Perfect preschool Mother’s Day books by Giles Andreae & Emma Dodd

Mother’s Day takes on extra special significance when you’re a new mummy. You might be used to buying your own mother luxury hand creams, or taking her out to lunch, but somehow gifts seem just that little bit more thoughtful when they’re from your cashless baby or toddler. Your partner or nursery carer might whip out the Pritt Stick and create a flower montage or homemade card with smudgy fingerprints and you’ll stash them away in a memory box to fawn over when your innocent preschooler evolves into a stroppy teenager.

If dad does decide to part with some of his hard-earned cash, it’s a good idea to buy mum something that will last well beyond her special day. A book she can read with her little one fits the bill as it’ll endure for years to come. Better yet, story-time serves to strengthen their bond even further.

Giles Andreae’s and Emma Dodd’s I Love My Mummy sums up the special bond between mum and baby perfectly. Told in simple rhyming text, it takes your little one through their day from start to finish, hitting on all those everyday, almost insignificant, moments they share with their mummy.

I like to watch her brush her hair,

And dance round in her underwear.

I love the vibrancy of Emma Dodd’s pictures and the fact they support the text so unambiguously. Toss in the simple, uncomplicated and even witty text and it’s fun to read, and easy for your child to learn through repetition. As the 2010 winner of the Booktrust Early Years Awards, this sweet and charming book has long been regarded as a must-have for the nursery shelf.

Now, in time for Mother’s Day 2015, the duo have come together again and introduced I Love my Granny. Packed with even more witty rhyming anecdotes to make grandmas smile and children giggle, it’s an instant hit and one we’ll be giving to Craig’s mum for never-ending rounds of story-time with her not so insignificant brood of 6 grand children!

She knows a lot more things than me,

But then she’s lived for ages, see?

There’s plenty in both books to make mum, dad, and grandparents snigger too - Giles Andreae knows just how to appeal to us with his cheeky sentimentality. It’s everything a good book should be.

And when it’s time to say goodbye.

My Granny does a little sigh…

And says, although we’ve had such fun

… it’s nice to give me back to Mum.