Little Mist

Little Mist

by Angela McAllister

Summary: Little Mist, a young snow leopard, is filled with wonder when his mother introduces him to the world for the first time.

This magnificently illustrated story is touching, especially the last few pages. A parent may choose to read this with his/her child and discuss how they feel the same way as the snow leopard mother.

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

Ruby in Her Own Time 

by Jonathan Emmett

Summary: Ruby, the last of Mother Duck's and Father Duck's eggs to hatch, is slower to develop than her four siblings, until the day that she flies further and higher than any of them.

This is a sweet story about self-perception. I liked that the parents are concerned for Ruby, but also have faith in her. This is a great story to read to a child who is behind his/her peers, or to classmates who may tease such a child.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2 

Waiting for the Magic
by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: When Papa goes away for a little while, his family tries to cope with the separation by adopting four dogs and a cat.          

This chapter book will be most enjoyed by advance primary school readers. It may be enjoyed by older elementary school students, especially those who love cats and dogs.

Interest Level: grade k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

One Starry Night 

by Lauren Thompson

Summary: As all sorts of animals watch over their young, Mary and Joseph watch over their baby boy, Jesus, in Bethlehem.

This is a wonderful bedtime story, especially during the Christmas season and for celebrating a mother’s love for her offspring. The illustrations of animal and human characters are fantastic; they have pointed features and are heavily outlined in black. Though not a tradition prayer, this rhyming text ends with “amen.”

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

A Christmas Spider's Miracle 

by Trinka Hakes Noble

Summary: A poor peasant woman who has no money for gifts or a special meal for her children gets help from a kindly mother spider on Christmas.

This is a heart-warming old Ukrainian tale. The traditionally beautiful paintings compliment the text. The story is somewhat lengthy. I recommend that this book be read one-on-one to a child or independently by an advanced reader.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 5

Are You Awake?

by Sophie Blackall

Summary: Persistent young Edward has many questions for his sleepy mother, many of which are answered, "Because it's night time."

This is a humorous story about a child with a case of the “whys.” The parent in the story is very patient. I would have told the child to go to sleep! This repetitive story is told in picture book format, but it is appropriate for beginning readers.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

The Three Billy Goats Fluff

by Rachael Mortimer

Summary: When Mr. Troll threatens to eat the three billy goats Fluff for being too noisy while going over his bridge, Mother Goat comes up with a plan.

I love this book! In this fractured fairytale, the traditionally-portrayed bad character, the troll, is the focus. I liked the goat mother who is strong and diplomatic.

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

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

Leap Back Home to Me

by Lauren Thompson

Summary: A little frog makes increasingly bold leaps out into the world, and then comes back to his mother after each excursion.

This is a sweet mother-child story. The rhythm of the text makes the book great for sharing with very young children at bedtime.

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

Doodleday

by Ross Collins

Summary: Despite his mother's warning, young Harvey draws on Doodleday. But when his drawings come to life in frightening ways, only his mother can help.

This is an entertaining book. It is a unique tale with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly elements.

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

The Sunflower Sword

by Mark Sperring

In a land marked by endless fighting between knights and dragons, a mother gives her eager little boy a sunflower rather than the sword he requests, and when he wields it against a real dragon, new understanding begins.

Children may find the boy’s dilemma amusing. I enjoyed the ending that changes the tone from comical to sweet.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

My Mom Has X-ray Vision

by Angela McAllister

Matthew believes his mother has x-ray vision because she always knows what he's doing. So one day he decides to test his theory. What will he find out about his mother having super powers?

This is a comical story. The reader could make this a very interactive book simply by repeating, “How did she know that?”
Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

One More Hug for Madison

One More Hug for Madison

 by Caroline Jayne Church

Summary: Madison the mouse keeps asking her patient mother for just one more thing before she goes to sleep.

This is a very cute story with an ending that surprised me. This book is great for discussing why parents should not be woken up at night for “just one more thing!”

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

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

Topsy-Turvy Town

Topsy-Turvy Town

by Luc Melanson

Summary: Imagining a town where it rains broccoli, police officers dance while on duty, and people juggle wildcats before bedtime, a young boy is disregarded by everyone in his family, except his understanding mother.

This is a great silly book that celebrates the power of imagination.

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

Last Song

Last Song: A Poem

 by James Guthrie

Summary: A squirrel family spends the day together--waking, playing, and nestling down to sleep under the eye of a watchful parent. Based on an old Scottish poem.

This book is wonderful for babies because it has very little text and vibrant illustrations. It is also appropriate to read to preschool age children before bed.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

All the Seasons of the Year

by Deborah Lee Rose

Summary: Describes in rhymed text how a mother cat's love for her kitten will last through the seasons of a lifetime.

This is a sweet story that is appropriate for bedtime and discussing the seasons of the year with young children.

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

Librarianjk recommends Who Loves the Little Lamb?

Who Loves the Little Lamb?

by Lezlie Evans

Rhyming text reveals that, although baby animals are not always perfect, their mothers love them and help them through difficult moments.

This is a very cute book. It’s repetitive nature is ideal for asking young children prediction question. It is wonderful for discussing accidents are okay, and that animal and human mother’s love their children no matter what.

Interest Level: ages birth-2, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2