Ramona and Her Mother

Reach for this book when your child feels overlooked by the demands of a busy household or is struggling with the messy transition between being a little kid and a big kid. It is the perfect choice for children who occasionally feel like their parents prefer a sibling or who worry that their mother is too tired to truly see them. Through Ramona's relatable perspective, the story explores the everyday friction of family life, from the stress of a parent's job change to the sting of feeling misunderstood. While this is the fifth book in the series, it stands alone as a poignant look at the mother-daughter bond. Cleary masterfully handles themes of jealousy and the need for independence without being preachy. It is an ideal read for 6 to 10 year olds who are navigating their own big emotions and need to know that even when families argue, the underlying foundation of love remains unshakable. Parents will find it a helpful tool to validate their child's feelings of being caught in the middle.