Mother's Day Books

It's fun to have some books in your child's personal library about mothers.  Exploring books with your child can create so many insightful discussions into how your child perceives the world.  If you're looking for some specific books about mothers and children, check out our archives!

Happy Mother's Day!

Big Bad Bunny

Big Bad Bunny, written by Franny Billingsley, with art by G. Brian Karas, starts off with a fearsome Bunny and a calm Mama Mouse. One page depicts the scary Bunny with fierce text and then the next page is very much a contrast with the serene Mama Mouse.  The story progresses as Big Bad Bunny realizes she is lost (the one thing she’s scared of) with the reader discovering that Mama Mouse is looking for her lost child…..yes, her child mouse pretending she is Big Bad Bunny!  It ends up being a humorous book with this surprise ending.  It’s a great conversation starter about making assumptions, the fun of pretend play, and the reassurance that a mother will look out for her child.  We hope you enjoy meeting Big Bad Bunny!

Question Collection:

*How would you describe Big Bad Bunny?  Mama Mouse?

*Are you surprised Big Bad Bunny is afraid of anything?

*Do you like to pretend you’re something else?  What?

Llama Llama Home with Mama

We love reading Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney!  Llama Llama, Home with Mama follows the antics of Baby Llama on a sick day.  The rhyming words and the clever illustrations add to the fun of reading about Baby Llama. The story takes a turn as Mama Llama gets sick, too.  There are some important lessons about empathy as Baby Llama helps Mama. We hope you enjoy this great Llama book!

Question Collection:

*How do you know Baby Llama is sick?

*What things help you when you are sick?

*How does Baby Llama help Mama? 

Only You

Only You is an important book for parents written by Rosemary Wells.  The book contains tips for reading to toddlers before the delightful story starts.   This book is a great reminder, at any age, of the important bonds between parents and children.  I think this book would make a great gift to any expectant or new parent.  It’s one that will be treasured!

I Love You, Too

A perfect gift for a mother to share with her child is I Love You, Too! by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Beautiful illustrations accompany the story that begins with Little Brown Puppy searching for a gift for his mother.  He brings a bone to her, so she tells him she loves the bone.  She also tells him that she loves him too.  Other animals then begin looking for the perfect gift for their mothers.  Each mother animal loves the gift and tells her offspring that she loves him/her also.  The story ends with Billy giving his mother the best gift with her responding that she loves him too.  Rhyming is used in each animal’s conversation. Reading and discussing this book together can affirm parent love.  We hope you enjoy this book!

Question Collection:

*What’s your favorite part of the book?

*Did you hear any rhyming words?

*Can you name an animal that isn’t in this book and predict what it would bring to its mama?

I Love You, Little One

I Love You, Little One, by Nancy Tafuri, is a gentle book about mothers and how they love their children.  Each section begins with an animal in the deep woods asking its mama if she loves him/her.  Very reassuringly the mother answers and tells her child how much she loves him/her.  The story progresses to a child in a log cabin deep in the woods making the same inquiry of Mama.  This is a good bedtime story to be shared with children. 

Question Collection:

*Which of these animals have you seen?

*Which animal is your favorite?

*Can you think of other animals and what their mothers would say?

Momma, Will You?

Momma, Will You?, by Dori Chaconas, is a heart warming story told as a little boy, his baby sister, and Momma go about their day on a farm. The little boy asks his Momma various questions about the farm animals they encounter.  Every question is followed by, “Yes, or no, or maybe?”  The mother answers each question in a rhyme that adds to the ease of reading this book. The paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher add to the beauty of this book.  The “question” pages have a simple silhouette of the animal in question on a colorful background while the “answer” pages have beautiful vignettes of the little boy, baby sister, and Momma.  We hope you enjoy this peaceful, heartwarming book about family relationships.

Question Collection:

*What is your favorite question in the book?

*What question would you ask about a farm animal?

*Which picture is your favorite?

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Llama Llama Misses Mama, by Anna Dewdney, is an enjoyable book that helps children work through the feelings of missing their mothers while going to school.  As usual, Anna Dewdney provides a fun story full of rhyme and colorful illustrations to delight the reader.  The message of loving parents and school is told in an understandable way. 

Question Collection:

*What parts of Llama school look fun to you?

*Have you ever missed your Mama?

*What does Baby Llama find out about himself?

Llama Llama Mad at Mama

Llama Llama Mad at Mama, by Anna Dewdney, continues the story of Baby Llama and his antics.  The rhymes, pictures, and story combine to make this a tale that children and mothers can relate to---frustration with shopping!  Re-reading this story has resulted in us being able to quote much of the book.  We love Baby Llama, and hope you will too.

Question Collection:

*Have you ever felt like Baby Llama?

*Can you tell me some of the rhyming words in the story?

*What does Mama do to help Baby Llama?

*What does Baby Llama do to help Mama?

Llama Llama, Red Pajama

Llama, Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney, is the first book in a series about Baby Llama and Mama Llama.  This story addresses a familiar stage of growing up---the bedtime ritual.  Children and parents will identify with the “llama drama” that ensues after Baby Llama wants his Mama after she has tucked him in for the night.  The rhyming verse makes this an easy book to read and repeat.  Baby Llama is a favorite character at our house!

Question Collection:

*What does Mama Llama do to help Baby Llama go to sleep?

*What is Baby Llama worried about?

*What’s your favorite scene in the book?

Mama's Little Duckling

Mama’s Little Duckling, by Marjorie Blain Parker, tells the story of a mama duckling and her efforts to keep her duckling, Dandelion Duckling, safe while also allowing him to explore his world. The author makes the story even more interesting by use of alliteration.  We enjoy reading about all of Dandelion’s adventures with his friends.

In addition to enjoying the story, a parent can use this book to help a child who is questioning boundaries.  The duckling learns how much his mama loves him through her actions.  A surprise ending shows the love Dandelion has for his Mama.  This is a great book for a mother and her children to learn from together.

Question Collection:

*Why does Mama Duckling warn Dandelion?

*Who are Dandelion’s friends?

*Were you surprised at the ending?