Looking for the best Valentine’s Day books for kids? Valentines Day is a holiday with very few books, but many books are still great for it! Some books may be specifically about Valentine’s Day, others may be more about friendship. Let’s face it, February is the best month to focus on friendship. We all know how February can be. In any case, check out these amazing Valentine’s Day childrens books!
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Zombie in Love
Mortimer is looking for love. And he’s looking everywhere! He’s worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn’t keep falling off). He also tried ballroom dancing lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff). He’s even been on stalemate.com. How’s a guy supposed to find a ghoul? When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer’s dreams be just one horrifying shriek away?
Zombie in Love 2 + 1
Happily married zombie couple Mortimer and Mildred are thrilled to be new parents. But having a baby isn’t what they expected. Sonny hardly ever cries. His teeth are coming in instead of falling out. And worst of all, he’s awake all day and sleeps through the night.Mortimer and Mildred are dead tired, and very worried. Will their precious baby boy ever behave like a good little monster?
A Crankenstein Valentine
Cheesy cards, allergy-inducing bouquets, and heart-shaped everything? YECHHHH! It’s enough to turn anyone into a monster! An ordinary kid becomes Crankenstein on the most lovey-dovey, yuckiest day of the year: Valentine’s Day. Can Crankenstein find a way to turn his sour day sweet? Can a monster find a little love in his heart?
Love Monster
Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
This book was a recommendation one of the Picture Book Brainiacs in the community.
One wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man named Mr. Hatch.
“Somebody loves you,” the note says.
“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch sings as he dusts his living room.
“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch whistles as he does his errands in town.
“But who,” Mr. Hatch wonders, “could that somebody be?”
After some time, Mr. Hatch discovers just who his secret admirer is and, in doing so, enjoys the biggest surprise of his life!
The Invisible String
This was another recommendation! In the story, a mother tells her two children that they’re all connected by an invisible string. “That’s impossible!” the children insist, but still they want to know more: “What kind of string?” The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away?
Love, Ruby Valentine
Deep in the heart of Heartland lives Ruby Valentine and her trusty parrot Lovebird. Ruby’s favorite day of the year is Valentine’s Day—she loves to say “I love you” and make cards and treats to deliver to everyone in her town. But Ruby is so exhausted that she sleeps right through the holiday. Although Ruby is worried that she’ll have to wait a whole year to tell everyone that she loves them, Lovebird convinces her to deliver her treats and messages of love even though they’re a day late. To Ruby’s surprise, no one minds.
The Day It Rained Hearts
One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. She realizes that the hearts are perfect for making valentines. Each heart is special in its own way, and Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to: her animal friends.
I Am Love by Susan Verde
Love means showing kindness, living with gratitude, and taking care of our minds and bodies. Letting our hearts lead the way can help move us closer to a better world.
From the bestselling team that created I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, and I Am One comes a celebration of love in all its forms. Grounded in mindfulness and wellness, I Am Love asks readers to look inward when they feel afraid, angry, hurt, or sad. When a storm is brewing inside us and the skies grow dark, the transformative power of love lets the light back in.
My Heart is Like a Zoo
A book that makes zoo animals using almost only hearts. A really cute book especially for lower elementary where you can count how many hearts are on each page.
Froggy’s First Kiss
He can’t even think straight when she’s around. When Frogilina smiles at him through the monkey bars, Froggy falls smack on his head-bonk! So with Valentine’s Day just a week away, Froggy gets busy making an extra-special valentine. The fifth book about the irrepressible Froggy, this is sure to keep children giggling with delight.
Dragons Love Tacos
Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.
Valentine’s Day Jitters
Everyone’s favorite teacher has the jitters again! Sarah Jane Hartwell is determined to host the perfect Valentine’s Day party to show her students how much she cares. But no matter how hard she tries, nothing goes according to plan. From pin-the-smile-on-the-teacher to crafts with glitter, glue, ribbons, and lace, the class quickly devolves into chaos. Mrs. Hartwell feels like the event is a disaster, but the students have a great time! Not only do they already know that she cares, it turns out they care a lot about her as well.
