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Storytime Ideas

Mother's Day

Even young preschoolers can relate to stories about mothers, even if they are raised by a grandparent or single father, because they probably have an influential female in their lives. There are several picture books that are popular for a "Mother's Day" storytime. A simple craft activity could involve making Mother's Day cards. Another popular craft are paper flowers. An easy version of a paper flower uses cupcake papers, purchased from the grocery store. Then glue the paper to a pipe cleaner or a green paper "stem," and it looks like a daffodil. You can also make llama stick puppets, to go along with Is Your Mama A Llama? Make a simple llama outline drawing, and glue cotton balls to act as the fur. Cut out the llama and tape to a craft stick.

  • Guardino, Debbie. IS YOUR MAMA A LLAMA?
    A rhyming, humorous text invites audience participation in this story of animal mothers.
  • Flack, Marjorie. ASK MR. BEAR.
    In this classic, a young boy asks several animals their advice as to what he should give his mother for a birthday gift.
  • Scott, Ann H. ON MOTHER'S LAP.
    The audience will rock back and forth along with the characters in this story, which depicts a native Alaskan family.
  • Christelow, Eileen. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED.
    Wait for the surprise ending, where Mother is jumping on the bed!
  • Smalls-Victor, Irene. JONATHAN AND HIS MOMMY.
    Get everyone on their feet to follow along with the characters as they walk, jump, and dance down the street, in this story depicting an African-American mother and son.
  • Mora, Pat. UNO, DOS, TRES - ONE, TWO, THREE.
    A very brief rhyming story, using Spanish and English, about finding a birthday present for Mama.
  • Jill, Murphy. FIVE MINUTES PEACE.
    Mother elephant wants just "five minutes peace" from her three rambunctious offspring.
  • Joosse, Barbara. MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME?
    In this story of an Inuit mother and daughter, the girl will try her mother's patience but not test her love.
  • July 21, 2003