Mother's Day is almost here, and for me, it always means thinking about my own mom, Helen Joanne Jones. She showed me that books are more than stories; they can help you feel seen, explore the world, and imagine what's possible. I wouldn't be the reader I am today without her.
My love of reading started in middle school. At that time, I was completely obsessed with Sweet Valley High, if you know, you know. My mom was not so impressed. She gravitated toward literary fiction, and to her, Sweet Valley High was a little too popcorn. So she made a deal: for every Sweet Valley High book you read, you have to read a classic.
The first classic she handed me was Jane Eyre. I had no idea what I was in for.
I got completely swept away. Jane wasn't glamorous or popular; she was plain, she felt unseen, and middle-school me felt exactly like her. The book just came alive. When I finished it, something had shifted. I realized for the first time that books aren't just a fun way to pass the time; they can transport you to a totally different world or hold up a mirror and make you feel seen. That was the moment I became a reader, and it's all because of my mom.
Now, as a mom myself, watching my kids get lost in a story is one of my favorite things. Every time they connect with a book, I feel like she's right there with me. I'm pretty sure she would have loved nothing more than reading to her grandchildren.
So in her honor, and in anticipation of whatever handmade masterpiece my kids are cooking up for me this year, here are my book picks for Mother's Day, and really for any day you want to curl up with a kid and a good story.
This is a personal list and by no means complete. Motherhood looks different for everyone, and the books that celebrate it should too.
ABCs of Love for Mom by Patricia Hegarty · Ages 0–3
A sweet board book that does double duty: it teaches the alphabet and celebrates moms in the most adorable way. Cozy animal illustrations capture all those everyday moments between parent and child, the snuggles, the silliness, the tenderness. If you're looking for something to tuck into a baby shower gift alongside the onesies, this is it.
My Mama is a Work of Art by Hana Acabado · Ages 4–8
What is art? What is beauty? This gorgeous picture book follows a young boy who discovers that real beauty lives in the story of his tattooed mom. It's a celebration of individuality and self-expression that stands out from the crowd, showing that tattoos are more than just ink; they're a canvas for storytelling. We don't see many picture books centering a tattooed parent, and it handles the subject with so much warmth and joy. A wonderful conversation starter about what makes each of our moms uniquely ours.
Saturday by Oge Mora · Ages 4–8
If you haven't read this one yet, go get it right now. I'll wait. Saturday is the special day a mom and child have been looking forward to all week, and when things start to fall apart, you're reminded of the truest thing: being together is the whole point. The collage illustrations are stunning, and the message hits for both kids and parents.
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita · Ages 3–6
This is a sweet story. When Mommy goes away on a work trip for the week, a little girl misses her deeply. At home, Mama provides comfort and support, keeping things cozy with library trips, movie nights, and snuggles. Together, they even come up with a plan to welcome Mommy home. A heartwarming story about missing someone you love and the comfort of the family that surrounds you. Any child who has ever missed a parent will feel completely seen.
Mama's Panza by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Iliana Galvez · Ages 3–7
This one is just a hug in book form. A little boy loves his mama's panza, her belly, it's soft, it's warm, the perfect place to snuggle and find comfort. But it goes deeper than that. It's also a celebration of a mother's body as a miracle, something to love and honor rather than hide. It's tender and joyful and feels like something we all needed. Also available in Spanish as La panza de mamá.
This book captured so much of what I have felt at various times as a mom. Through stunning watercolor portraits of mothers from around the globe, each paired with lyrical reflections, it captures what it truly feels like to be a mother — the joy, the exhaustion, the sacrifice, the grief, the love that doesn't always have words. If you're looking for something that sees every kind of mother, this is it.
Can You Grow a Striped Banana? by Jill Santopolo, illustrated by Momoko Abe · Ages 2–5
This book is so relatable. Every mom has been asked the impossible, and this charming read-aloud gets that perfectly. It actually started from a real moment when Santopolo's toddler asked for a blue banana for breakfast, and when told the store didn't have one, simply asked her mom to grow one. That feeling of not being able to do the impossible but always finding a way to show your child you love them — this book captures so much of what parenting really is. The mom in the story can't stretch like a giraffe or bathe a brontosaurus, but she always finds a way to show her love. It's funny and rhyming, and the ending just lands.
However you're spending Mother's Day this year, whether you're the one being celebrated or the one doing the celebrating, I hope there's a story in it somewhere.
That's what my mom taught me. 🌸
You can find all of these books and more on our Bookshop list.
Happy reading and Happy Mother's Day!
Kimberly
