💐 For families and classrooms

Mothering Sunday books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Mothering Sunday? Sunday 7 March 2027. Mothering Sunday in the UK is the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter. Mother's Day in the US, Canada and Australia is the second Sunday in May.

What is Mothering Sunday?

Mothering Sunday is a day to thank mums and the people who care for us like a mum: grandmas, aunties, carers and other grown-ups.

Who celebrates Mothering Sunday, and books for each

For families and classrooms

Children make cards and small gifts, help with breakfast, and say thank you. Schools often keep it inclusive: any special grown-up can be celebrated, because not every child has a mum at home.

📖 Free guide
Owl Babies
Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
three baby owls wait for their mother to come back
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
A Chair for My Mother
Vera B. Williams
a family saves up for a comfy chair for Mum
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
The Pirate Mums
Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry
a boy with two mums who are pirates
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
My Mum's Growing Down
Laura Dockrill and David Tazzyman
a funny swap of who looks after who
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
Love You Forever
Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw
a mother's love through every stage of growing up
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn
a mother's kiss to hold on to when you're apart
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Mothering Sunday books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

What is the family in the story getting ready for?
Which part of Mothering Sunday would you most like to try, and why?
How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
Is anything in the story like something your family does?
What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Mothering Sunday?

Ways to celebrate Mothering Sunday with children

Make a card for a special grown-up.
Make breakfast together (toast and a picked flower).
Draw 'my favourite things about you'.
Plant seeds in a pot as a gift.

Mothering Sunday picture books at a glance

All the Mothering Sunday books on this page: Owl Babies (Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson), A Chair for My Mother (Vera B. Williams), The Pirate Mums (Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry), My Mum's Growing Down (Laura Dockrill and David Tazzyman), Love You Forever (Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw), The Kissing Hand (Audrey Penn).

Questions parents ask about Mothering Sunday

When is Mothering Sunday?

In the UK it's three weeks before Easter: Sunday 7 March 2027. In the US, Canada and Australia, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May.

How can schools include children without a mum at home?

Call it a day for 'a special grown-up who looks after you' and let children choose who to make their card for.

Related festivals: Father's Day · World Book Day · Easter

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.