Picture Books About Mothers
Updated: 25/2/2025
Overview: These picture books about mothers highlight the different ways mothers show love in various family setups. Read on for more.
Book Takeaways
Diverse Families: Inclusive view of different family structures and cultural backgrounds.
Role of Mothers: Stories highlight the universal role of mothers in nurturing development and character.
Making Connections: The books help children think about their own experiences and understand others better.
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Table of Contents
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Why Read Picture Books about Mothers?
These picture books celebrate the love of mothers across various family types and cultures and are not just for Mother’s Day.
There’s a great mix of books about different types of mothers—like moms, stepmoms, caregivers from different cultures, single mums, those who sometimes get annoyed with their kids, and moms facing financial struggles.
Picture Books about Mothers and Mums
These books show how mothers:
- support their children emotionally and mentally.
- offer love and security.
- help shape their children’s personalities and character.
- teach children how to handle social situations.
- give advice, support, and wisdom.
- promote creativity and imagination.
Adnan: The Boy Who Helped His Mummy Remember by Mark Arrigo
Adnan’s mother struggles with mental health issues due to the trauma they’ve experienced living in Syria. He helps his mother remember their past and heal from her trauma.
Adnan explores refugees’ experiences, the impact of trauma on mental health, navigating life in a new place, resilience, and hope.
Again! by Emily Gravett
A dragon wants his bedtime story again and again. When his mother falls asleep during the fourth reading, the dragon cannot control his emotions and burns a hole through the back of the book!
Again! explores understanding and managing frustration, developing patience, and a love for reading.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Despite being told she can’t play Peter Pan in the school play because she’s a girl, Grace, backed by her mama and Nana’s unwavering support, auditions and wins the role.
Amazing Grace explores self-esteem, adaptability, determination, fairness, gender roles, and making personal connections.
Amma's Sari by Sandhya Parappukkaran
Shreya is embarrassed by her mother’s traditional sari. Yet, as Amma explains its significance, she learns to embrace her cultural roots.
Amma’s Sari explores acceptance, cultural identity, curiosity, respect, and that our cultural heritage is fundamental to who we are.
The Big Big Sea by Martin Waddell
A girl narrates her experiences of wading in the sea with her mother on a moonlit night and the comfort she gets from her mother’s presence.
The Big Big Sea sexplores shared experiences, creating memories, family bonds, and the comforting presence of loved ones.
A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams
A family’s home is destroyed by fire, and they lose all their belongings. They move into a new apartment and save coins until they can buy the perfect chair for Mama to rest in after work.
A Chair for My Mother explores poverty, saving money, community generosity, and perseverance, even in the face of adversity.
Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse
Tess looks up, pleading to the sky for rain. The city has an endless heatwave with sticky sidewalks and plants dying. As the grey clouds roll in, Tess joins her friend to dance in the refreshing rain.
Come On, Rain! explores anticipation, the joy of simple events, the beauty of nature, and the sense of community shared experiences can create.
Deep In The Sahara by Kelly Cunnane
In Mauritania, Lalla is eager to wear a malafa like her mother and older sister, believing it would make her feel grown-up. Her mother explains that wearing a malafa is not just about looking beautiful; it symbolizes faith and respect for their traditions.
Deep in The Sahara explores respect for different cultures and religions, self-awareness, identity, and Islamic culture.
Don't Forget by Patricia Lakin
Sarah wants to bake a surprise birthday cake for her mother in a postwar Jewish neighbourhood. Initially apprehensive about visiting the Singers’ shop because of their Nazi concentration camp experience, she learns a life-affirming message.
Don’t Forget explores overcoming fear, community, empathy, the effects of war, prejudice, and learning from others’ experiences.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Dreamers mirrors the author’s experience of migrating from Mexico to America with her young son. While adapting to a new culture, language, and customs, Morales finds solace in her local library.
Dreamers explores determination, resilience, courage, and hope, cultivating empathy and an appreciation for diverse experiences.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corner by Joanna Ho
An Asian girl takes pride in her distinct physical trait—her eyes, which kiss in the corners, like those of her mother, grandmother, and little sister.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corner explores self-affirmation, personal identity, empowerment, and self-esteem.
Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox
Harriet tests her mother’s patience, leading her usually calm mother to lose her temper. Both realise that even when they do things they wish they hadn’t, their love for each other remains strong.
Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! explores patience, the dynamics of a mother-child relationship, and unconditional love.
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Heckedy Peg turns seven naughty children into food and spirits them away to her cave. But their mother’s quick thinking and cunning outwits the witch, leading to a reunion with her children.
Heckedy Peg explores the consequences of disobedience, the power of creative thinking, and the art of prediction.
A Hero Like Me by Angela Joy and Jen Reid
Jamilah loves superheroes but doesn’t fit the typical superhero mould because of her hijab. Her mother and a real-life superhero help her learn that true heroism comes from within.
