Picture books about single mums

Now that Dad is gone, Shingai is really missing him. He acts out for a while until he realises that Mum and he still have each other. A sensitive book about grief.

Connie is donning her new red boots for her first day of school. On the way to school, Connie notices something strange inside her boot. Is it a dinosaur? A shark? A funny, reassuring story about dealing with nerves and worry.

Eva has moved house and doesn’t know anyone. Can she and her dragon make some new friends? A gentle, positive book set during Hanukkah.

Kamara is strong and fast. But negative words from her friends make her doubt herself. Can she find a way to celebrate her strength? This heart-warming picture book celebrates the many ways to be strong, and to be yourself.  

There is so much to enjoy in this charming, inclusive picture book, which beautifully celebrates diversity, acceptance and unconditional love. The bond between Jake and his mother, who happens to be a wheelchair user, is utterly heart-warming. 

Theo’s sunflower has grown right through the tower block! A delightful celebration of nature and community.  

This moving picture book about a family’s visit to the food bank is a sensitive exploration of how it may feel to live below the poverty line. Perfect to share with young children to develop empathy and understanding (or to recognise their own situation).

Rocket loves visiting her local library every week, but on one visit, she discovers it will be closing. It’s time to speak up and see if she and the local community can save their beloved library.

This stunning story about a mother and child starting again is very touching, and could possibly represent the experiences of mothers and children forced to flee abusive homes, or of refugees starting again in a new country. Echeverri’s illustration begins with dark, scribbled pages of rain and darkness, and gradually get lighter as the story progresses and as April’s hope returns. Beautiful and heartwarming.

Jackson wants nothing more than to play with Mama, but she’s busy working in her office. Soon they will have their special time together, but until then, Jackson must try and be patient and find ways to entertain himself. A charming picture book that reinforces the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.