Celebrate the holiday of love as a family by enjoying one of these heartfelt Valentine’s Day-themed books with your little ones!
“My Fuzzy Valentine Deluxe Edition” by Naomi Kleinberg
Ages: Baby-3. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Elmo and find out which of his Sesame Street friends sent him a beautiful Valentine’s Day card. Full of super-fuzzy, fun-to-touch pages, little ones will love leafing through the pages visiting with Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Baby Bear, Bert and Ernie.
“Who Loves Boo?” by Salina Yoon
Ages: Baby-3. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Boo the cat! “Who Loves Boo?”’ is a guessing game in board book form. Search for Boo’s heart among heartfelt gifts and find something unexpected instead. Each page offers a hint of the heart, but it isn’t until the last page that readers will see the valentine given to Boo by his loving friends.
“Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer
Ages: Baby-3. This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family: Love! Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this book, many different families are shown in happy activities, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this book demonstrates that what’s most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share.
“I Love You, Little Pookie” by Sandra Boynton
Ages: 2-4. This is a sweet and simple board book that offers a declaration of unwavering love from Mom to her wonderful child. It’s an affectionate and heartfelt celebration for Valentine’s Day and every day. Read along as Pookie’s Mom shares that the best way to say, “I love you” is simply to say it.
“The Itsy Bitsy Sweetheart” by Jeffrey Burton
Ages: 2-4. This book is an adorable Valentine’s Day twist on the popular nursery rhyme, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider!” The itsy bitsy sweetheart spreads holiday cheer as she makes Valentine’s Day cards for her family and friends! Little ones will love this sweet and catchy read-along.
“Love” by Stacy McAnulty
Ages: 2-4. What is love? Can you only express it in fancy meals, greeting cards and heart-shaped chocolates? Kids will find love everywhere in this delightful book. It can be found in everyday moments such as baking cookies with grandma, notes from Mom in your lunchbox or a family singing together on a car trip. And, this book proves it isn’t always what you expect!
“If My Love Were a Fire Truck: A Daddy’s Love Song” by Luke Reynolds
Ages: 3-7. The bond between a father and his son is as powerful as a rocket ship blasting into space, a giant whale splashing across the ocean, and booming, colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky. Celebrating that one-of-a-kind relationship between Dad and his favorite little guy, this book is a rhyming love song from fathers to sons.
“What is Given from the Heart” by Patricia C. McKissack
Ages: 4-8. It’s been a rough couple of months for James Otis and his mama. But his mama always says as long as they have their health and strength, they’re blessed. One Sunday before Valentine’s Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service — the Temple’s have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple’s “love box” and decides that giving from the heart is what matters most.
“My Heart” by Corinna Luyken
Ages: 4-8. This picture book is about caring for your own heart and learning to live with kindness and empathy. “Some days your heart is a puddle or a fence to keep the world out. But some days it is wide open to the love that surrounds you.” With lyrical text, this book empowers readers to listen within, love and learn about self-acceptance.
“Sealed with a Kiss” by Beth Ferry
Ages: 4-8. What’s a seal to do when she’s new to the zoo? Make new friends, of course! But when the other animals aren’t so friendly, a wise sparrow inspires them to surprise Seal with a special treat. Full of heart and humor, this story of friendship and forgiveness is full of giggles and fun — and perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day.
