Children's Picture Books about Great Moms and Dads

Sometimes I will be reading a picture book and think Wow, this mom is so great. Yes, I know they are just characters, but I see characters in children’s books as inspiration. Books teach us and help us grow. This book list is full of teh qualities I admire in parents. Check out these Children’s Picture Books About Great Moms and Dads.

CHECK OUT OUR CHILDREN’S BOOKS PINTEREST BOARD!

Check out these Children’s Picture Books About Great Moms and Dads!

This post contains affiliate links. Click on the images to learn more and purchase.

Llama Llama Mad At Mama

When I was brainstorming a list of Children’s Picture Books about Great Moms and Dads I found myself gravitating towards the books where children were depicted as real children, tantrums and all. Of course the super realistic scene in Llama Llama Mad at Mama where Llama Llama throws a fit in the store immediately popped in my head. Hey, we’ve all been there and it stinks (especially when people are staring). What I love about this book is that the Mama places limits, but does so with an understanding heart.

Blueberries for Sal

Blueberries for Sal is one of my all-time favorite books. I love the simplicity of the days of the mother and child. One of the parenting aspects that stands out in this book for me is the freedom for the child to explore nature. Just a mountain, endless blueberry bushes and fresh air. Sounds like childhood perfection.

Ladybug Girl

Now I’m not one to knock parents who love to create crafts and fun projects with their kids (I am one of those parents), but I also believe in kicking kids outside for a great deal of free play (no mama included). That’s why I love the parents in Ladybug Girl. The parents have things they need to get done and the kids are told to go play. End of story. No guilt. Clearly just a normal moment in their family. And so the kids go play and have fun. End scene.

The Kissing Hand

As a parent it’s really hard to watch my kids be nervous about school. Our instinct is often to shield them from any amount of pain or discomfort, but that doesn’t help them cope with reality. This is why I love the book The Kissing Hand. Chester Racoon’s mother validates her son’s emotions while giving him a strategy to cope and then with a calm presence helps him find the confidence to go to school. It’s no wonder this is such a popular first day of school book. We love it so much we used it in our Preschool Book Club!

The Runaway Bunny

Kids want to feel unconditional love while at the same time need to test the boundaries of independence and consistency of that love. With a patient heart (and a sense of humor) the little bunny’s mama makes it clear that no matter what this little bunny does or where he goes his mother will always be there.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Similar to The Runaway Bunny, Mama, Do You Love Me? highlights the deep unconditional love a parent has for her child. Also check out the father version, Papa, Do You Love Me?

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

I reference Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day more times than my kids probably wish I do, but I just love the message that the mother speaks “Someday’s are like that, even in Australia.” Life is not perfect. Everyone has a hard day and that is perfectly okay.

Amazing Grace

I often think about how different the story of Amazing Grace would be if the mother and grandmother had not honored Grace’s feelings, and empowered Grace to try out for the part of Peter Pan even though some students in her class told her she couldn’t be Peter because she was a girl and Black. Would she have lost her confidence? It’s a definitely possibility. Thankfully, Grace is loved by two strong women who said you can be whatever you want to be.

The Country Bunny and the Golden Shoes

Doubted by most, the Country Bunny put her career on hold to raise the most loving, smart siblings and when she felt her home and children were in a good place she put her dream first- to be one of 5 Easter Bunnies. All of the talent this Mama Bunny had used to raise her children helped her earn the title of the Easter Bunny. As a stay at home mom who is about to make my dream of opening a kid’s studio come true this story speaks to me.

Wild Child

I’m sure a lot of you reading this have a “wild child“. The child who marches to her own beat and walks at her own pace. I love that Mother Earth and Father Time give gentle reminders of the jobs Autumn needs to accomplish, but they also know that she must see the consequences of her actions in order to learn.

And Tango Makes Three

There are some people (and penguins) that are just meant to be parents. They have a nurturing spirit and a love within that they feel a deep need to share. I adore this true story about two male penguins who share a love for each other and a love for their adopted baby. And Tango Makes Three is a story not to be missed.

I Love You Just the Way You Are

I Love You Just the Way You Are has become our family motto. The young cub Bartholomew is having quite the grumpy day, but the dad George sticks by him with the ultimate amount of patience until the end of the day when the cub rests his head on his dad’s shoulder and the dad utters those most important words “I love you just the way you are.” My children love this sentence. It’s the ultimate acknowledgment of acceptance.