A Hero Like Me explores heroism in everyday acts of kindness, bravery, identity, and self-confidence.
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho
In rural Thailand, a mother pleads with the surrounding animals not to wake her sleeping baby. However, the baby has been awake all along, watching everything with silent amusement.
Hush! A Thai Lullaby explores maternal love, understanding animal behaviour, and observation.
It's a No-Money Day by Kate Milner
When there’s no money left and no food in the house, a mother takes her daughter to a food bank. The mother finds the experience humiliating, but the girl appreciates the kindness of those helping.
It’s a No-Money Day explores poverty, resilience in the face of adversity, and community support in difficult times
The Journey by Francesca Sanna
A mother escapes a war with her two children. Her courage and desperation show how dire circumstances push people to leave everything behind and embark on dangerous journeys towards an uncertain future.
The Journey fosters empathy, the realities of displacement and migration, and the unwavering hope that fuels such journeys.
Madani's Best Game by Fran Pintadera
Madani plays football barefoot because he lacks proper cleats. As a big match approaches, he saves money to buy new cleats but instead buys a sewing machine for his mother.
Madani’s Best Game, translated from Spanish, explores generosity, selflessness, thoughtful decisions, determination, and resourcefulness.
The Magic Doll: A Children's Book Inspired by African Art by Adrienne Yabouza
A girl in a West African village explains the importance of fertility statues, particularly the Akua-Ba fertility figures of the Akan people of Ghana.
The Magic Doll, translated from French, explores cultural traditions, motherly love, African art and culture, and the role of fertility statues in African cultures.
Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice by Elisa Stad
A young girl discovers that her mother expresses love through Hainan Chicken Rice, a dish with deep cultural and emotional significance. As the girl helps her mother, she learns that love can be shown in many ways.
Mama’s Love Language explores love, cultural heritage, and understanding how people express their feelings.
Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijan
A girl yearns to wear one of her mother’s saris. Her mother drapes her in a beautiful blue sari, filling the young girl with joy and a sense of maturity.
Mama’s Saris explores cultural traditions, the influence of parental figures, the desire for growth, and shared experiences.
Mama's Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chino treasures her mother’s silky sleeping scarf. She plays with the scarf, feeling closer to her mum through this simple and meaningful object.
Mama’s Sleeping Scarf explores family love, making memories, comfort, and how ordinary items can provide a sense of security.
Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña
Milo sketches passengers on a train ride and imagines their stories. He visits his mother in prison and rethinks his assumptions about others, realising looks don’t reveal the full story.
Milo Imagines the World explores empathy, understanding, bias, judgment, curiosity, and assumptions based on looks or a single narrative.
Missing Mummy by Rebecca Cobb
A boy who has lost his mother experiences a range of emotions from confusion and guilt to anger and sadness as he tries to understand where his mummy has gone and why she isn’t coming back.
Missing Mummy explores grief, loss, understanding death, expressing emotions, and coping with change.
Mommy Sayang by Rosana Sullivan
Set in Malaysia, Aleeya and her mother spend quality time together. When her mother falls ill, Aleeya comforts her by bringing a hibiscus flower to her mother’s bedside, symbolising their love.
Mommy Sayang explores familial love, empathy, and the power of small acts of kindness.
Mommy's Hometown by Hope Lim
A boy and his mother visit her hometown. It has transformed into a bustling city, different from his imagination. When they visit the river where his mother played, he discovers that the spirit of her stories are still present.
Mummy’s Hometown explores change, memories, family bonds, and the essence of home.
Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
When a young girl wraps herself in her mother’s khimar, she feels her mother’s warmth, love, and comfort surrounding her.
Mommy’s Khimar explores respect for other cultures and religions and the cultural and religious significance of the khimar.
Mum's Jumper by Jayde Perkin
A girl struggling with losing her mother discovers an old jumper she used to wear. It becomes a cherished possession and a symbol of her mother’s love, comfort, and presence.
Mum’s Jumper explores coping with loss and grief, empathy, compassion, resilience, and staying connected to those we have lost.
My Footprints by Bao Phi
Thuy is bullied because of her appearance and her two mothers. Walking home in the snow, she imagines herself as a beautiful and powerful creature before realising her own unique strength.
My Footprints explores bullying, resilience, emotional expression, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and Vietnamese heritage
My Mother's Tongue by Uma Menon
Sumi sees her mother’s ability to speak Malayalam and English as a superpower and experiences the complexities and richness of living between two languages and cultures.
My Mother’s Tongue explores multilingualism, the challenges of biculturalism, female role models, curiosity, and cultural heritage
No David! by David Shannon
David is always breaking the rules – flooding the bath, jumping on beds, smashing vases – you name it. But, amidst all the chaos, he learns the importance of responsible decision-making, manners, the power of apology, and forgiveness.
Using No, David! for classroom rules and routines?
After students talk about David’s choices and their consequences, use these retelling and sequencing activities to put the story events in order and revisit what David learns.
