Picture Book Highlights | Mother’s Day

By Monica C. RSS Fri, May 7, 2021

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, and what better way to celebrate either in person or virtually, from near or far, than with a great picture book? Celebrate the ones you love with these titles available at the Free Library!

Me and Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera

On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan, illustrated by Saffa Khan

“Inshallah you find wonder in birds as they fly. Inshallah you are loved, like the moon loves the sky." With vibrant illustrations and prose inspired by the Quran, this charming picture book is a heartfelt and universal celebration of a parent's unconditional love.

Ebook available from Hoopla

Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kate Alizadeh

This cheerful book follows a family from morning to night in lively rhyme that rolls off the tongue. There's a buzz for each bug, and a breeze for each tree, and plenty of hugs for you and me. The toddler and mommies take a morning bike ride to a farm stand, they visit a zoo in the afternoon, and in the evening there's the bath and storybook routine before the child is tucked cozily into bed.

Ebook available from Overdrive

I Sang You Down from the Stars by Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illustrated by Michaela Goade

As she waits for the arrival of her new baby, a mother-to-be gathers gifts to create a sacred bundle. A white feather, cedar and sage, a stone from the river. Each addition to the bundle will offer the new baby strength and connection to tradition, family, and community. As they grow together, mother and baby will each have gifts to offer each other.

Your Mama by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

Yo' mama so sweet, she could be a bakery. She dresses so fine, she could have a clothing line. And, even when you mess up, she's so forgiving, she lets you keep on living. Heartwarming and richly imagined, Your Mama twists an old joke into a point of pride that honors the love, hard work, and dedication of mamas everywhere.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Dreams for a Daughter by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

This love letter from mother to daughter inspires young girls to follow their dreams, no matter what challenges life may bring. Young readers will be reminded that love and support from home will follow them as they venture out into the world.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Mommy Sayang by Rosana Sullivan

Aleeya and Mommy do everything together, and in Aleeya's dreams, they dance among enormous hibiscus flowers. Aleeya loves to ask Mommy if she will always be by her side. Mommy assures her that she will, Insh'Allah. But one day, Mommy becomes sick. Alone, Aleeya waits for her return, and it's in this moment that Aleeya realizes she can always be by Mommy's side. With a hibiscus flower in hand, Aleeya goes to Mommy's bedside to bring her love and hope. Little by little, Mommy sayang gets better.

Ebook available from Hoopla

Great Job, Mom! by Holman Wang

Being a mom is 11 jobs in one! A general who rallies the troops (or unruly kids), a curator of modern art (or finger paintings), an archeologist looking for buried treasures (or socks), when Mom gets home from her day job as a carpenter, she never knows which job will be waiting for her, but she knows it'll be fun!

Ebook available from Overdrive

Mama Baby by Chris Raschka

Mama and Baby clap and play hide-and-seek and pat-a-cake. Mama and Baby . . . Mama? Where did Mama go? In a series of spreads, simple, bold illustrations show a mother on one side and a baby on the other, interacting in universally familiar ways, until Mama dips out briefly, then returns to her crying child to offer comfort again.

In the Jerusalem Forest by Devora Busheri, illustrated by Noa Kelner

A child and her mother take a walk in the forest near Jerusalem, gazing at their reflections in a rippling pond and appreciating their time together. Inspired by the poem “The Pond” by Hayim Nahman Bialik.

Ebook available from Hoopla

You're Safe with Me by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Poonam Mistry

When the moon rises high and the stars twinkle, it is bedtime for the baby animals of the Indian forest. But tonight, when the skies turn dark and the night grows stormy, the little ones can't sleep. SWISH-SWISH! CRACK-TRACK! FLASH-SNAP! goes the storm. Only Mama Elephant with her words of wisdom can reassure them, "You're safe with me."

Ebook available from Hoopla

The Best Mother by Cynthia Surrisi, illustrated by Diane Goode

When Maxine wakes up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, she wonders if the problem might be her mother. What if she could try out a new mom who doesn't make her brush her teeth or comb her hair? Enlisting Mom to help her with the search, Maxine interviews various prospects to be her new mother at the park, the toy store, and the zoo. Unfortunately, these other mothers present a host of new problems and concerns. Maybe her "old mother" was the best mother of all?

Ebook available from Overdrive

Do you have a favorite book to celebrate Mother's Day? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check our catalog and Overdrive Kids eReading Room for these titles and many more!


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