Finding good storybooks that celebrate motherhood are worth a spot on all shelves, beyond Mother’s Day. We celebrate motherhood each year because mothers are the vessels that pour themselves out in loving care for their children while holding their child’s hand through all of life’s many changes. Mothers are crucial to society, as builders of civilizations and creators of culture, all from their very own homes. When we learn to cherish those quieter moments of bedtime stories, or sitting down together to open a book, we can capture our children’s attention through stories. Stories about adventure, friendship, and bravery to do what’s right is how mothers for centuries have been leading their children from danger and towards the happiness of wisdom. Let’s look at a list of fictional books with fascinating motherly women who played big roles in their children’s lives and those in their care.
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Stories That Celebrate Motherhood
Stories are powerful, and it’s why reading good stories to your children is so important! Here on the blog, I want to equip you with a vast library of resources to help you build up your children and the bonds you share. In this post, we’ll explore a handful of timeless tales that are not only heartwarming but also shape our children’s understanding of motherhood. Whether it’s the protective hug of Marmee in Little Women or the gentle wisdom of Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, these storybook mothers offer more than just care; they echo the unconditional love and care found in real-life parenting. Let’s revisit the books that captured our hearts as children, perhaps even our mother’s and grandparents’ hearts, and shaped our understanding of a mother’s love.
“Little House on the Prairie” (Collection) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Caroline Ingalls, often referred to as “Ma,” is a central character in the “Little House on the Prairie”. Ma played a crucial role as a strong, nurturing mother who helped the Ingalls family navigate the challenges of pioneer life in the American Midwest during the late 19th century. She goes to great lengths to create a warm and comforting home despite the many hardships they face, like severe weather, crop failures, and financial struggles. She is vastly skilled at making do with limited resources, cooking meals from scratch, sewing clothing, or finding creative solutions to problems that arise.
As a mother, she takes the time to instil good things into her children, like honesty, kindness, responsibility, respect, and perseverance in hard work. Ma shares many sweet moments with her children, such as storytelling by the fireplace, baking treats together, and celebrating holidays and special occasions. In this book, Ma exemplifies a mother who works hard to serve and love her family with a smile, and who’s fondly celebrated and remembered by her children.
“The Railway Children” by E. Nesbit
“The Railway Children” is about three children named Roberta (also called Bobbie), Peter, and Phyllis, and their abrupt move to the country after their father has disappeared. Mother sends the children to play outside while she sits in front of a typewriter and writes short stories to hopefully publish in the newspaper to support her family. Though this story is more about the children’s adventures, in the background the mother is a gentle force who carries a great burden for her children. There are some amazing quotes in this book, some rather funny, and some I really like about Mother. Knowing a little about Edith Nesbit’s life puts a lot of perspective when reading this story too.
“Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie
Most know Peter Pan is a story about a boy who doesn’t want to grow up, who lives in Neverland, where mermaids, fairies, Pirates, and the Lost Boys play. However, in J.M. Barrie’s beloved book, there are also strong themes about mothers and children. First, we’re introduced to two contrasting maternal figures: the gentle and nurturing Mrs. Darling, and the fiercely protective Wendy, who takes on a motherly role for the Lost Boys. While Wendy’s care for the Lost Boys is undoubtedly admirable, it’s Mrs. Darling’s warmth and tenderness truly illustrate the essence of motherhood. Though the boys in the story perform how typically children both need and yet don’t want a mother at times, these women exemplify their enduring love and willingness to care for them as mothers despite being unwanted, even to the recognition of the pirates.
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women might not be a children’s book, but the story is great for the whole family! Marmee, also known as Mrs. March, is a central character in Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women.” While her husband serves in the American Civil War, Marmee is a mother of four daughters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Marmee’s love for her daughters is just as strong as her love for others, feeding needy neighbours though she has very little. If her daughters are facing personal challenges, making mistakes, or achieving successes, Marmee is a sure source of love and guidance. Whether it’s Meg’s desire for a traditional family life, Jo’s ambitions as a writer, Beth’s quiet acts of kindness, or Amy’s artistic pursuits, Marmee encourages her daughters to pursue their aspirations.
She’s a wealth of knowledge, not only to her daughters but to the lonely boy next door, Laurie, as well. With Marmee’s emphasis on the importance of honesty, integrity, and perseverance, the young people in her life, as well as all readers, learn to be strong and resilient in the face of adversity.
“Matilda” by Roald Dahl
This book is not only fantastical, filled with levitating magic, but filled to the brim with great quotes (especially about reading) and a strong theme about motherly care. It’s about a little girl with a great aptitude for reading and discovers the power to move things telepathically from the energy of adults who yell at her. Many of Roald Dahl books have very bizarre characters, some hideously egregious and others that you can’t help but read about over and over again. With that, in “Matilda” the story talks about three very different women who care for children.
First, you have Mrs. Wormwood, who unfortunately isn’t much interested in being a mother at all, so much so that she leaves Matilda at home alone to play bingo five times a week! Then you have Miss Trunchbull, the school’s Headmistress, whose name, voice, and presence make everyone want to run away and hide! Then You have Miss Honey, Matilda’s school teacher, a true balm to the story, whose patience and kindness to her students makes even the reader feel quite at home with her. All these women are juxtaposed to one another when it comes to how to care for children. One neglects her children and only wants to watch TV, the other is so strict she abuses them into fearful obedience, and the last nurtures and notices what children in her care need. You’ll surely leave this book wanting more to read from Roald Dahl!
