Mother’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring and celebrating mothers, mother figures, and the influence of mothers in society. It is a time to show appreciation and gratitude for all the love, care, and support that mothers provide especially from their children, and what better way than through Mother’s Day Books.
One meaningful way to celebrate Mother’s Day in the classroom is through read-alouds. Read-alouds involve a teacher reading a book aloud to students, providing an opportunity to engage with rich language and vocabulary, make connections, explore new ideas, and spark meaningful discussions. For all of you mom readers out there, I also took advantage of every holiday including Mother’s Day to read themed books to my own kids.
When selecting Mother’s Day books for your read-aloud, consider choosing books that celebrate the bond between mothers and children, highlight the diverse experiences of families, and emphasize the values of love, kindness, and gratitude. I did check out all of these books from my local library and read them myself so that I would be able to choose only the best books for teachers (or even moms) to read with their students or even their own kids. Book choice for me as a mom or a teacher was often specifically planned to teach my own kids or my students a lesson without me having to lecture them about it.
Mother’s Day Books
Here are some wonderful titles to consider for your Mother’s Day read-alouds:
”How to Raise A Mom” by Jean Reagan-Such a sweet story from the kids point of view about the best ways for kids to take care of their moms. My favorite part of the book is where the kids are trying to get their mom to eat her vegetables. They recommend some humorous strategies some of which sound familiar to parents!
”In Our Mother’s House” by Patricia Polacco introduces us to a wonderful family with two moms, three adopted kids and a whole lot of love and happy memories. Only Patricia Polacco knows how to make her readers see the importance of acceptance and that all types of love lead to happiness.
”My Mom has X-Ray Vision (Watch Out! Moms Know Everything!” by Angela McAllister explains to kids why they can’t get away with anything around their moms, because they have must have super powers! The illustrations by Alex T. Smith are so entertaining to every adult as well as to kids.
”What Not To Get Your Mom on Mother’s Day” by Martha Simpson is a such a fun read for kids because it shows kids how everything that they think is great (and also gross) in the world, might be a great gift for them but not so much for their mothers on Mother’s Day. This book would also be a great segment into a writing piece about what gifts students could but should not get their moms themselves for Mother’s Day.
”The Best Mother” by C.M. Surrisi is such an enjoyable story about a girl named Maxine who gets upset with her mom so she goes on a search to find a new mother. She learns quickly to appreciate the mother that she has which most of us have to wait until our kids are adults for that to happen!
”Poems in the Attic” by Nikki Grimes. I loved this book because it talks about the curiosity that girls often have about their mothers when they were kids. My older daughter used to ask me tons of questions about my childhood. She seemed to love it when she learned that I had done and enjoyed the same things that she does especially making my grandmother’s Crazy Chocolate Cake.
As you engage in Mother’s Day read-alouds with your students, encourage discussions about the themes of love, family, and appreciation. Consider asking questions that promote empathy, reflection, and gratitude towards the important maternal figures in your students’ lives.
Remember, Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and honor the incredible mothers and mother figures who play a significant role in shaping our lives. Through read-alouds, we can come together to explore and appreciate the diversity of experiences and relationships that make the world a more loving and compassionate place. These Mother’s Day books do just that!
Enjoy your Mother’s Day, and may your celebrations be filled with love, joy, and appreciation for the mothers in your lives!