Not Now, Noor by Farhana Islam
Noor comes up with imaginative reasons why women in her family wear hijabs, such as hiding snacks or being a spy. Her mother, Ammu, returns home and explains the importance of wearing hijabs.
Not Now, Noor explores Muslim practices, respecting cultural and religious customs and curiosity.
Pea Pod Lullaby by Glenda Millard
A mother and child flee their war-torn home. They encounter various creatures with unique challenges, yet all share the universal need for refuge, kindness, and companionship.
Pea Pod Lullaby explores courage, endurance, hope, welcoming and accepting others, and the need for a safe refuge.
The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant
Billy’s strange family, eccentric mums, rude parrots, and home, which looks like an underwater world, make him long for a normal life. But Billy learns to appreciate his ‘pirate’ mums.
The Pirate Mums explores family diversity, respect, individuality, appreciating what makes us unique, and ‘normal’ has many definitions.
A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti
Go on a journey through a women’s shelter, seen through the eyes of a young girl. With her mother’s help, the girl overcomes her anxiety and adjusts to her new surroundings.
A Place to Stay explores resilience, hope, overcoming adversity, adaptation, empathy, and homelessness.
Saturday by Oge Mora
Ava eagerly anticipates Saturdays for special bonding time with her mom. She learns that things can still work out beautifully when their plans don’t pan out as expected.
Saturday explores the power of positivity, resilience in the face of disappointment, and adaptability in unexpected circumstances.
See You Soon by Mariame Kaba
ueenie is worried and uncertain when her mother goes to jail. She spends the next two years with her grandmother, learning to cope with her new reality and finding strength in her resilience.
See You Soon explores separation, empathy, understanding, and the experiences of children who have incarcerated parents.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Sulwe has darker skin and wishes for lighter skin to avoid teasing. Her mother shares a profound story that helps Sulwe love her unique beauty and ignore the negative comments.
Sulwe explores self-acceptance, embracing our unique features and inner beauty.
Superhero Mom by Timothy Knapman
A girl observes her mom’s superhuman abilities, from running fast for the bus to whipping up delicious meals. She doesn’t wear a cape or fly around, but her actions are nothing short of heroic.
Superhero Mom explores the roles and responsibilities of parents, everyday heroism, and the mother and child bond.
A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
One boy, who has two mommies, answers the questions from his friends about his family. He explains how his two moms are just like any other parents, highlighting that love, not gender, defines a family.
A Tale of Two Mommies explores diverse family structures, acceptance, asking questions, and curiosity.
Ten Cents a Pound by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Set in Asia, a girl dreams of an education but is torn between leaving her family and pursuing her dreams. The title refers to the mother’s earnings from picking coffee beans.
Ten Cents a Pound explores education, the struggle between familial duty and personal dreams, parental sacrifices, and socio-economic struggles.
Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan
Surrounded by war, Yazan struggles with the changes in his daily life and feels confined. His mother helps him use his imagination indoors, finding resilience in adversity.
Tomorrow, translated from Arabic, explores hope, resilience, self-expression, empathy, different realities, and the impact.
Tundra Mouse Mountain by Riitta Jalonen
Sari and her mother visit the Arctic coast of Norway because her mother wants to return a dried flower known as Tundra Mouse or Alpine Mouse-ear to its original habitat.
Tundra Mouse Mountain, translated from Finnish, explores self-discovery, the significance of keeping promises, and respect for the natural world.
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
A girl helps her mother plant a garden of bumpy, ugly vegetables. She wishes for a garden of bright flowers, but as the vegetables grow and are cooked into a delicious soup, she appreciates their uniqueness.
The Ugly Vegetables celebrates differences, cultural diversity, the beauty in the ordinary, and appreciation of our heritages.
Vanishing Colors by Constance Ørbeck-Nilssen
A girl and her mother shelter in a broken building, surrounded by darkness and danger. The girl’s dreams, thoughts, and memories portray the challenges of refugees.
Vanishing Colors, translated from Norwegian, explores perseverance, hope, resilience in adversity, and compassion for those who have experienced trauma.
You're Snug With Me by Chitra Soundar
In a frozen landscape, two curious bear cubs are born. They wonder what lies beyond their den and Mama Bear teaches them about the land of snow and the ocean full of ice.
You’re Snug With Me celebrates nature’s beauty and wonder while promoting security, support, curiosity, and love.
Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A girl feels disheartened when her name is mispronounced. When her mother reassures her that her “name is a song,” she returns to school, prepared to embrace her identity and educate others.
Your Name is a Song explores pride in our unique identities and respecting and honouring individuals’ names.
In Summary
Using picture books about mothers helps you talk to children about different family structures and common themes of love and support.
They show different maternal roles within different cultures, encouraging children to appreciate and respect differences while finding common ground.
What do you think of these books about mothers? Do you have any favorite picture books you use for Mother’s Day?
