A Mother's Love: 30 Books Celebrating Mighty Moms & Daughters

Mighty Moms

Moms work hard at whatever they do — and that includes loving their kids! In this appealing board book for vehicle-crazy kids, fire truck moms, school bus moms, ambulance moms, and many more spend time with their little truck kids. Each colorful page shows a new pair and celebrates their bond. With rhythmic rhyming text and sweet, vibrant illustrations, this book is perfect for kids to read with their Mighty Moms — Mother's Day or any day!

Mommy Hugs

Count and play through a busy day with this Mighty Girl and her loving mom! Each activity, from waking up to eating breakfast to playing at the park, involves a different sort of hug — but every one of them lets her know that Mommy loves her to pieces. Katz's distinctive bright, patterned illustrations are always a hit with young kids, and they'll soon be asking for their own special hug.

If Kisses Were Colors

This book reminds kids that a mother’s love could fill a whole rainbow! Janet Lawler’s lyrical verse is complemented by Alison Jay’s delicate paintings as they capture all the feelings of a mother’s love: warmer than a blanket, stronger than a tree, and, of course, brighter than a rainbow. This book is targeted to young children, but its message is equally appropriate as a gift for a baby shower or Mother’s Day.

My Mom Is Magical

The unicorn mother in this cheerful board book is purely magical! "My mom is more amazing than a billion butterflies," the little unicorn declares, and that's not all: she's also "smarter than a school of owls"; "stronger than a squad of superheroes"; "braver than a deep-sea explorer"; and "sillier than a band of bananas!" Most importantly, though, she's great at reminding you: "Kid, you're magical too!" With vibrant illustrations and fun text by the creators of the Hello!Lucky greeting card and design studio, this is an exuberant tribute to magical moms.

I Love Mom with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Show Mom just how much she means with the help of the Very Hungry Caterpillar! As the caterpillar crawls through the book, he sees animal mothers caring for their babies: lifting them up, holding them close, and giving them the strength and wisdom they need to face the big world around them! Eric Carle's distinctive artwork and lively animal characters ensure that every child (and mom) can see themselves in this book. Joyful illustrations and colorful creatures make this a lovely keepsake perfect to show whoever you call "Mom" just how much she means to you. For the companion book for fathers, check out I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

For All The Stars Across The Sky

Luna and her Mama always share a nightly wish before bedtime. "I wish that we could fly like birds!" Luna exclaims, and soon the pair are imagining soaring high above the world. Another wish sends them swimming through a coral reef, shrinking down to the size of ants, and then growing into giants who stomp down the lane! By the time their adventure is done, Luna is ready to snuggle into her very own bed. In this charming, soothing story, full of soft, evocative artwork, a loving mother/daughter pair celebrate the joys of imaginary journeys and bedtime routines.

Like the Moon Loves the Sky

Award-winning author Hena Kahn celebrates a mother's love for her children in this lyrical picture book inspired by words from the Quran! When a baby is born, her mother wishes for her to become "all that is gentle and good." As she grows, she learns new skills, takes responsibility for her actions, and cultivates a sense of wonder and kindness in everything that she does. Throughout it all, she is confident in one thing above all: she can always find security and comfort in the arms of her family. Lyrical and heartwarming, with rich illustrations by debuting illustrator Saffa Khan, this elegant and charming story is a celebration of a mother's love.

Koala Lou

As her family grows — and Mother Koala gets busier — she stops saying the words that Koala Lou loves to hear: "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" Koala Lou is determined to do something impressive to earn her mother's love again, and the Bush Olympics' gum-tree-climbing event seems perfect. She trains hard, despite aches and pains, sure she'll win her mother's attention. But when things don't go to according to her plan, Koala Lou's mother is there to reassure her that, no matter what, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!"

Home Base: A Mother-Daughter Story

A mother-daughter pair are each preparing for their biggest challenge yet. For the daughter, it's an attempt to prove herself on the pitcher's mound. For the mother, it's executing a big bricklaying job. Both face obstacles, including gender stereotypes and the hard work necessary to achieve your goals. But when they're done, they get to celebrate their victories together! With its simple, direct text and absorbing illustrations, this book celebrates all the things that girls and women can do — and how much more we can do with the support of the people we love.

Imani's Moon

A mother can be a daughter's inspiration to do something great. Imani is the tiniest girl in her village, but her mother assures her that she can still do amazing things. Her mother's stories about Olapa, the moon goddess, inspire Imani's goal: she will touch the moon. Everyone laughs at her efforts, and her leaf wings take her nowhere close to the sky. Then, Imani sees the Maasai warriors performing the adumu jumping dance. A day of jumping later, and Imani greets Olapa — and brings home a moon rock to proudly show her mother. And that night, inspired by her mother's tales, it's Imani who is the storyteller, telling "The Tale of the Girl who Touched the Moon."

