8 Children’s Books that Celebrate Moms and All the Work They Do
Image courtesy of @toddlers.who.read
Since the start of the pandemic, I have been working from home while my son is also home. We were lucky to find a nanny for Ishaan soon after schools went virtual, but our new situation has been an adjustment for both Ishaan and me. Prior to the pandemic, I went to the office every day while he went to preschool/daycare. While he gets a lot more Mommy face-to-face time now, sometimes it's hard for him to understand that even though I am home, I wear my Mommy hat at certain times and my lawyer hat at other times.
As a reviewer of children's literature, I come across a lot of books that feature moms in a caretaking role. And while I love the snuggly "Mommy and Me" books, I've also noticed there are far fewer stories that feature moms acting in other capacities. For example, in their professional positions. Below are a few books highlighting the many roles of a mom that I love reading with Ishaan and highly recommend to any parent.
1. Mama's Work Shoes
When Mama puts on her work shoes one day, Perry doesn't recognize them. She hates those click-clack shoes! In the context of a mother returning to work, this book addresses separation anxiety in the sweetest way.
2. My Mom Has Two Jobs
This book highlights a diverse group of moms having a wide range of professions, including teachers, engineers, police officers, lawyers, dentists, pilots, doctors, nurses, and firefighters. Each description starts with "My mom is …" This book will get your child excited about what you do while also learning about career paths.
3. Mighty Mommies and Their Amazing Jobs!
This book is an informative, empowering, and rhyming lesson about women in STEM and service careers. It helps children understand what people do in different jobs by using simple explanations. You'll love that the women are described as being a mommy—for example, "Daniel's Mommy is a doctor."
4. Saturday
Mom has to work all week, but today is Saturday—their special day! But this Saturday, things keep going wrong. Everything they had been looking forward to all week (storytime, salon time, picnic time, puppet show) is ruined. But when the mom starts getting emotional, the daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.
5. Astro Girl
Astrid loves space, and she wants to be an astronaut. While her mama is away, Astrid and her dad have fun acting like astronauts on a space mission. Finally, it's time to go pick up mama. In a surprising and inspiring ending, we find out that Astrid's mama is an astronaut who just returned from space! I love that the father is depicted in a caregiver role and that the mother is depicted in a successful STEM field.
6. Mommy Lawyer
If you're a lawyer mom, this book is a must-have. It tells your kid that you have two jobs—being a mommy and being a lawyer—but reassures them that being a mommy is what you enjoy most. It explains to children what you do while you're at work and encourages them to be proud of you for working hard. It also addresses why you may sometimes have to miss a school event because of work.
7. Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a feminist icon and a working mom role model. This board book biography is perfect for the preschool audience!
8. Zoey and Sassafras (Series – Book 1 of 8)
This series features Zoey and her cat, Sassafras. In each book, they encounter a magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. Luckily, Zoey's mom is a scientist who teaches Zoey different scientific concepts, how to run experiments, and how to keep a science journal. This chapter book series is great for reading aloud or independent reading.