Ballad of Valentine
Love really is blind in this hilarious and pitch-perfect Valentine’s Day picture book, set to the familiar rhythms of “Clementine,” one of our most beloved American folk songs. Alison Jackson, author of the Thanksgiving favorite I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, cleverly replaces the heroine of “Clementine” with a dreamy girl named Valentine who keeps missing what’s right in front of her nose: the love letters being sent her way by a smitten admirer. Whether carried by pigeon, pony, or freight train, his messages continue to go unnoticed or undelivered. But just when the lovelorn writer loses all hope, something unexpected happens that proves his crush isn’t so one-sided after all. Brought to life by the larky illustrations of Tricia Tusa, this silly and sweet tale is perfect for little valentines as well as grown-up sweethearts.
Duck and Hippo: The Secret Valentine
It’s Valentine’s Day, and something curious is going on. As the birds tweet their love songs, Hippo and his friends Elephant, Pig, and Turtle each receive mysterious, unsigned Valentine’s Day cards. Hippo wonders if his is from Duck; Elephant and Turtle think theirs are from Pig; and Pig dreams that hers is from Turtle. The cards tell the friends to come to the park at four o’clock to meet their valentines―so they’ll find out soon enough! As the clock ticks away, the friends wonder―and dream―about their valentines and make special preparations. But when they arrive…SURPRISE!
This Valentine’s Day might not go exactly the way they expected, but one thing is certain: being friends with Duck and Hippo is always a special treat!
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart
An extra-fancy Valentine’s story that comes with a sheet of stickers to keep kids engaged and entertained!
Almost everything about Valentine’s Day is fancy . . . especially with Fancy Nancy!
Mystery is in the air when Nancy receives a valentine from a secret someone. Join Nancy as she follows the clues to find out who it is—all in her trademark fabulous style, of course. Gorgeous stickers included!
This 8×8 paperback can be enjoyed as a Valentine’s Day gift for young Fancy Nancy fans and by all little ones looking for a fun story with a sticker sheet!
Flora and the Flamingo
In this magical Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend wordlessly explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George
George and his friends celebrate Valentine’s Day with decorating, baking, card making, and some unexpected hilarity along the way! Just how much mischief can a curious little monkey get into when balloons, frosting, and glitter are involved? Fold-out flaps on each scene reveal lively surprises in this humorous celebration of friendship. Sparkly red foil shines on the cover and throughout the book.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Little Critter
From decorating the classroom with hearts to eating cupcakes and making Valentine’s Day mailboxes, Little Critter is having the best day ever. He’s even making an extra-special card for an extra-special valentine!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!
“This title follows Mouse as he makes valentines for all of his friends,” said School Library Journal. “Each valentine is made to represent what he loves most about each of his friends, such as Pig ‘because she’s a good dancer’ and Bunny ‘because she’s the best at hide-and-seek.'”
How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
Parents and children can never have enough ways to say “I love you”–and now, America’s favorite dinosaurs are giving families a funny book, perfect for bedtime, storytime, anytime. Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it’s important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved.
Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Watch out world, here he comes! The Hug Machine! Whether you are big, or small, or square, or long, or spikey, or soft, no one can resist his unbelievable hugs! HUG ACCOMPLISHED!
Love
A beautiful story by Matt De la Pena about what love is and the many ways that people show it.
Love from the Crayons
Love is yellow and orange. Because love is sunny and warm.
Love is purple. Because it’s okay to love outside the lines.
Love, Z
When a small robot named Z discovers a message in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice,” they decide to find out what “love” means. Unable to get an answer from the other robots, they leave to embark on an adventure that will lead them to Beatrice—and back home again, where love was hiding all along.
Nobody Hugs a Cactus
Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world. He sits in a pot in a window that faces the empty desert, which is just how he likes it. So, when all manner of creatures—from tumbleweed to lizard to owl—come to disturb his peace, Hank is annoyed.
