| site search by freefind | advanced |
Cutest Kids Valentine's Day Books
Cute and funny kids Valentine's Day books are a big part of childhood celebrations of the holiday. And... there are so many great books to choose from! Below is our long list of best kids Valentine's Day books. We LOVE teaching during this time of year, as Valentine's Day can be expanded beyond 'romantic' love to encompass kindness, giving, letter writing, poetry, and so many other great topics. Kids Valentine's Day books are a great springboard for all sorts of academic and a great discussion starter for acting with love and kindness. Below are some of our favorites. :)
Hedgehug:
A Sharp Lesson in Love
Adorable!!! A little hedgehog is super excited for Valentines Day and emerges from his burrow eager to find someone to give his special handmade Valentine to. Unfortunately, for hedgehogs, finding love can be a 'prickly' problem. But, after all hope seems lost...well, we won't spoil the ending, but rest assured it's a happy one. :) This sweet little hedgehog will capture your heart!
interest Level: preschool - 2nd grade
Plant a Kiss
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Little Miss plants a kiss and tends to the little seedling until it's ready to share with the world. This book isn't specifically about Valentine's Day, but its message of love and kindness and giving make it a great fit. The pages have a minimalist style--with few words and simple, whimsical illustrations--but it works and reminds the reader of the joy that comes from spreading love.
interest level: preschool - 3rd grade
Lily's Chocolate Heart
by Kevin Henkes
The spunky little Lilly loves her red-foil-wrapped chocolate hearts and has just one left. She wants to hide it but is having a hard time finding a place that's not too warm, too tight, to dusty.... Finally she finds the "perfect" place--her mouth!
The premise is simple but fans of the Lilly books will definitely want this cute little Valentine's Day book.
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
If You'll Be My Valentine
by Cynthia Rylant
A
little boy creates Valentines for his loved ones---his
pets, family, even his teddy bear--describing how they could spend
time together "if you'll be my valentine." What
a sweet book! The activities that the little boy offers his
loved ones definitely rings true to little kid sensibilities (ie: he tells his dog "If
you'll be my valentine/I'll give you extra treaties./I'll give you
two/and maybe three/and let you lick my feeties.") A great lead in to having kids create their own Valentines to give out.
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
Love, Splat
by Rob Scotton
Splat
has a crush on a fluffy white cat, but so does Spike, who informs
Splat this his Valentine for her is much better than Splat's.
Discouraged, Splat tosses his Valentine into the trash, but the kitten
finds it and surprises Splat with an extra special pink Valentine just
for him. Ahhh,
Splat... what an endearing little guy, so fluffy and
bewildered looking you just wanna reach in the book and give him a hug.
He's so full of personality, you can't help but root for him. "A perfect choice for Valentine story
hours or for Splat fans any time of the year." (Booklist)
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart
by Jane O'Connor
It's Valentine's Day and Fancy Nancy has a mystery on her hands: Who
sent her the extra special Valentine? Join Nancy as she follows the
clues and solves the mystery. Fancy
Nancy is so over-the-top girlie (in an adorable way) that we generally
don't read many books in this series as whole class read
alouds, since we'd lose most of the boys from page one.
However, Valentine's Day is such a
frilly-mushy-pink holiday that a book like this one actually goes over beautifully.
Fancy Nancy is a natural fit for Valentine's Day.
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story
by Lisa Wheeler
Cushion the porcupine feels like the most unloved animal at the petting zoo, so he sets about finding love and friendship through a series of heartfelt serenades. His efforts don't seem to be getting anywhere until he meets Barb, the hedgehog and it's love at first sight!
Adorable
little Cushion the porcupine will win your heart! He's so
clueless in his earnest efforts to find love that you can't help but
root for him (ie: he has no idea that his serenades are actually sorta
insulting and that's why they aren't working.)
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
Slugs in Love
by Susan Pearson
Shy slug Marylou uses her slime trail to write love poems to Herbie the slug, who responds with a rhyme of his own, but a series of unfortunate circumstances prevents her from finding them. At last, she sees it and they meet and fall in love.
