All moms are working hard all the time, and moms who work outside their homes could sometimes use a hand explaining their jobs to their kids and handling their separation anxiety. These picture books do just that.

When Mama Gets Home by Marisabina Russo
A little girl and her older sister and brother all want their mother's attention when she gets home at the end of the workday. (Also a good story about sibling rivalry and being a single parent of multiple children.)

 

When Mama Goes to Work by Marsha Skyrpuch
This picture book shows a lovely diversity of working moms in a range of cool jobs and kids in daycare.



 

When Mommy and Daddy Go to Work by Joanna Cole
Both parents go to off to their jobs in this book—and both of them also share the responsibilities for daycare pickup and dropoff.
 

 

 

 

Don’t Forget I Love You by Miriam Moss
In the crazy rush of the morning routine, Billy and his mom forget something important as they're hurrying to get to preschool and work.

 

 

Suitcase Surprise for Mommy by Cat Cora
When Zoran's mom has to go away on a business trip, he chooses something to pack in her suitcase for her to keep their connection while she's traveling.

 

 

 

The I Love You Book  by Todd Parr
This book isn't specifically about working mothers, but one of the illustrations shows a mom at a desk in an office with the words, "I love you when I am away"—normalizing the idea that moms work.

 

 

My Working Mom by Peter Glassman
When your mom is a witch, her many witch duties (like brewing potions and riding a broom) keep her very busy.

 

 

 

Mama, Across the Sea by Alex Godard
This story, adapted from the French, is about a little girl living with her grandparents on an island because her mother has had to go to the mainland to find work.

 

 

 

 

---

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!