He doesn’t like noise, he doesn’t like rowdiness, and definitely does not like hugs. But the thing is, no one is offering one. Who would want to hug a plant so mean? Hank is beginning to discover that being alone can be, well, lonely. So he comes up with a plan to get the one thing he thought he would never need: a hug from a friend.
Pete the Cat Valentine’s Day is Cool
At first, Pete thinks Valentine’s Day isn’t cool…until he realizes all the special cats there are in his life. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool comes complete with a poster, stickers, and twelve punch-out Valentine’s Day cards.
Once Pete the Cat realizes how much fun Valentine’s Day can be, he decides to make valentine cards for his family and friends. But what happens when he realizes he’s forgotten to make a card for a very important cat?
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines…and signs the wrong name on both!
When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose
Our favorite lady is back and hungry for Valentine’s Day treats!That lovely old lady has returned just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now she’s swallowing items to make a very special gift for her valentine!With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this wacky version of the classic song will appeal to young readers as they follow the Old Lady on a wild Valentine’s Day adventure.
XO, XO: A Love Story
And so begins an epic, if initially unrequited, love affair between a graceful gazelle and a clumsy, hapless ox. Romance will never be the same.
Secret Admirer
Love is in the air! Nancy and Bree decide to play matchmaker, but nothing works out as planned. Will love conquer all in the end?
Valentine’s Day Novels
Oh, Valentine, We’ve Lost Our Minds
It’s the week of Valentine’s Day, and A.J.’s class is getting a foreign exchange student! His name is Pierre, and he’s from France. But what happens when Pierre challenges A.J. to a duel (or at least a thumb war) over Andrea? One thing’s for sure: when L-O-V-E comes to Ella Mentry, it spells the weirdest Valentine’s Day story in the history of the world!
Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine
February 14—Valentime’s Day, as Junie B. calls it—is just around the corner. Junie B. can’t wait to see all the valentimes she’ll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out. Only guess what? Finding a secret mystery guy is NOT as easy as it sounds! Can Junie B. solve this mushy, gushy mystery?
Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine
Nate the Great hates mushy stuff. Then he spies a big red paper heart taped to Sludge’s doghouse. Who left Nate’s dog a secret valentine? Nate will solve the case, and then there will be no more mushy stuff. At least that’s what he thinks. . .
Geronimo Stilton # 23 Valentine’s Day Disaster
It was Valentine’s Day in New Mouse City, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate! I had sent valentine cards to all my friends and family members. But when I opened my mailbox on the morning of February 14th, it was empty! Had everyone forgotten about me? Was I destined to spend Valentine’s Day alone in my mousehole, sobbing, with only my pet fish to console me? It was starting to look like a true Valentine’s Day disaster!
Valentine’s Day Poetry Books:
Let’s Celebrate Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day
Vulture Verses: Love Poems for the Unloved
Naturalist and author Diane Lang and artist Lauren Gallegos take children on a guided tour of the animals that do so many good things for us, yet don’t get enough love. Through lively, witty rhymes and warm, friendly illustrations, Vulture Verses helps children appreciate and befriend even the scariest critters.
Nonfiction Valentine’s Day Books:
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Valentine’s Day: With Love, Cards, and Candy
The history of the holiday is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that Valentine’s Day wasn’t always a time for red roses, candy hearts, and frilly greeting cards. Readers learn that some historians trace the feast of the patron saint of love to ancient Greek and Roman festivals that signaled the beginning of spring, which officially began in February in ancient Rome. We discover how, according to one legend, St. Valentine was a priest imprisoned for defying the emperor. Before being put to death, he sent the first “valentine” —a letter that he signed “From your Valentine,” words still used on cards today.
Valentine’s Day
Where did the idea of Valentine’s Day come from? Who was Saint Valentine? What are the symbols for Valentine’s Day? The new editions of ‘Holiday Histories’ describe holidays and special days that are celebrated in the United States. Discover the history behind each holiday or special day. Learn why these days are important.
Best Valentine’s Day Books for Kids
What are some of your favorite Valentines Day childrens books? Is there a must read Valentines Day book that I left out? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it!