This
book took us by surprise. Who'd have thought a book about slugs could
be so adorable and clever! It's not specifically a Valentine's Day kids book, but it's definitely our favorite for the
holiday! Also, this book also touches on letter writing, determination, poetry, and kids even learn a little about slugs!
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
The Day It Rained Hearts
by Felicia Bond
Little Cornelia is caught in quite an unusual downpour and she knows just what to do! Delighted to see that it's raining hearts, she eagerly catches them as they fall, rushes home, and turns each unique heart into a special Valentine for someone she loves. What a sweet little book. Felicia Bond's (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) darling illustrations are a perfect fit for this simple storyline. Read this book aloud before having children make their own Valentine cards!
Interest Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
Henry in Love
by Peter McCarty
Poor Henry. He's in love with his fellow Kindergarten student Chloe, but he's too shy to do anything about it. How can he ever break the ice? This slight book is short on plot twists but HUGE on charm! Peter McCarty's simple characters are truly adorable and, just as in his Hondo and Fabian, the magic in this gentle book lies in watching as "an unexceptional day turns suddenly into an exceptional one." (Booklist) A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year!
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
The Biggest Kiss
by Joanna Walsh
"Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least
supposes." This title looks at love among the animal kingdom, with a
cute little penguin as the guide. It is definitely over-the-top on the
cute factor and probably too young for elementary aged children, but we
adore the rounded, almost plump characters in Abbot's illustrations so
we're squeezing it into this list anyway. If you teach very young ones or want a super cute book for your own children, this is a great choice.
Interest Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
Happy Valentine's Day Dolores
by Barbara Samuels
Dolores is "a picture-book cousin to Junie B. Jones" (Booklist) as she spies her big sister hiding a large heart-shaped box and must take a peek. Inside, she finds a frog necklace, which she decides to try on 'just for a minute.' The fun and silliness begins when the clasp sticks and Dolores must resort to all manner of schemes to prevent her sister from discovering what she has done! "With so much to laugh at, children will enjoy repeat reads-- and so will the grown-ups." (Booklist, starred)
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
by Eileen Spinelli
This touching book tells the story of an
ordinary man who leads a boring life until a candy-filled heart arrives at
his house saying "Somebody loves you." This greatly improves his
outlook, making him more friendly and happy. When he learns the heart
was a mistake and he's sad, his new friends rally around to show him
he's cared for. This sweet story is quite
popular due to how powerfully it teaches what a
difference caring for others can
make. Yalowitz's illustrations are a great fit for this
story. We especially like how the colors slowly change from dull to
bright as Mr. Hatch's whole outlook brightens.
Interest Level: 3rd grade - 5th grade
Olive My Love
by Vivian Walsh
Little Olive is off on another holiday-themed mission, this time to return a large heart she believes was accidentally left behind by its owner. With the help of a spider and a squirrel, she tracks down the 'owner', only to find out that the heart was meant for her after all! We adore Olive the Other Reindeer, so we were eager to get our hands on this sequel...and, well, it's not quite as good as the first title but it's still a lot of fun. Perhaps we had too high of expectations. :) Siebold's illustrations are as quirky and fun as in the original, and little Olive is equally endearing. The book isn't specifically about Valentine's Day, but the message of loving others makes it a good fit nonetheless.
Interest Level: Preschool - 3rd Grade
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
Gilbert
writes unkind Valentine poems for two fellow students and signs their
names to the poems. When his actions are discovered, he's ostracized until he musters the courage to
apologize and make amends with new poems and homemade
cookies. We
like that this book is more than just another cute story about
exchanging Valentines. Children understand his dilemma, and learn from his
example of apologizing and making things right. A great discussion starter!
