Butterfly Tree

by Sandra Markle

Summary: When Jilly encounters a mysterious orange cloud on a family outing to Lake Erie, she and her mother go to investigate the phenomenon. Includes facts about monarch butterflies.

Because of the way this book started, I thought the story was going to lead into a bad situation. However, it is a sweet story about a special moment a mother and daughter have together. There is a note at the end of the story about butterfly migration. This book will appeal to curious, young elementary students.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 1

Mama and Me

by Arthur Dorros

Summary: A girl and her mother spend a day together gardening, making cookies, and visiting a neighbor.

I did not find this book particularly exciting, but the illustrations are gorgeous. This story is ideal for reading to young children who speak Spanish or children who are learning to speak Spanish. The text contains Spanish words scattered throughout. Read this book to celebrate this summer’s national reading theme “One World, Many Stories.”

Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

 

Before You Came 

by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: A mother relates how she spent time before her child arrived.

The illustrations in this book are stunning and vibrant. There is flowery material behind almost every object. Additionally, the story is very sweet.         

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

What's Special About Me, Mom?

What's Special About me, Mama?

by Kristina Evans

Summary: In a rhythmically-written conversation between parent and child, Mama lists her son's many good traits--from physical attributes to behavior--and though he dismisses each quality as just a little thing, Mama explains that there is nothing little about love.

This is a heart-warming story that is wonderful to share between a child and a loving caregiver. It is a great bedtime story for discussing important personal traits.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Just Like Mama

Just Like Mama

by Lesléa Newman

Summary: A young girl enumerates all the things that her mother does in inimitable fashion, from scooping her up in a hug in the morning to tucking her in at night.

This is a very sweet book. It is an excellent read for Mother’s Day. When read to students grade 1-3, children could write a sentence or more about other things no one does “just like mama”.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Mother's Day Reads

Click on image for larger print