Perfect Books for Moms and Grandmas

Mothers are superwomen. They make sure the books get read, the homework is completed, the teeth brushed and hair brushed too (on good days). They do all of that and so much more. What do you get a mom who loves to read to her kids? These books might help you out. Happy Mother's Day!

You Made Me A Mother by Laurenne Sala, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser (illustrator of Fancy Nancy) 

This book is a beautiful little story about the mother’s journey alongside her child’s growing up. “If I could, I would open my heart, and love would rain down all over you.” 

I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site)

Illustrated in pastel colors by Lichtenheld, I Wish You More is a sweet book that goes both ways—parents can have wishes for their children, such as “more treasures than pockets.” In turn, a child can wish happiness on his or her mother. The book ends with the line, “I wish you more stories than stars.”

i carry your heart with me by e.e. cummings, illustrated by Mati McDonough

One of my all-time favorite poems is beautifully illustrated in this book with cut paper illustrations to demonstrate a mother’s love for her child. The book works dually in that it can be given to a child, and also given to a mother. 

An excerpt: 

“and it’s you whatever a moon has always meant/and whatever a sun will always sing is you/ here is the deepest secret that nobody knows/ (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud)/ and the sky of the sky of the a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)/ and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart/ i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)” 

Once Upon a Cloud by Claire Keane

Claire Keane is the concept artist for Tangled and Frozen, and she brings the same dreamy, pastel look to her illustrations. One of my all time favorites for Mother’s Day, a little girl named Celeste wonders what would be the perfect gift for her mother? It takes exploring the sunny skies, traveling on a cloud, and swooping above the earth before she realizes that the best gifts are those from the heart. 

"Celeste wanted the perfect gift for her mom." 

Don't forget about the grandmas!

Mango, Abuela and Me by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez

I love this story, in that it explains so perfectly the generation and language gap between grandparents who may speak a different language from their grandchildren. In this case, a little girl’s grandma comes to stay, but “when I show Abuela my new book, she can’t unlock the English words.” In turn, the little girl’s español is not good enough “to tell her the things an abuela should know. Like how I am the very best in art and who I can run as fast as the boys.” When Mango the parrot joins their family, granddaughter and grandmother learn to practice each other’s language with Mango who can speak spanish AND english. 

Nana in the City written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo 

A little boy goes to visit his nana in the city, but he is scared of the loud noises and overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. He says, “It is no place for a nana to live.” Nana knows best, and knits her grandson a cape to help him stay brave when they explore the city the next day. Nana wears red glasses, a red purse, and red boots, and a hat with a red feather in it. She is kind, warm, and shows her grandson that in this world, it is better to be brave than to be afraid. 

Teamwork

One of the things I admire most about Kylie Jean is the way she goes to her friends and family for help. Together, she and her cousin and friends figure out how to cope with the mean new girl without stooping to mean-girl tactics, in Kylie Jean: Drama Queen by Marci Peschke, illus. by Tuesday Mourning. In Kylie Jean: Blueberry Queen, she asks her cousin (a different, older cousin) to help her register for the Blueberry Queen contest, then calls upon her grandparents for assistance—her photographer grandfather for a picture, and her other grandparents for sponsorship. Kylie Jean also asks a neighbor she admires to write a recommendation for her. The heroine models a strategy that can be very helpful to children of this age, who are making fledgling attempts toward independence. She asks for help from people she trusts. Clara Lee also does this in Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream when she seeks out her grandfather as her trusted advisor.

That awkward transition to doing things on their own is easier for both Kylie Jean and Clara Lee because of the roles their families play in helping them achieve their goals. Kylie Jean makes a list of tasks to complete in Blueberry Queen, and enlists her family or friends with specific skills to help with each. In the case of Clara Lee, it’s self-confidence she needs—to believe she, too, deserves to represent her town, not because her family helped to found the town (like her rival’s family did), but because she sees herself as an integral part of its community. And then she must summon the courage to give a speech. But once she overcomes the first crisis of confidence, the second feels easy.

It’s sometimes hard to find strong books for this age group because so few drill down to these essential issues of blossoming independence. But Kylie Jean, Clara Lee, Dessert Schneider from Dessert First, Clementine, and Ivy and Bean can be strong guides through rough waters.