A mother’s love in picture books
Mothers with young children are always looking for a new bedtime story. This Mother’s Day, give the gift of picture books that celebrate the motherchild bond. Here are a few we’ve selected that might pique your interest:
‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’
by Hoda Kotb and illustrated by Suzie Mason HarperCollins, 32 pages, $18.99 Ages 4-8
When Hoda Kotb adopted a baby girl, Haley Joy, in February 2017, her legion of fans celebrated right along with her. The NBC “Today” show co-host now has poured her love for her baby girl into a new children’s book, “I’ve Loved You Since Forever.” Kelly Clarkson even turned the book’s title into a sweet love song. In the book, Kotb writes: “In the universe, there was you and there was me, waiting for the day our stars would meet … .” With sweet illustrations by Suzie Mason, the book addresses the subject of adoption subtly and shares a universal message love between a parent and child.
‘Mommy’s Khimar’
By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Ebony Glenn Salaam Reads, 32 pages, $17.99 Ages 4-8
A young African-American Muslim girl plays dress-up in her mother’s khimar (or headscarf ) in “Mommy’s Khimar,” a colorful debut story from author and illustrator Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Ebony Glenn. This picture book celebrates the black Muslim community and the love among mothers, daughters and grandmothers. “When I wear my Mommy’s khimar, I shine like the sun,” Thompkins-Bigelow writes. This special book is also a great way to teach children of all religions and backgrounds about the black Muslim community.
‘I Have Little Seedling’
By Cari Meister and illustrated by Jenni Desmond Simon & Schuster, 14 pages, $7.99
If you’re looking for the first book to read to your newborn, this is it. “I Have a Little Seedling” is part of the New Books for Newborns series and is really a lullaby in text set to dreamy illustrations. As the story goes, seedlings need rain, sunshine and TLC to grow, just like a newborn.
‘Dino Duckling’
By Alison Murray Little, Brown, 32 pages, $17.99
This is new take on the classic, “The Ugly Duckling,” in which a loving mother duck teaches her babies, including one that hatches as a dinosaur, to learn how to swim, fish and love each other and their differences. It’s a fun, whimsical storytime read for moms to share with their young ones.