Mother’s Day is around the corner. How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? If your perfect gift this Mother’s Day is spending time with your child or children, there’s no better way than reading a book together. These 10 sweet and touching multicultural picture books celebrate the special bond between a mom or a grandma and child, and are perfect gifts for moms and grandmas!
1. The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup by Hunter Liguore, illustrated by Vikki Zhang; Yeehoo Press, 2021
A rumination on our ability to recognize our interconnectedness with all people, that in order to eat a single meal, it takes the whole world to make it. There’s something special bubbling in Nanni’s big metal pot. And it smells delicious! What ingredients might be inside? When Nanni lifts the lid on her soup, she reveals the whole world inside: from the seeds that grew into vegetables, to the gardeners who lovingly tended to the plants, to the sun, moon, and stars that shone its light above them. And, of course, no meal is complete without a recipe passed down generations of family, topped and finished with Nanni’s love.
In this tender tale by award-winning author Hunter Liguore and artist Vikki Zhang, readers will marvel at how a community and world can come together to put on an unforgettable meal between a granddaughter and her Nanni. Perfect for fans of Good People Everywhere, Thank You,Omu and Fry Bread.
2. A Grandma’s Magic by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Asa Gilland; Doubleday Books, 2022
A picture book celebrating grandmas and all that makes them “magic”, ideal for fans of How to Babysit a Grandma.
“When a child is born, a grandma is born too. Grandmas aren’t like regular grown-ups. Grandmas are filled with magic.”
In this charming picture book tribute to grandmas, a grandma’s magic bursts through the door as soon as she comes to visit and can be seen in every wonderful thing she does: playing, exploring, baking, gardening, and in all the many ways a grandma and grandchild connect.
Filled with adorable scenes featuring a diversity of grandmas and their grandkids, this is a book that will families can enjoy together. Grandmas will love snuggling with their grandchildren as they share their love and “magic” through cuddles, kisses, and many repeat readings.
3. Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Julie Jarema; Beaming Books, 2022
CLICK CLACK WHIRRRR . . . Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, are making tofu from scratch! When NaiNai goes through each step, from blending soybeans with water to molding curd into shape, Lin gradually becomes impatient. But she soon discovers that making tofu not only takes time, but also takes the whole universe! It takes the seed from soil and sunshine, the cloth from thread and fiber, weight and space, books of words and pictures. And most of all, it takes spending lovely time with her beloved grandmother.
In this charming tale by Helen H. Wu,, readers will marvel at how patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family. Perfect for fans of Fry Bread, Drawn Together and Thank You, Omu.
4. Mama: A World of Mothers and Motherhood by Helene Delforge, illustrated by Quentin Greban; Floris Books, 2022
A unique and emotive celebration of the different facets of motherhood with striking portraits by an award-winning illustrator.
Powerful, emotive, unforgettable – Mama speaks to all mothers in the international language of love.
This is a stunning collection of vivid portraits and intimate reflections on motherhood from around the globe. Mama uniquely portrays the emotions and experiences that unite mothers from different times and diverse cultures.
Twenty-one striking watercolour portraits and lively pencil sketches by acclaimed artist Quentin Greban are paired with Helene Delforge’s lyrical words to create a thought-provoking celebration of motherhood in all its complexity: the satisfaction and the sadness, the frustration and the fun – and, always, the love.
This moving and joyful book is a perfect gift for mamas everywhere.
5. Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo; Roaring Brook Press, 2022
Let’s Do Everything and Nothing is a lush and lyrical picture book from Julia Kuo celebrating special moments―big and small―shared with a child.
Will you climb a hill with me?
Dive into a lake with me?
Reach the starry sky with me,
and watch the clouds parade?
Love can feel as vast as a sky full of breathtaking clouds or as gentle as a sparkling, starlit night. It can scale the tallest mountains and reach the deepest depths of the sea.
Standing side by side with someone you love, the unimaginable can seem achievable.
But not every magical moment is extraordinary. Simply being together is the best journey of all.
6. How to Raise a Mom by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish; Knopf Books, 2017
Celebrate the bond between moms and children with this humorous New York Times-bestseller that invites the kids to do the hard work of raising their mom…if just for a day!
This humorous new addition to the beloved HOW TO . . . books takes readers through a playful, busy day with Mom. Written in an instructional style, two siblings suggest the best ways to raise a happy, healthy mom—from waking her up in the morning to arranging play dates, to making sure she gets enough exercise, some quiet time, and plenty of veggies! Filled with charming role-reversal humor, creative ideas, and lots of love, How to Raise a Mom is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day—or any day!
7. Help Mom Work from Home! by Diana Murray, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld; Little, Brown Books, 2021
“Highly relatable to many pandemic parents, this handy how-to guide tells kids how to add a little pizzazz to Mom’s workday with a little glitter and a four-legged assistant.” —Today
For fans of Boss Baby and How to Babysit a Grandma comes an entertaining read aloud for parents working from home with their little ones.
It isn’t always easy working from home. Luckily, Mom’s little one is a natural boss at keeping her organized, leading meetings, and making calls—or so it seems. But when Mom starts looking frazzled, will her helper know what to do?
Diana Murray’s rollicking rhyme paired with Cori Doerrfeld’s energetic illustrations will bring parent and child together after a long workday at home.
8. You Be Mommy by Karla Clark, illustrated by Zoe Persico; Feiwel & Friends, 2020
A tired mommy lets her daughter have a turn being the parent at bedtime in You Be Mommy, a humorously charming debut picture book from writer Karla Clark and illustrator Zoe Persico.
Mommy’s too tired to be Mommy tonight.
Can you be Mommy and hold me tight?
In this clever, rhyming picture book, a mother tells her child that she’s simply too tired to be Mommy tonight and asks her daughter to take over for her.
An utterly relatable theme told with humor and heart provides a story parents and children will delight in reading together at bedtime.
9. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita; Candlewick, 2022
A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.
For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.
10. My Must-Have Mom by Maudie Smith, illustrated by Jen Khatun; Lantana Publishing, 2022
When Jake’s mom upcycles every last thing in the apartment, Jake begins to worry that the only thing left to change is . . . him!
Jake’s mom is not like most moms. Say there’s a dumpster in the street, most moms will pass right by without a second glance. Not Jake’s mom. “Look at this, Jake!” she’ll shout. “We must have this! We must have this, too! And we simply must have this!” That’s Jake’s mom for you. She’s a must-have mom.
Soon Jake begins to worry that his mom will want to change him too. Should he be this way? Or that way? Or another way altogether?
A heartwarming story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son, and a little boy who learns that he is perfect just the way he is.
Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you enjoy reading these wonderful books that celebrate the special bond and love of moms, grandmas and children.
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