Mother's Day is coming up and there is no shortage of new board and picture books to share with young readers leading up to the holiday. Across this selection, the maternal figures featured illustrate the special bond between a mother and child. Enjoy these titles to celebrate moms of all kinds on Mother's Day and throughout the year.

 My Mama Is a Work of Art by Hana Acabado. illus. by author. Running Pr. ISBN 9780762483990. 
PreS-Gr 3–A poignant and uplifting exploration of the stories behind tattoos, skillfully narrated by a young boy. The book delicately addresses the varied reaction to tattoos in public, portraying both enthusiasm and curious stares, while imparting a valuable lesson about treating everyone with respect, regardless of appearance. VERDICT A wonderful addition to any library, as it fosters understanding and celebrates the uniqueness that makes each individual a work of art.

The Mommies on the Bus by Hannah Eliot. illus. by Airin O’Callaghan. S. & S./Little Simon. ISBN 9781665948159. 
PreS-Gr 1–Fans of public transportation and singing will be pleased with this board book. The text puts a new spin on the popular nursery rhyme “The Wheels on the Bus,” this time centering the familiar routines of mothers and children on a city bus. VERDICT For a bouncy twist on an old classic, this bus book is just the ticket.

Call Your Mother by Tracy Gold. illus. by Vivian Mineker. Familius. ISBN 9781641709040. 
PreS-Gr 2–A peek into the life of a mother and daughter as the child goes from infant to adult, and then begins the cycle of motherhood over again. Gold visits key events from childhood to adulthood, always with the refrain, “Call your mother.” VERDICT A beautiful tribute to mothers and daughters of all ages; recommended for early childhood libraries and book selections for Mother’s Day.

Do Mommies Ever Sleep? by Kim Howard. ­illus. by Karen Obuhanych. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316669665. 
PreS-Gr 3–Simple rhymes bring to life the completely sleepless day-to-day of a mother in a humorous way. From drinking cold coffee to growling tummies and gassy behinds, this book laments all the reasons why mommies probably are not sleeping from the point of view of a child. VERDICT This fantastic story for families, tired mothers, and curious children is a great addition to any school or personal library.

[Read: Eight Picture Books That Celebrate the Diversity of Motherhood]

Counting on Mom. illus. by Valentina Jaskina. Odd Dot. ISBN 9781250903884. 
Baby-Toddler–A fun counting book involving moms of all species. Each spread features colorful, detailed illustrations of animal moms, including dogs, squirrels, and birds loving their babies. VERDICT A perfect book to help with counting and learning the names of different animal species, as well as the many ways moms love and care for their babies.

I Really Like Mom by Su-an Lee. illus. by So-ra Kim. tr. from Korean by Paige Morris. Abrams. ISBN 9781419768248. 
PreS-Gr 1–Poised to be a new favorite bedtime read, this book is a tribute to moms—animal and human, alike. Rhythmic and repetitive text invites reader participation as the story leads to a gentle close with a parent and child sharing a bedtime book in a spread with the last instance of the phrase repeated throughout the book: “I really like Mom.” VERDICT Recommended for both school and home settings, this book may also inspire classroom activities to honor mothers.

Mother’s Day, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg. illus. by Emanuel Wiemans. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 9780593387276. 
K-Gr 3–The tradition to celebrate Mother’s Day recognizes moms around the world in this poetic ode to motherhood. VERDICT Clever and ideal for engaging children as they explore concepts of independence, resourcefulness, preparation, and planning, while tenderly celebrating expressions of maternal love and bonding through positive interactions with the family matriarch.

God Bless My Mommy by Samantha Sweeney. illus. by Sebastien Braun. Tiger Tales. ISBN 9781664350991. 
Baby-Toddler–For collections that already offer books with religious themes, here, a small bear offers a prayer of thanks for his loving mother. Throughout the day and in several different ways, the young bear feels the care of his mother and takes a moment to thank God for her presence and guidance in his life. VERDICT Loving and prayerful for those serving this market.

How to Catch a Mamasaurus by Alice Walstead. illus. by Andy Elkerton. Sourcebooks/Wonderland. ISBN 9781728274300. 
PreS-Gr 2–Perfect for Mother’s Day, the newest title in the popular “How to Catch” series features a group of kids trying to catch a Mamasaurus. On each page, the kids describe what a Mamasaurus means to them as they build traps and make special treats and crafts, while showing all the jobs a mother does for a family. VERDICT A good fit for readers celebrating moms and the maternal figures in their lives.