6 Perfect Picture Books for Mother's Day

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to snuggle up and read beautifully written and illustrated books with your children? If your little ones are still small enough for story time--rejoice! They really DO grow up so fast. Don't miss this chance to spend some special time together; slow down, reconnect and just enjoy being a mom with these 6 perfect picture books for Mother's Day.

If I Weren't With You

Written by Rosie J. Pova, illustrated by Philip Martineau

If I Weren’t With You seems custom-made for Mother’s Day--or any day a cozy read-aloud is called for. This comforting tale stars Willie, a little cub with a lot of big questions. Mama Bear provides simple but insightful answers using images found in nature, reassuring Willie that her love for him will always endure. Through lyrical text and lovely illustrations, this book is a heartwarming expression of the strength and depth of a mother’s love.

My Love for You Is the Sun

Written by Julie Hedlund, illustrated by Susan Eaddy

Julie Hedlund’s My Love for You is the Sun is a gentle lullaby-of-a-story, which when combined with Susan Eaddy’s captivating clay images, is both musical and mesmerizing. Told in rhyme, the story perfectly expresses a parent’s love for their child through beautiful, nature-themed metaphors. And did I mention the illustrations are amazing? A perfect book for cuddling-up at bedtime and other quiet parent-child bonding moments.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

Written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin

Author-illustrator, Emily Winfield Martin brings us this best-selling celebration of the heartfelt hopes and dreams parents have for their children. The short rhyming text comes alive with Martin’s adorable, whimsical, and occasionally comical characters. Her illustrations are truly frame-worthy masterpieces!

 The William Hoy Story

by Nancy Churnin, Illustrated by Jez Tuya

Okay, so I admit this one is less obviously a Mother's Day book, but this picture book biography about William Ellsworth Hoy is a must-have for every bookshelf. And, it just so happens that Hoy’s mother played a key role in encouraging her son to become one of the most influential and inspirational baseball players of all time--not to mention an extraordinary human being who never let anything stop him from realizing his dreams. She was clearly a major league mom!

Churnin’s language is active and engaging, drawing the reader into Hoy’s trials and triumphs. Tuya's expressive illustrations reach out and connect today’s readers with the human spirit of a bygone era.

Someday

Written by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

No list of picture books about a mother’s love would be complete without Someday, a beautifully written and illustrated story that will tug at your heartstrings. This is a book that is probably more meaningful to the parents who read it than to the children, but it does have a lovely way of putting things into perspective. Childhood is fleeting, Moms and Dads, so fleeting!

The Mother's Day Mice

Written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett

Last but not least, I had to include this oldie-but-goody. I love anything written by Eve Bunting; add Jan Brett’s endearing illustrations and you’ve got a perfect Mother’s Day book…in my book. The Mother’s Day Mice is the story of three brothers (mice) on a quest for the best Mother’s Day gift. This book is simply cute, cute, cute! And not in a nauseating way. A very enjoyable read-aloud that would also make an excellent gift.