Celebrating the strong women in our families on Mother’s Day, through children’s books
Posted by Laura M on May 2nd 2024
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! One way to make the day even more special is by cozying up with your child and reading books that celebrate the unique bond between mothers and their children. We have put together a list of our favorite Wunderland Books and more for all ages that will honor this special relationship. Whether you’re a mom, grandmother, aunt, or loved one, these titles offer touching illustrations and stories that will resonate with both children and adults alike.
Mama’s Home By Shay Youngblood
This beautifully illustrated picture book is the perfect story that celebrates both born and chosen families. This book will take readers on a journey with a young girl who is often parented by a village of strong women as her mother works. After visiting seven homes with seven Big Mamas, readers will witness the abundance of love that surrounds the main character and the important role strong females play in our lives. From the Pushcart Prize-winning author Shay Youngblood, this book shows children that family can come in many different shapes and sizes. No matter how different, family is always worth treasuring!
This charming picture book celebrates the mother-daughter relationship. The beautiful storytelling will have you excited to read it over and over again. Readers will also enjoy the impressively bold, detailed illustrations and lyrical writing. Although this book takes place on an ordinary rainy day, it dives deeper into the bond shared between a mom and daughter and their appreciation for each other.
Salsa Magic by Letisha Marrero
A culturally enriched, humorous middle-grade novel filled with family that emphasizes the importance of passing down traditions.Thirteen-year-old, Maya is challenged with juggling school, soccer, and her job at Café Taza. This book is a coming-of-age tale about Maya as she learns to navigate her first crush, her family’s complicated past and Afro-Latino culture.
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
This Newbery Honor Award Winner is about a close-knit bond between three sisters as they travel across the country to stay with their long-absent mother. Although this story does not depict the perfect mother relationship, it shows us the importance of family and friendship. This middle-grade historical fiction will take you on a journey through the Black Panther movement in the sixties and what it was like for a young girl during this time.
In this mother-daughter drama, the main character dreads the ritual of getting her curly hair straightened every Sunday with her mom. This spirited story by Claribel Ortega takes you on a young girl’s quest to embrace herself and defy society’s beauty standards. Young Marlene wants to embrace her curls, but her mother does not appreciate them. Marlene will soon learn why her mother dislikes her hair. This graphic novel will teach young readers to appreciate the features they were born with and how to navigate difficult conversations with loved ones.
Other books we recommend:
- A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond
- Homebase by Nikki Tate
- In Search of Us by Ava Dellaira
- She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch by June Smalls
- Wherever You’ll Be by Ariella Prince Guttman
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Each of these remarkable titles showcase strong women and girls and celebrate the importance of family, whether biological or not. From heartfelt dramas to beautifully illustrated stories, there is a find for every kind of family. So, grab your favorite book and snuggle up with your child to celebrate Mother’s Day and create long-lasting memories!