Celebrate Mother's Day with great books for kids

The dictionary defines "mother" as one who either gives birth to or cares and protects like a mother. Not all who mother are biological mothers. Sometimes single fathers must play the role of mother, as well as father. We may find a grandmother, aunt or other caring female in the role of mothering a child that is not their direct offspring. There are stepmothers, foster mothers and mothers who've adopted their children.

Successful mothering is no simple task. Mothers must wear lots of different hats while they protect, love, teach and care for their young. Mothers also know the importance of allowing their children the freedom to explore on their own, to make their own choices, both good and bad, while gently nudging their children out of the nest toward independence and self-sufficiency.

There is no job that has greater challenges or greater rewards than that of a mother.

Our children will be off on their own sooner than we think. How we raise them will make all the difference.

Happy Mother's Day!

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

"Heart of Mine: A Story of Adoption" by Dan and Lotta Hojer, illustrated in color by Lotta Hojer, R & S Books, 28 pages

Read aloud: age 3Ð4 and older. Read yourself: age 8 and older.

Once there was a baby girl who grew inside her mommy's tummy. When she was born, her mommy and daddy wanted to take care of her, but they couldn't. They knew they needed to find a new family for her.

Far across the world, there was another mommy and daddy who longed for a child to take care of and love, and they waited to become a family. Thoughts of their child grew, not in the mommy's tummy, but in the mommy and daddy's minds and hearts.

Then at last, the phone call they had waited for arrived. Their little girl had been born in a land far away, and they were to come and get her as quickly as possible.

They cried and laughed and shouted for joy. All the mommy and daddy could think about was their little girl, and they hurried to prepare for her, worried about her, and longed to hold her in their arms and bring her home. Not long thereafter, that's exactly what they did.

Beautiful in every way, this is far more than a story about adoption; it is a powerful story of love.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Douglas County Public Library, 1625 Library Lane, Minden

Library Director: Linda Deacy

Youth Services Librarian: Kathy Echavarria

Choices this week: "Russell the Sheep" by Rob Scotton; "Olivia" by Ian Falconer; "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock" by Eric Kimmel

Books to Buy

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

"Mama's Day" by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Jan Ormerod, Simon & Schuster, 2006, 32 pages, $15.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 2Ð4. Read yourself: age 7.

This delightful book is a love song and celebration of the special bond between mamas and babies. Written in rhyme, Ashman and Ormerod provide a gentle and loving look at the many things mamas do with their babies. From playing games, finding seashells in the sand, teaching baby how to clap, sharing a snack, and soothing baby's tired cries, these and other everyday scenarios are beautifully rendered.

"There are mamas near and distant doing just what mamas do: Loving babies every minute, every day ... like I love you."

"A Mother's Wish" by Kathy-Jo Wargin, illustrated by Irena Roman, HarperCollins, 2006, 32 pages, $15.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older. Read yourself: age 7Ð8.

Young Ella asks her mother if she will always be her mother. Her mother assures her that she will, no matter how old Ella is. Ella then makes a wish on a butterfly that her mother will hold her every day and never go away. Many years later, Ella is old enough to leave home, and she shares her childhood wish with her mother. To Ella's surprise, her mother had made a special wish for her, too.

Outstanding in every way, this book is filled with joy and hope and the abundant love between a mother and daughter.

• Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be e-mailed at kendal@sunlink.net.