This year we requested a number of Valentine’s Day children’s books from our library. There were a few books I didn’t end up including on this list because the stories focused on fighting or being upset someone liked them. Instead, I wanted to feature books about love and the activities surrounding Valentine’s Day (parties, making cards, etc). I will continue to add books to this list over time that both my toddler and preschooler love and make me read over and over and over.
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LOVE from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Perfect for the youngest readers, LOVE has only a few words per page describing how wonderful the person being read to is. The caterpillar is featured throughout the book.
A teacher instructs students to make a list of things they love. Pippa the porcupine isn’t interested because she’s lonely and the Valentine’s Day celebrations at school are bumming her out. But then she finds someone’s love list with her name on it along with many things she likes too. Pippa makes a plan to solve the mystery and discover her new best friend.
Snailentine’s Day is a holiday to celebrate the love you feel for your favorite snail. Escargot the snail is going to a party to exchange cards. Escargot gives the reader advice on how to pick the best snail for you as well as dancing tips. When he shows up at the party the host is a vole, not a snail! The vole asks the snail to dance and be her Valentine.
A girl is so excited for Valentine’s Day. She goes all out preparing for the holiday and then sleeps through the whole day. Ruby is disappointed but hands out cards and gifts anyway and apologizes for the lateness but no one seems to mind. Now she realizes it’s great to say you care any day of the year.
Younger children will love this board book from the popular series. Little Blue Truck delivers Valentine’s Day cards to all the animals and hopes to get some in return. At the end of the day he’s sad because he didn’t get any cards. Luckily, his friends surprise Little Blue Truck with a large valentine back at his home.
A husband bunny can’t think of a great Valentine’s Day gift for his wife. He goes to see what other neighbors are giving as gifts but nothing is the right gift. By trekking all over he actually made a huge heart shape in the snow that his wife sees.
Emma Valentine is the smallest one in her family. They own a gift shop and she wants to help but is too small to do a lot of things. Then she finds a stray dog which inspires her to make dog treats as her contribution to the store.
Love Day is the day to say “I love you” to all the special people in your life. Daniel Tiger makes personalized heart cards for his friends at school. He then tries to figure out who gave him an anonymous card.
My kids are really into the If You Give A Mouse A Cookie books and this one is no exception. Mouse makes a valentine for each of his friends and in the end, they bring him cookies. It’s a very short book.
We love these books because I am a singer and I can make reading them out loud silly and fun. To the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” each day features something related to Valentine’s Day such as hugs, glitter, etc.
A boy writes valentines to everyone in his life starting each card with “if you’ll be my valentine . . . ” and then personalizing it. For example, to his cat he’ll give scratches and a kiss on the nose.
It has rained hearts which means it must be getting close to Valentine’s Day. A girl makes cards with the hearts she caught outside. She personalizes each card and mails them.
Great for young children, this book features how parents will love their kids forever.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George!
Kids go crazy for lift-the-flap books. In this one, George has a Valentine’s Day party during which they decorate, frost heart cookies, and make cards.
Another series we’ve enjoyed throughout the years. In this book, the farm animals prepare for a Valentine’s Day party. A fox wants to join and is not welcome at first.
It’s Valentine’s Day and Porcupine keeps poking all the other animals with his quills. They have a town hall meeting to discuss the porcupine problem. At the meeting each animal finds its love match.
Angelina and the Valentine’s Day Surprise
Angelina has baked cookies and made cards for her friends and family. Each card the reader pulls up out of the envelope to read (this book is not meant for toddlers who would ruin the envelopes). Everyone also gives Angelina a Valentine’s Day card.
A number of different kinds of dinosaurs celebrate the holiday by doing traditional activities. The dinosaurs work hard on making handmade cards and treats. Dinosaurs around town buy floral bouquets, sell chocolates, and then students attend a Valentine’s Day dance.
The Night Before Valentine’s Day
We love all the books in this series that follow the rhythming pattern of “The Night Before Christmas”. In the book, children make cards and dream of candy hearts. There’s a classroom Valentine’s Day party and the principal, dressed as Cupid, brings them a class pet.
This book mentions Groundhog’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter. Moose is planning on throwing a Valentine’s Day party and wants everyone to attend. Unfortunately, Groundhog will be in his hole if he sees his shadow. The book discusses the different activities you can do with shadows.
Arthur has a secret admirer and he tries to figure out who it is.
Fancy Nancy does everything in her life flamboyantly including Valentine’s Day. She makes fancy hearts and then investigates who left her a fancy valentine.
Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine
In usual Amelia Bedelia fashion, the book is full of Amelia not understanding common sayings. She makes a lot of Valentine’s Day cards, learns about Cupid, and attends a class Valentine’s Day party.
In class, students draw names for who they will make a Valentine’s Day card for. Pinkalicious makes an amazing valentine but the one she receives isn’t as grand. She realizes it is the thought and effort that goes into making the card that counts.
I hope your kids enjoy reading these Valentine’s Day books!
P.S. Need a fun and kid-friendly Valentine’s Day treat? Check out this recipe for a heart-shaped fruit pizza!
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