Interest Level: 2nd grade - 5th grade
The Ballad of Valentine
by Alison Jackson
Told to the folk song "My Darling, Clementine" this title shares the story of a bashful man who sends love messages to his sweetheart but each meets with a mishap and never arrives. At the end, even though she never receives any of his messages, she travels from her home across a canyon to deliver special treat just for him. In their review, School Library Journal said "Without ever being treacly or melodramatic, this fun book is ideal for Valentine's Day programs."
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Bloom: A Little Book
About Finding Love
Bloom isn't like the other pigs. He doesn't want to grunt and play in the mud. Instead, she likes pretty, happy things, and would rather frolick in the flowers all day. When a beautiful butterfly flutters by, Bloom immediately falls in love with the 'flying flower'. Is this the love she's been searching for? "As light and sweet as cotton candy, this saga of a pig in love will win over kids and grownups alike..a beguiling version of love at first sight...A natural for Valentine's Day." (Publisher's Weekly starred review).
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
Mouse's First Valentine
by Lauren Thompson
Little Mouse just can't quite figure out what his big sister is doing with all the frilly, "smooth and rosey", "white and holey" items that she's collecting around the house. Finally, after a bunch of cutting, pasting, and arranging, Minka presents her little brother with a Valentine just for him. This book is so sweet! The premise is as simple as they come, but Erdogan's pink, purple and red illustrations are adorable. The perfect lead-in to a Valentine crafting activity.
Interest Level: Preschool - 2nd Grade
Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
A Valentine's Day kids book about the origins of the holiday. It started in ancient Rome when a doctor named Valentine restored sight to a young, poor blind girl and then sent her a secret message that she didn't receive until after Valentine was executed. Illustrated with Sabuda's exquisite paper mosaics, which are reminiscent of early Christian art. Beautiful! If you'd like the share with children how this holiday came into being, try this book by master illustrator Robert Sabuda. (Note: As Valentine was a physician and a Christian priest, this book has a religious aspect to it.)
Interest Level: 1st grade - 4th grade
Zombie in Love books
Zombie in Love-- Mortimer is looking for love. He's tried gym (but his arm wouldn’t keep falling off), at dancing lessons (but he's a bit too stiff), and even online dating. What's a zombie to do? When all hope seems lost, will Mortimer’s dreams ever come true?
Zombie in Love 2+1-- In this sweet sequel, newly married Mortimer and Mildred are thrilled to be parents, but are worried when their little baby is NOT behaving like a little monster. Kirkus Reviews called it “clever and delightfully gross.”
Interest Level: 1st grade - 3rd grade
Love, Ruby Valentine
by Laurie Friedman
After their tireless preparations for the upcoming Valentine's Day,
little Ruby and her pet cockatoo accidentally sleep in and almost miss the
day entirely! As they rush to deliver their Valentines around town,
they soon realize that they don't have to wait for Valentine's Day to
tell people how much they care! School Libr. Jrnl. suggests that "this story, told in rhyme,
should take a prominent place on Valentine's Day bookshelves."
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Ruby Valentine Saves the Day
by Laurie Friedman
Ruby and her pet cockatoo are back and this time they're planning an elaborate Valentine's Day party. But, when the big day arrives, a snowstorm blows in and none of the guests can make it up the hill to attend the party. Can Ruby come up with a solution? We love the moral of the story--that time spent together is more important than gifts and trinkets--and Cravath's illustrations are truly adorable!
Interest Level: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Kids Valentine's Day Chapter Books
And if you're looking for Valentines-themed chapter books, check out Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine -or- Cam Jansen and the Valentine Baby Mystery -or- any of the other kids Valentines Day chapter books listed below. All very popular and fun to read around during the Valentines 'season'.
Did we miss any good kids valentine's day books?
This list is long, but we'd still love to add to it if we have missed
any great ones. If we don't have your favorite kids Valentine's Day
books, please let us know! Because you can never have enough children's
books about Valentine's Day. :)
Enjoy the books!
Betsy, Cindy, and Virginia (the teachers/sisters behind this website)
If this list was helpful, please press LIKE:
And follow us on Pinterest:
