Mother’s Day is a great day to start a tradition of reading books together as a family. Positive experiences and warm memories of hearing stories from a loved one can inspire a lifelong love of reading. When parents read aloud to their children, it reinforces the habit of reading as children create a positive connection with literature.
Reading to even the youngest of children builds the relationship, as well as gives them a boost with vocabulary and language skills. Even if your children are older, you can build strong connections by chatting with them about the books they like to read, providing book recommendations, or taking them up on their book recommendations to you.
Here are our top picks of books for this Mother’s Day, so choose a book, gather your family and cozy up on the couch together for a great read!
Preschool and Kindergarten
Peppa Pig: My Mommy by Scholastic: A board book featuring Peppa—a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy! Celebrate mothers everywhere with this adorable board book brought to you by Peppa and her little brother, George. This delightful story shows the many reasons why Peppa and George love Mommy Pig, from comforting cuddles to sharing splashes in muddy puddles.
Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg: Fun rhymes tell the story of a little llama who asks each animal he sees, “Is your mama a llama?” The obvious rhyming answer is hidden on the very next page, giving every budding story hour aficionado a chance to be triumphantly right. Cheery illustrations of the animals complete an especially good book to read together.
First and Second Grade
What Moms Can’t do by Douglas Wood, Illustrated by Doug Cushman: This delightful story is told from the perspective of a child who says that mommy can’t do a lot of things, but the pictures tell a different tale: moms can’t bake, but the child has helped and made a horrific mess. Moms can’t go shopping by themselves, but the illustrations show the child putting things in the cart that the mom takes out again. The book ends by reminding us all of what moms do best.
Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Ebony Glenn: A young girl plays dress-up with her mother’s headscarves, feeling her mother’s love with every one she tries on. Charming and vibrant illustrations showcase the beauty of the diverse and welcoming community in this portrait of a young Muslim American girl’s life. The pictures and story embrace the tradition of wearing a headscarf, showing that it is normal, beautiful, and part of her family and her mother’s tradition.
Third and Fourth Grades
Ramona and her Mother by Beverly Cleary: This warm-hearted story of a mother’s love for her spirited young daughter is told beautifully by Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary. Ramona wonders if growing up is all it’s cracked up to be. No matter what, she’ll always be her mother’s little girl…right? This book is part of the Ramona Quimby book series.
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (Brixton Brothers, Book 1) by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Adam Rex: National treasures, criminal masterminds, and… secret agent librarians? Steve Brixton wants to be a crime-busting detective—just like his favorite crime-busting detectives, the Bailey Brothers. Turns out, though, that real life is nothing like the stories. When Steve borrows the wrong book from the library, he finds himself involved in a treasonous plot that pits him against helicopter-rappelling librarians, has him outwitting a gaggle of police, and sees him standing off against the mysterious Mr. E. All his Bailey Brothers know-how isn’t helping at all! Worst of all, his social studies report is due Monday, and Ms. Gilfeather will not give him an extension! A fun book to read together a chapter at a time. There are four books in this series.
5th Grade and Middle School
Chirp by Kate Messner: When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she’s recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she’d rather forget. Mia’s change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram’s thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram’s farm? And will that discovery empower Mia to confront the secret she’s been hiding—and find the courage she never knew she had? In a compelling story rich with friendship, science, and summer fun, a girl finds her voice while navigating the joys and challenges of growing up.
More to the Story by Hena Khan: This heartfelt, contemporary story about four Muslim American sisters in Georgia was inspired by Little Women and is a really fun read for fans of that classic book. Following the antics of a close-knit American Muslim family, readers will learn about culture, customs, and holidays. This tale has just the right balance of humor, heart, and integrity. If you’re looking for a lovely, family-centered mother/daughter read, you will be pleased with this one!
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