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter’s book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, as Peter’s mother, Mrs. Rabbit, warns him not to go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Peter chooses to forgo her wise warnings and thus experiences the terror of his folly and almost demise. It’s tough watching our kids get into mischief and learning the hard way! I love that Beatrix Potter has stories of a mischievous rabbit, too curious for his own good, to learn (hopefully) from instead! In the world of Peter and his friends, there are plenty of other motherly characters: Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Mrs. Tittlemouse, Mrs. Flopsy Bunny, and Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit to enjoy and learn from. Her tales about animal life in the English countryside perfectly blend amusement and wisdom, making them ideal for teaching children valuable life lessons.
Do you like the world of Peter Rabbit? Then you’ll like these blog posts:
- Easy & Elegant Peter Rabbit Springtime Birthday Party
- Peter Rabbit Party Ideas for Your Little Bunny’s Big Day
“Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey
Blueberries For Sal is book of a mirrored tale of two mothers, one a woman and the other a bear, and their little one’s, all hunting for blueberries. Each mother is set on preparing for winter, the woman to fill her pail with blueberries to can, and the mother bear to get very plump. While the mothers work on the beautiful hillsides, their little one’s are set on eating as many blueberries as their willing tummies will let them. The mothers get a surprise when looking for their little one’s!
“I Love You Like Crazy Cakes” by Rose A. Lewis
This book is no longer being published, but you might be able to find it on a book resale site, or you can watch the read-aloud HERE. “I love you like crazy cakes” is a lighthearted story of a mother adopting a baby girl from China. It is narrated from the mother’s perspective. In this book, the reader goes through each of the exciting moments this adoptive mother experiences as she meets and gets to love her new baby for all those first moments. Many of the quotes in this book take me back to those sweet newborn days, especially with my first baby, and how thrilling it is to get to know your long-awaited baby. It’s a tender tale that any loving mother can find themselves connecting with.
Do you know of other children’s books on adoption or motherhood?
Please share them in the comments below!
“Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch
Though this tale is a little eccentric, the love this mother has for her son comes full circle in the end and it is definitely a tear-jerker! It’s about a mother’s love for her growing boy, so much she sneaks into his room to rock him when he’s asleep, promising him “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be”. This book would make a heartwarming gift for mom on Mother’s Day that will make her both laugh and cry!
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
This sweet book is great for bedtime, to affirm to your children one last time in the day that your love for them runs far and wide. It’s about a parental bunny rabbit answering their baby bunny’s questions about how much they are loved. It has such beautiful illustrations and is not too long of a read. I recommend the small board book version, for little hands to hold. Your kiddo will love the energy and sweetness this little bunny has in the story too!
“Bunny My Honey” By Anita Jeram
This one’s harder to find, and a bonus on the list, but if you liked “Guess how much I love you” and the illustrations, you’ll like “Bunny My Honey”. You can watch the read-aloud HERE. This story is about a mommy rabbit and her baby named Bunny. When Bunny goes exploring he gets lost, but soon his mommy finds him in the woods, and they are reunited again. Bunny has two friends, Little Duckling and Miss Mouse. They sing a little rhyme, “We’re the little Honey’s. A little Honey is sweet. Quack quack, squeak squeak; Thump your great big feet!”. It’s a sweet story!
“Franklin Rides A Bike” By Paulette Bourgeois & Brenda Clark
Franklin books often have his mother appear briefly in the story, but this particular book has his mother more central to the story as she teaches him to ride his bike without training wheels. The story begins when Franklin knows he doesn’t know how to ride his bike without training wheels like his friends. With his mother by his side, he sets out to try! After trying, however, he falls off his bike, gets greatly discouraged, and doesn’t want to keep trying any longer. Later, he and his mother see his friends zooming by on their bikes. With a little encouragement from Franklin’s mother, Franklin is ready to try again! It’s a sweet story of personal triumph and the bond between mother and child.
“The Berenstain Bears and the Mama’s Day Surprise” by Jan and Mike Berenstain
This book is a family favourite to read around Mother’s Day! It’s a story about Papa and the cubs making a Mother’s Day breakfast surprise for their sweet Mama bear! She knows that they will be making her breakfast in bed, so she prepares for their breakfast surprise by buying all the ingredients and anticipating the giant mess they will leave in the kitchen on Mother’s Day. She smiles and sighs to herself, grateful that Mother’s Day is only once a year! Though she knows everything Papa and the cubs are up to, her family does end up surprising her on Mother’s Day! This story pairs well with the “We Love Our Mom!” By Jan and Mike Berenstain, another Mother’s Day story.
Love Never Fails
There are so many stories out there with extraordinary mothers in them, even if only briefly set in the story, but alas I hope these few books I listed here have made you reconsider a few titles and will find diving into them more enjoyable. What did you think of this article? Should we do a part two? Maybe even one about not-so-pleasant mothers too? Please add to the comments any of your favourite stories, short or novel length, so we can all read more inspiring tales about motherhood!
“The love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.” -Marmee (Mrs. March) From “Little Women” By Louisa May Alcott
