One of the best things about story time is that it gives us precious moments to connect with our children. However, on my journey to find engaging books to read with my son, it was challenging to find books representing us as a single-parent home. Consistently reading children’s books about families that did not look like ours can sometimes be hurtful for a child. Finding books that allow our children to see other single mom and single parent homes in books helps them learn about themselves and helps them to feel that they have a valid place in the world.
Let's look at a few children's book choices highlighting single mom homes. I've also added a few that will help support your family's spiritual journey.
KATE & NATE ARE RUNNING LATE
Why you'll love it // I'll be the first to admit how hard it is to get out of the house on time in the morning! This book will take you through the rollercoaster emotions of the weekday-morning routine. Plus! It has a hilarious twist at the end that my son, Aidyn, just loved!
Book Summary // Being on time is an art that most families have yet to master. From spilling coffee to misplacing keys, we've all dealt with the many things that can derail our morning routines. This humorous depiction of chaotic mornings is oh, so true. Kate and her two children, Nate, and his older sister, Maddie, have all overslept. How will they EVER make it to school and work on time dressed, fed, and organized?
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD
Why you'll love it // Do you have a child that loves science? It is a beautiful thing. It can also make us a bit anxious to attempt to answer all of our children’s questions about things that are plain indescribable. This book includes amazing science facts and fun illustrations. It ventures through diverse topics that showcase God’s greatness.
Book Summary // Invite children to embark on another journey to discover more about God and His incredible creation. Based on Louie Giglio's popular messages about science and the Bible, How Great Is Our God shows kids the awe-inspiring connection between the natural world and the God who created it.
TINY TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED BIBLE
Why you'll love it // My son looked forward to each story and encouraged me to read three or four a night! Thirty-three short stories give an overview of the Bible, making it perfect for reading right before bedtime.
Book Summary // With The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible your child will discover the incredible story of who God is, who they are, and who they were made to be! Full of fun and engaging illustrations, The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible introduces the much loved characters and ageless wisdom of the Bible, while showing how each story fits together to tell the one GREAT story of God’s incredible love for his children. It’s a story that’s still taking place, and because you are one of His children, it’s your story too!
THANK YOU, JESUS! I HAVE 10 TOES
Why you'll love it // It's a lovely way to model gratitude even for the tiniest babies. This colorful book with large, playful images of beautiful brown babies will immediately capture your child's attention. The book opens with ample, lively text that introduces tots to their body parts and what the body parts can do! The author does a great job reminding us that each piece of us is unique.
Book Summary // I Have 10 Toes is an adorable, engaging religious baby book for toddlers and infants that introduces them to Jesus, while also teaching a few basic body parts, senses, and numbers 1, 2 and 10. This baby prayer book is designed to encourage children to be thankful for God's great creation-them!
THE VERY, VERY, VERY, BAD DAY!
Why you'll love it // Do you find yourself repeatedly reminding your kids that a bad attitude doesn't solve anything? It can be hard to help our children navigate their different attitude changes, especially when we are doing it independently. This flip book allows our children to take accountability for their attitude and its effect on their day.
Book Summary // Danny lives the same day and has the choice to be in a good mood or a bad mood. Through reading the two stories, the reader learns how a good or bad attitude not only affects our own lives, but the lives of those around us.
LIVING WITH MOM AND LIVING WITH DAD
Why you'll love it // If you are co-parenting, you may also be trying to navigate through the different emotions your child has going between two homes. My son is with his dad for the whole summer, and every year, it's hard. This book will help reassure our children that although they live in two homes, each one is full of love and care.
Book Summary // Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever.
I hope this list showed you some books you'll consider adding to your collection. You can even find most of these books at your local library.
Remember, the magic of story time is that it gives us the tools we need to connect with our children. Leaving time for a chat or discussion around the story can lead to beautiful discoveries for the whole family.
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Meet the Author
Quinn Cummings is the creator and host of the Parenting & Bonding with Children's Books podcast and community. As a single mom, she uses her passion for books to pour into her son, Aidyn. She speaks to parents on the importance of reading to our children. Her goal is to increase reading in homes throughout the globe. For resources and tips for creating a better relationship with your children through story, visit aidynsbooks.com.
The Life of a Single Mom® is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with thousands of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served more than one million single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University®, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