B: A Poem

Sarah Kay’s spoken word poem is now available in this beautiful picture book treatment illustrated by Sophia Janowitz. From its opening sentence — “If I should ever have a daughter, / instead of Mom, she’s going to call me Point B / Because that way she knows that no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me.” — this is a work that will capture your attention. Its powerful message about how a loving parent is there throughout the challenges and wonders of life is sure to inspire any mother.

Lola at the Library

If mother-daughter trips to the library are a fond part of the daily routine, be sure to check out this story! Lola’s excitement at her library visit is infectious — storytime and songs, the new books to check out, the treat on the way home — but best of all is when Mommy reads her a story at bedtime. Book-loving children — and mothers — will love this story from beginning to end. Fans of Lola can also follow her as she journeys towards being an independent reader in Lola Loves Stories and Lola Reads to Leo — and more of her adventures in the rest of the Lola Reads series.

Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree

This little girl and her mother are up extra early for something special: a day picking mulberries! The sun is just rising when they get on the bus, snuggling close on the seats as they ride into the English countryside. There, they find their favorite mulberry tree, and start filling their buckets and tubs. A picnic lunch provides a nice break, and they shelter under the tree when it starts to rain. By the time the sun is setting, they're on their way home, ready for the final treat from the day's adventure: a delicious mulberry pie! This charming and gentle story about a mother-daughter tradition is a celebration of the abundance around us and of spending time with someone you love.

Also

This little girl is at her Gramma's house, exploring a hill full of blueberry bushes — but she's also remembering camping with her mom. Her grandmother is watching her out the kitchen window, and enjoying memories of seeing a bunny in her own mother's garden. And the girl's mother is walking to find her, but also thinking of when she used to pick berries and sort them in Gramma's kitchen. Each of them is here but also in the past... and their memories connect them, ever closer to one another. Beloved author/illustrator E. B. Goodale tells a meditative story about the bonds between mothers and daughters, the importance of memory, and the way love connects us, even across time.

Up: A Mother and Daughter's Peakbagging Adventure

Patricia Ellis Herr’s daughter Alex had so much energy from such a young age that Herr thought she might be able to tackle serious hikes at the age of 5 — not just long ones, but paths that might make adults struggle. Together, the pair climbed all 48 of New Hampshire’s highest mountains — and both mother and daughter learned a few lessons about independence, fearlessness, and daring. As Trish recount their exciting but sometimes nerve-wracking journeys, readers will celebrate the proof "that small doesn't necessarily mean weak; that girls can be strong; and that big, bold things are possible."

The Ugly Vegetables

When this little girl sets out to help her mother plant their garden in the spring, she can't help but compare their plants to the beautiful flowers their neighbors are growing. Why do her friends all get to grow colorful blossoms while she has to help tend a boring vegetable patch? But her mother assures her that "these are better than flowers," and when harvest time comes — and her mother starts cooking up a huge pot of vegetable soup — those ugly Chinese vegetables draw the whole neighborhood together, eager for a taste. Lin's story, which comes with a guide for the pronunciation of Chinese vegetable names and a recipe for Ugly Vegetable Soup, will speak to any mother and daughter who have struggled with cultural differences.

Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!

Harriet is doesn’t MEAN to be a problem, but she still manages to make a tremendous mess — and a lot of work for her mother. When one final mishap puts Harriet’s Mom over the edge, she yells and yells. But in the end, after apologies in each direction, the loving pair are giggling together as they clean up the mess. This is the perfect book to remind Mom that hard days come and go, but the love is always there.

Ramona and Her Mother

Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work, and to Ramona, it feels like their world is upside down. Without her mother at home, Ramona is too little to stay at home by herself, but too old to avoid being told to watch annoying Willa Jean. And every time she does something wrong, Ramona wonders if she still holds a place in her mother's heart. Fortunately, when she finally admits her fears, her mother is there to reassure her that she will always be loved. Ramona captures the tangled and uncertain feelings of school-aged kids perfectly. Fans of Ramona should also check out Ramona and Her Father, in which Ramona's dad reassures her that, even with tight times after a job loss, he wouldn't trade her for a million dollars.

Just Between Us: Mother and Daughter

A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal

This bestselling guided journal helps moms and daughters establish fun, thought-provoking ways of communicating with each other! Meredith and Sophie Jacobs started sharing a journal when Sophie was nine, and they have applied their experiences to create this fun resource to help other mother-daughter pairs. With its thoughtful writing prompts and intergenerational advice woven throughout, this journal helps promote discussions about friends, school, crushes, and many of the other joys and difficulties faced growing up. The same authors have also created two follow-up volumes, Just Between Us: Sisters and Just Between Us: Grandmother and Granddaughter.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club

How Ten Busy Mothers and Daughters Came Together to Talk, Laugh, and Learn Through Their Love of Reading

One of the best ways to bond in A Mighty Girl’s opinion is to read good books together! In this guide, Mom will read the story of one mother-daughter book club, but also learn the practical steps to take to organize one of her own. Shireen Dodson believes that sharing ideas together like this has a strong effect on a daughter’s confidence, independence, and strength, while mothers enjoy watching their daughter’s mind blossom and grow. We couldn’t agree more!