Children's Picture Books for Valentines Day: Love and Friendship Theme

This article includes a list of children's books that you can use for your February story hour. My list includes a title, a very short synopsis, and book cover for each book, so you can easily identify it at at your local library on if necessary, at an online bookseller. The books are grouped into possible themes to help you pull together a sweet library story hour or to help guide your family's reading for this month.

Most of my book recommendations are children's picture books geared to preschool and older-aged children.

♥ Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton is a great bedtime book that deserves mention because you will want to share it with your parents so they can read it to their children. This Sandra Boynton favorite has a strong following and is a perfect Valentine pick to give to a child or grandchild.

◊ Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London (ISBN 0140565701, Puffin) also in a Spanish edition as El Primer Beso de Froggy is one of the best Valentine's Day stories starring a children's series character. Froggy appears in several other entertaining books of firsts. Like the other Jonathan London Froggy books, this one is funny, entertaining, and understands children and the challenges and fears they face. The Froggy series is geared to Kindergarten and up, but with a lively reading, will hold the attention of a preschool crowd, too.

♥ Lilly's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes (ISBN 0060560665) features one of my favorite children's book characters, Lilly. Lilly is a spunky little mouse whose behavior is childlike and funny. If you have time, read my review of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. And then read this book to find out where Lilly hides her last piece of Valentine's Day chocolate.

♥ I Love You Stinkyface by Lisa McCourt (ISBN 0439634695) is a bedtime story about a mother's love for her child, no matter what. In this story, the mother reassures her child that she would love him, even if he were a smelly skunk or a dinosaur. This book will appeal strongly to preschool aged readers whose parents are still the biggest part of their world, but may be a little too sentimental for second graders.

♥ ◊ Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (ISBN 0763641758) is another sentimental story for bedtime sharing or for a preschool story hour. This story about Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare may bring on some misty eyes, so beware if you have a hard time getting through sentimental stories without choking up!

◊ The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Jan Brett (Illustrator of Hedgie books and many favorite Christmas and winter picture books). This picture books tells of Mr. and Mrs. Bear's many acts of love for each other on Valentine's Day.

♥ ◊ Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond (ISBN 0061804320), the author and illustrator of the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series.

♥ A You're Adorable illustrated by Martha Alexander is an adaptation of the song by the same name into an alphabet book format. It's hard to merely read a book like this if you know the song. This book is for younger preschoolers and for parents seeking another book about loving affirmations.

◊ A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats (ISBN 014056442X) is a story about Peter, (from The Snowy Day) who wants to invite a girl named Amy to his birthday party. Though this letter is not about giving a valentine, it has some similarities because Peter is anxious about inviting Amy to his party because she is a girl. This story could invite discussion about a Valentine's exchange if this is something you do in your elementary-aged classroom.

◊ Heartprints by P.K. Halinan is a book I'd consider an honorable mention, that focuses on ways to be kind to one another by leaving "heartprints." This prolific author has written many books about teachers, grandparents, friendship, and love published by Ideals Press. This book would be a good fit among your other Valentine's day selections.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann ♦ Start a Home School Preschool Co-Op ♦ Using Music Education Techniques in Your Toddler/Preschool Storytime ♦ Start a Preschool Storytime Program/ Story Hour at Your Library ♦ Preschool Story Hour Ideas: Using Storytime Themes In a Sample Lesson ♦ Great Read-Aloud Children's Books with Reviews and Sample Lesson Plans ♦ Goldilocks And the Three Bears Preschool Creative Drama Activity ♦ Music Education Techniques to Use in Your Toddler/Preschool Story Hour