Why just open a card when you could open a book together?
For more Valentine’s Day reading fun, check out these easy readers and chapter books too.
Cranberry Valentine by Wende and Harry Devlin
We were already fans of Mr. Whiskers, Maggie, and Grandma from the Devlin’s Cranberry Thanksgiving when we got this book. In this volume, Mr. Whisker’s is horrified at the idea that he might be receiving valentines from a secret admirer–until he finds he has been sponsored by Grandma’s entire sewing circle, who wanted him to feel appreciated and remembered.
If you’ve reading some of Lois Ehlert’s classics such as Eating the Alphabet, Planting a Rainbow, or Waiting for Wings, you won’t be entirely surprised by the clever collages in this book. Each set of pages features a minimum of words, but a puzzle to solve using picture and letter clues. While young readers might need help figuring out some of these riddles (especially puns, or idioms they haven’t heard of yet), this compact book will let you savor some time together.
Queen of Hearts by Mary Engelbreit
Although Mary Englebreit is best known for her charming illustrations, this story matches the detail, thoughtfulness, and sweetness of the pictures. The back of the book even includes a paper doll of the main character, Ann Estelle, whom Mary Englebreit terms her “alter ego.” Ann Estelle likes everything about Valentine’s day, but especially (special font!) making things. In fact, she gets so busy decorating her valentine mailbox for her classroom that she forgets to make valentines for her friends! But when she gives away all the special decorations she’s added to her own box instead, she finds the day has turned out just right after all.
The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Avid readers might recognize Felicia Bond as the illustrator of the popular “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie” series. This short and sweet story shows the main character, Cornelia Augusta, taking the improbable gift of hearts raining from the sky and turning them into unique and special valentines for each of her friends.
Little Bear’s Valentine by Else Holmelund Minarik
Often, books that are “inspired by” an original author don’t have quite the same zing, but this one very pleasantly follows the style of Else Holmelund Minarik’s Little Bear books. After hiding his valentine card for Mother in the cookie jar, Little Bear finds a surprise valentine of his own in the mailbox. After setting out to deliver each of his valentines to Hen, Duck, and Owl (what about Cat?) he finds they each already have a valentine for him, and can’t be his secret admirer. Fortunately, Little Bear discovers the source of the love when he gets back home.
Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
In this humorous and well-crafted story, the unseen narrator “talks” directly to the cat, who responds with facial expressions, gestures, and signs. By the end, Cat has even managed to resolve the misunderstandings he’s had with his new neighbor, Dog. Delightfully interactive and sweet.
Duck and Hippo: The Secret Valentine by Jonathan London
“The best valentines are friends!” Duck declares at the end of this story, as her secret valentine deliveries have brought everyone together at the park for a pot-luck treat feast. An inspiration for creating your own valentine invitations, perhaps?
Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Jasper Bunny sets out through the snow to find the perfect valentine gift for his wife, Lilly. He fails when he tries to copy what everyone else is making, and even narrowly escapes being a valentine gift in a fox’s soup pot. Fortunately, his adventures happen to produce a big heart of footprints, and when he gets home, he finds that his “journey showed the greatest gift he could give: his love for her.” This sweet, simple story has great food for thought: how we share our own unique gifts with those we love, without trying to be or copy anyone else?
Love is My Favorite Things by Emma Chichester Clark
When Plum the dog’s family tells her she’s a good girl, “I know it means she loves me, and love is my favorite thing.” But when Plum makes a series of mistakes and poor choices and gets called a “bad girl,” she’s not so sure she’s loved anymore. A great discussion starter about unconditional love and what it means to love someone (and to be loved) no matter what.
No one is too big, too small, or even too spiky for “the hug machine” character in this book to offer the love and comfort of a hug. Fueled by pizza and enthusiasm, even the “hug machine” eventually runs out of hugs–but is never too tired to appreciate getting hugged himself. Fans of hugging will appreciate this one too.
Little Miss Hug by Adam Hargreaves
Having grown up with Roger Hargreaves’ Mr. Men and Little Miss books, it isn’t hard to see what’s made the formula so wildly successful. When the original author passed away at the age of 53, his son Adam reluctantly took over the family business and, after several years of learning to draw like his father “started to have a real respect for what he had done.”
Anyway, in this volume Little Miss Hug sees hugs as the cure for everything and everyone, until the aptly named Mr. Grumpy surprises her by refusing to be hugged. She persists, and even ends up getting a “half hug” in return. How can we show people love, even when they seem to refuse it? How can we respect personal space when people don’t want hugs?
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting (illustrated by Jan Brett)
This classic collaboration between well known author Eve Bunting and celebrated illustrator Jan Brett reveals what happens when Mrs. Bear decides to spend Valentine’s day with her husband, rather than hibernating right through it. The illustrations are grayscale, with just two colors added (red and a brownish orange), and don’t include Brett’s signature borders that add extra bits to the story, but the detail is no less stunning.
The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart
Fans of Fancy Nancy will appreciate this character, who decorates her valentines with plenty of pizzazz. When she arrives at school without the cards she’s worked so hard on, she gives her classmates words of encouragement instead, a great gift for any occasion.
Pinkalicious: Pink of Hearts by Victoria Kann
After putting so much effort into how her friend Alison’s card looks, Pinkalicious is hurt when she receives a plain sheet of notebook paper in return. But when the page turns out to contain a heartfelt poem, Pinkalicious can see that there are many ways to put effort into showing love.
A String of Hearts by Laura Malone Elliott
It doesn’t hurt that this story has pictures by Lynn Munsinger, illustrator of the fabulous Tacky the Penguin series and the hilarious It Wasn’t My Fault. In this book, Sam tries to think of the perfect valentine for the girl that everyone else in class is trying to impress–but all he knows is she likes purple. His next door neighbor Mary Ann (who isn’t afraid to be different by liking chartreuse) helps him out, but in the end he discovers he likes lots of things about Mary Ann, because she’s always such a good friend.
The Pink Umbrella by Amelie Callot
This book, originally published in French, provides a different and somewhat more mature take on Valentine’s day friendship than most picture books. In a simple and charming way, it addresses the story of Adele, who loves to have everyone in the neighborhood visit her cafe–except when it rains. Then she hardly even wants to go out. (Seasonal affective disorder, perhaps?) One day a pair of pink boots mysteriously appears in the cafe. Then a matching raincoat, and finally a pink umbrella. Adele ventures out in the rain and is surprised to find she can even enjoy it–just in time to help her friend, Lucas, whose truck has broken down in the rain.
Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
This nonfiction (or historical fiction) book introduces young readers to St. Valentine through a simple story and gorgeous mosaic style illustrations. Fans of this book might want to try some paper mosaic (or perler bead) art themselves, or even download a pop-up template from Robert Sabuda’s own website, such as this pop-up valentine heart card.
CAUTION: Although this story uses a gentle, non-graphic touch, it does address Christian martyrdom. His death is only covered in the afterword.
Saint Valentine by Ann Trompert
This book goes into more detail than the Saint Valentine book above, making it appropriate for those who crave a little more depth. With lovely illustrations and a strong focus on the Christian faith, this book could be a great discussion starter for older readers.
CAUTION: This book covers Christian martyrdom in a more detailed, but still gentle, way and ends with Valentine’s death.