ages with a love-filled smooch!
Got kiddos who have been injected with Bluey fever? Perfect! This story is a dedication to Chilli, Bluey and Bingo’s mom, and all the compassionate, exciting, and ultimately memorable ways she makes their lives better. Of course, kids will be quick to make the jump between appreciating what makes Bluey and Bingo’s mom #1 and their own!
Immerse yourself in this beloved debut picture book by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Tillman. Written in a poetic fashion using whimsical imagery throughout, this sweet story captures the enduring love a parent—and especially a mother—feels for their child.
Part of the New Books for Newborns series, this book is the perfect story to introduce reading to your child, as it introduces the endless love between a mama and child. When a mother first becomes a mama, finding the right words to describe this unconditional love can prove challenging. This sweet book not only gives you those words, but it also shows you in lovely illustrations for all to enjoy.
From the moment you find out you are going to be a mommy to the first time you hold your baby, this sweet book honors the journey of motherhood and the universal bond that unites a mama with her baby for eternity.
You don’t have to be a military family to reflect on the heroic feats accomplished by moms who have jobs flying planes, operating tanks, constructing buildings, and the like. Hero Mom is a chance to admire moms who have dedicated themselves to service alongside their families, while drawing connections with your child to the hero moments you’ve shared together.
From the moment a child is born, a mother’s dreams become intertwined with her baby’s. From then on, all a mama wants is for her child to be loved and happy, and this adorable book shares why.
Some families have two moms to celebrate, and this sweet story shows how much our littles miss us when we leave but love when we come back.
Follow along with the very hungry caterpillar as it takes you through a joyful adventure to describe its immense love for mamas all over the world.
We can all relate to wanting the best future possible for our little ones. In this book, a mother dreams about the future her son will have, and reflects on her hopes for him and all that he will one day accomplish.
No list of treasured children’s books would be complete without a visit from the Berenstain Bears. Brother and Sister Bear are in pursuit of a winning gift for Mama Bear—will they be able to join forces and do justice in expressing how they feel about her? Any little one who has been trying to craft the best Mother’s Day present for their mama bear will be able to easily relate to this brother and sister’s gift-worthy mission.
A mother’s love transcends language, borders, and words. This picture book features stunning portrait illustrations from mamas across the globe depicting the many layers of a mommy’s heart, with love at its core.
This lyrical and tender Caldecott and Coretta Scott King book is dedicated to the beauty inherent in the bond between a mother and her daughter even in the coldest and rainiest of times. A mommy’s love knows no bounds.
Moms deserve tons of thanks for all that they do. This lovely story walks us through the countless things mamas do out of devotion and love for their family. All mommies are amazing!
When a baby bird loses his mama, he goes on a journey to find her, but he has no idea what she looks like! This timeless story captures the strong connection between a mama and her child no matter if they are near or far.
The bond a mama shares with her son is magical. This lyrical story uses the cutest animal illustrations to demonstrate this special relationship that will warm your heart and soul.
For the special mother-daughter bond, there’s a book, too! Mamas and little girls can read all about how moms help their daughters grow and remind them of their special relationship.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this sweet story about a dad and his two kiddos determined to make Mother’s Day special for their mom and wife. They pull out all the stops to make sure she feels appreciated.
Make it an interactive storytime by reading through these pages with your daughter and filling in the pages together. From dreamweaving to memory-keeping, there are a diversity of heartwarming opportunities to swap perspectives and learn from each other.
Storytime heads to a whole new level when you and your son get to be the ones who can author the colorful details that not only define your relationship but can spark it to grow. This keepsake journal is a thoughtful way to get your kiddo thinking out of the box with you, and leaves you with a memento to smile at for life.
