Whether the women we celebrate this Mother's Day are business executives, domestic divas, or somewhere between, every mom is a master of multiple roles.
They chase away monsters and cut the crusts off our sandwiches. They imitate farm animals and sing the alphabet until they're hoarse. They teach us how to search for the answers ourselves. Most of all, they hold fast to the potential they see within us.
Children's literature is filled with stories about mother-child relationships. Some are clever, some are silly, and some are classics that make many a tot's bookshelf, like Margaret Wise Brown's precious portrayal of a resourceful mama rabbit's dedication to her footloose little bunny. Plenty are perfect to share with your children this Mother's Day.
One picture book in particular stands out in my home. Every evening, when my daughter and I begin browsing our own treasure of bedtime stories, each of our fingers inevitably tip-toe, dance, and stop on the same title, Robert N. Munsch's Love You Forever.
The story tells of a mother's undying love for her son throughout each stage of his life, punctuated by a song she sings to him from infancy through adulthood. When the mother grows too old to sing and rock her son, he carries on the tradition with his own baby girl.
Perhaps teachers champion the book not only for its merits, but also because they, too, double as advisors, cheerleaders, and instillers of knowledge.
For that reason, juxtaposing National Teacher Day and Mother's Day seems like an ideal way to educate the women who serve as both moms and educators.
Share one of these moving stories of moms with your child:
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book by Karen Katz
I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer
Just Mom and Me Having Tea: A Fun Bible Study for Mothers and Daughters by Mary Murray
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Momma, Will You? by Dori Chaconas
Mother's Day by Anne Rockwell
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman
What Mommies Do Best by Laura Numeroff
What are some of your favorite portrayals of moms in children's literature? Share them below!