A Mothers’ Day Book List
Mother's Day is an opportunity to celebrate mothers and motherly figures who have had a profound impact on our lives. Words cannot capture the full impact mothers have on us, but one thing is true: their love propels us to be greater versions of ourselves.
In my life, I have had a mother as well as countless teachers, principals, neighbors, relatives, professors, and community members who have loved me into becoming the man, husband, father, educator, and entrepreneur I am today. I witness the same nurturing spirit in my wife as she cares for our sons, her students, and countless other young individuals seeking someone to listen to and support them on their dream journey.
At the Young Dreamers Bookstore, we send our deepest well wishes to all the mothers who have tirelessly poured inspiration, wisdom, and love into the children and young adults in our community and around the world. Thank you, and I hope you have a Mother's Day filled with love and big dreams!
Below is a collection of books that capture the essence of who mothers are and the impact they have on our lives.
So begins this loving picture book about a mama who wonders who her child will grow up to be. Will her little one be curious like Grandpa and adventurous like Auntie Amina? Compassionate like Amy and joyful like cousin Curlena? Moving from family members to the wider community, she muses about which attributes her child will possess. A perfect gift for a baby shower, birthday, or graduation. Who Will You Be? features gorgeous artwork and gentle words that celebrate childhood and is an ode to the power of our village--and a reminder that every child is uniquely wonderful.
Age Range: 3-6 years old
by Rhiannon Giddens (Author), Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Illustrator)
In a companion to Build a House, Rhiannon Giddens—winner of multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize and cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops—gives wing to a moving tale of grace and transcendence, with acclaimed artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu.
At a sparrow’s urging, a young girl feels a mysterious trembling in her arms, a lightness in her feet, a longing to be free. Her mother tells her that her Granny Liza experienced the same, as did many of their people before her. Perhaps it’s time, Mama says, to slip the bonds of earth and join the journey started long ago. To hold each other tight and rise. Drawing on lyrics from the song “We Could Fly” by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, which in turn draw on a heritage of African folklore, this incantatory dialogue between a mother and daughter paired with startlingly beautiful illustrations celebrates love, resilience, and the spiritual power of the“old-time ways”—tradition and shared cultural memory—to sustain and uplift
In Your Hands by Carole Boston Weatherford is a thoughtful and comforting book. Years ago, my wife and I read this book to our children. I remember afterward, we were both consumed with emotion because the author miraculously captured our collective feelings as parents of Black boys.
The author takes the reader on a journey of what it feels like to love, care, and educationally invest in a Black son. All of aforementioned is done so he can maximize his God-given potential. Although she articulates her vision for her son, she realizes that only God can protect him when he leaves her. The author’s prayer to God is that her son will be protected, forgiven for his mistakes, and that he’ll grow up to be a man.
The welcoming illustrations by Brian Pinkney allow the reader the opportunity to enter the mind and heart of parents of Black sons. The images capture our dreams of how we want our sons to be treated humanely in schools and society!
For Black parents, this book offers you an opportunity to realize the commonality of your hopes and fears for your Black son. This book also serves as a tool to talk to your son about the racist treatment of Black men and boys in American society.
For white parents, this book offers important insights on how it feels to be a parent of Black sons. This book offers you the chance to understand the depth of our prayers for our sons.
This book is a must read book to add to your child's library.
Age Range: 4-8 years old.
Mama's Sleeping Scarf
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Author), Joelle Avelino (Illustrator)
The first children's book from the best-selling author of We Should All Be Feminists and Americanah—a tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf, and the adventures she shares with it and her whole family.
Chino loves the scarf that her mama ties around her hair at night. But when Mama leaves for the day, what happens to her scarf? Chino takes it on endless adventures! Peeking through the colorful haze of the silky scarf, Chino and her toy bunny can look at her whole family as they go through their routines.
With stunning illustrations from Joelle Avelino, Mama’s Sleeping Scarf is a celebration of family, and a touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love.
This love letter from mother to daughter inspires young girls to follow their dreams, no matter what challenges life may bring. Young readers will be reminded that love and support from home will follow them as they venture out into the world.
Age Range: 4-8 years old.
Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow discusses the power and purpose of names. When the main character’s name is mispronounced by her teacher, she wishes her name was easier to pronounce. Hearing this sentiment, the mother begins to teach her daughter the beauty and intention of names. She does the aforementioned through the powerful tool of song. At the end of the singing journey, the little girl has the confidence and deep understanding of the importance of her name. The next day the girl goes to school and teaches her teacher that her name and all other students names are songs too.
The colorful illustrations capture the seriousness and joy of the topic while also showing a powerful mother-daughter bond. I especially love how the illustrator’s images and author’s words use the community as the classroom to teach the girl about names.
For parents, this is a powerful tool to reinforce the beauty and meaning of your child’s name. For educators, this book shows the impact and internal struggle kids endure when their name is mispronounced.
From the Publisher:
From a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner comes an inspirational and heartwarming tale of a mother and child, and the dreams they build together.
When Ebere's mother puts her to bed at night, she always says, "Remember to dream, Ebere." And dream, Ebere does! Encouraged by her mother to make her dreams as big as possible, Ebere imagines herself as the captain of a rocket ship with the ability to go anywhere in the universe.
A message of hope and possibility, award-winning star of stage and screen Cynthia Erivo's debut picture book is an ode to a child's imagination, a parent's love, and the big dreams shared by both.
