Mother’s Day is May 8th. Anna Jarvis came up with the concept of Mother’s Day to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the second Sunday in May would be Mother’s Day. Anna was very upset that Mother’s Day became centered on gifts and not the idea of children honoring their mothers. By the 1940s, Anna disowned the holiday altogether and even actively lobbied the government to have it removed from the calendar. Anna passed away in 1948.
This Mother’s Day, stop in to the Library and check out these books about mothers:
“The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan
In 1949 in San Francisco, four Chinese women are drawn together by the shadow of their past and meet to “say” stories. They call themselves the Joy Luck Club. Forty years later, one of the members dies and her daughter comes to take her place, only to learn of her mother’s lifelong wish, and the tragic way in which it has come true.
“Her Mother’s Hope” by Francine Rivers
Marta always hoped that her daughter would go after her dreams. When Marta’s daughter Hildie starts a family, unexpected and tragic events force her to face her mother’s shortcomings and an ever-widening chasm threatens to separate them forever.
“All Moms” by Sarah Kate Ellis and Kristen Ellis- Henderson
This book celebrates all different kinds of moms. No matter whether your mom is silly, sporty, or crafty, you can celebrate them with this book.
“Love Mama” by Jeanette Bradley
A baby penguin stays home with dad while mom goes on a trip. He misses her very much. He receives a package from her with a heart in it that says, ‘I Love You’, and explains how the package got there. This makes him a little happier until she comes home.
“Chicken Soup for the Mothers Soul”
A comic strip at the beginning of this book depicts a little boy saying to his mom, “I must have two hearts, Mommy, because I love you so much.” These stories open the heart and rekindle the spirits of mothers.
“Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps” by Dave Isay
Two people go into a booth and interview each other about the most important moments in their lives. Between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings and friends, the life of an American mother unfolds.
I hope you check out these books and celebrate with your mother or the mother figure in your life. Happy Mother’s Day to all those moms out there. I want to take a moment and say thank you to my mother for all that she has done to make me the woman I am today.
