18 Picture Books For Valentine's Day
Our family's book list for Valentine's
Valentine's Day is one of our favorite holidays, and last year I set out specifically to explore all the Valentine's Day books at our library. I found quite a few good ones, and I wanted to share them here!
Most of these books are about adventures and mishaps with making and delivering valentines. All the books about kids making valentines are cute, but I like that I also was able to find a couple books about married couples doing something special for each other on Valentine's Day.
I did try to find a book about the history of Valentine's Day/ Saint Valentine, but I couldn't find one I liked! Perhaps I'll update this post next year if I find more books that fill in that gap, but for now, hopefully you can find some of the books on this list.
Llama Llama, I Love You by Anna Dewdney - This is part of the classic Llama Llama Red Pajama series. It is very short and sweet, so perfect for the younger set!
Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood - This one was very reminiscent of old comics to me (think Snoopy, from Charlie Brown). Cat does not like Valentine's Day, and he does not like that pesky dog next door - except maybe the dog is trying to be friends? Really simple and cute.
Valentine Surprise by Corrinne Demas - This is a story about a little girl who tries to make her mother a Valentine's card, even though none of her attempts at cutting out a heart turn out right. This one would be especially cute for the younger grades!
Franklin's Valentines by Paulette Bourgeois - Related to the old Franklin TV series, this book is like an episode of the show. Franklin loses all his friend's valentines, but then learns that his friends love him even when he can't do anything for them.
The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll - Two mice cannot get along to make a valentine for their teacher - until they realize that their weaknesses may be complimented by the other's strengths if they can work together. I liked the illustrations in this one, and for a bonus, you may get a cute valentine card idea!
Happy Valentine's Day Curious George! by H. A. Rey - Simple picture book about Curious George's Valentine's Day party! Of course George gets in some mischief, as usual. Short and cute!
Little Bear's Valentine by Else Holmelund Minarik - Little Bear books are classics, and in this one, Little Bear has a secret admirer, and travels around to give valentines to all his friends - but he can't figure out who delivered the secret valentine (hint: it was Mama Bear). Really sweet story!
Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores by Barbara Samuels - This one is not one I would typically like, because it involves a little girl being sneaky and snooping in her sister's drawers, and a brief mention of kids thinking the young girl has a boyfriend (I don't encourage my kids to have "boyfriends"/"girlfriends" until they are near adulthood at least). But somehow this quirky little story just worked for me! It is about two sisters who bicker, but in the end they don't forget each other on Valentine's Day.
Ruby Valentine Saves The Day by Laurie B. Friedman - Ruby plans a party on Valentine's Day, but it snows and no one can make it up the mountain - so she brings the party to town square instead! Really cute book with vibrant illustrations,
Ruby Valentine And The Sweet Surprise by Laurie B. Friedman - Ruby turns up with a surprise - a new kitten, Sweetie Pie! But her pet bird, Lovebird, is feeling neglected. The pets try to one-up each other in making a valentine surprise for Ruby, but in the end they find out she can love them both. Pretty cute!
Little Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle - Little blue truck makes unique valentines for all his friends, but then gets a little sad when he realizes Valentine's Day is over and he didn't get any cards. But his friends didn't forget him after all! Cute, and the illustrations are so colorful!
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting - Mrs Bear makes a plan to surprise Mr. Bear on Valentine's Day, even though it falls in the middle of winter when they are both hibernating! Her plans go awry, but Mr. Bear didn't forget about Valentine's Day either.
Snowy Valentine by David Peterson - Jasper travels all over the woods trying to figure out what to get his wife Lily for Valentine's Day - but in the end, he stumbles upon a special gift because of his love for her. Very cute.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Paul Yalowitz - Mr. Hatch, who live s rather colorless life, receives a valentine saying "Somebody Loves You" - he feels so energized by that thought that he reaches out to all his neighbors and does nice things for them. But then he finds out the valentine was actually for someone else...but his neighbors make sure he knows that it's no mistake that somebody loves him. This was a sweet story!
Turkey's Valentine Surprise by Lee Harper - Turkey really wants to surprise his friends with secret valentines, but they somehow always know the cards are from him! This is a really cute and quirky book - my kids really enjoyed it!
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Hoffe Numeroff - This book does NOT follow the "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" format, but all the characters from that series make an appearance as Mouse makes them all a valentine - then they surprise him with cookies at the end!
Click Clack Moo, I Love You! by Doreen Conan - My kids love the Click Clack Moo books, and this one was really cute as the farm animals through a Valentine's party in the barn.
Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace - This is an unconventional Valentine's story, about animal friends trying to convince Groundhog to not be scared of shadows and stay awake for Valentine's Day. Really cute illustrations!
Do you have any favorite Valentine's Day books that I missed? I know there were a couple I wanted to check out that my library didn't have, so there may be a part two next year!
Happy Valentine's Day (early), friends!
(This post was originally published on my personal blog in 2022.)