We make a big deal out of holidays at our house and Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays! It’s a day to show others how much they mean to you. Plus, there is chocolate! Since Valentine’s Day falls on February 14th, I have gathered up 14 of my family’s favorite Valentine’s Day books to read with your little loves!
VALENTINE’S DAY BOOKS:
1. Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle–
Little Blue Truck’s stories are always so sweet! In this story, Blue makes and delivers Valentine’s to all his friends. Each card is perfect for each animal friend, as the thoughtful little truck made each one special. In turn, Blue’s friends make a fantastic Valentine for their favorite little truck! Preschoolers will love the shiny hearts and the bright pictures in this rhyming story. Be prepared for little ones to want to make some Valentines after reading this one!
2. Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff–
Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is back in this Valentine’s Day story! Mouse makes Valentines for all of his friends. He puts a lot of thought into each one, making sure that it represents what he loves most about each friend. I love that Mouse is highlighting the good in everyone!
3. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean–
Preschoolers love Pete the Cat! He’s a sing-songy, fun-loving cat who learns that Valentine’s Day is day to show your family and friends how much they mean to you! Pete and his friend Callie make cards for everyone (including the librarian!) and enjoy spreading love around. Callie invites Pete to a Valentine’s Day party at her house and he is excited to go until he realizes that he forgot to make a card for his best friend! Oh no! Not to worry, Callie is a true friend and tells Pete that cards aren’t what a makes a good friends, actions are. Pete has always shown that he is a good friend to Callie and that’s all she needs.
4. The Night Before Valentine’s Day by Natasha Wing–
Natasha Wing does a great job writing holiday for preschoolers! Each book is written in rhyme and highlights the fun each holiday brings. In this Valentine’s book, this kids make cards to give their friends at school. They take their cards to school and find their classroom decorated for the holiday. The kids have a fun day getting their faces painted, handing out their cards, and enjoying yummy treats. Then when they think it can’t get any more fun, their principal dressed as Cupid appears in their class to add to all of the joy!
5. Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by N. DiAngelo–
This is a fun lift-the-flap book that will keep preschoolers engaged in the story. George and his friend, the man in the yellow hat, invite a bunch of kids over to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We know what a curious monkey George is and how he always seems to get into trouble! But what trouble could he get into making Valentines?
6. The Littlest Valentine by Brandi Dougherty —
In this sweet story, young Emma wants to help her family, the Valentines, with their gift shop business. Not only is Valentine’s Day Emma’s favorite holiday, but it is a super busy one for her family. She tries blowing up heart shaped balloons to decorate the shop, making cards, and making chocolates, but finds that she is too little to help. It seems that no one needs her help around the shop, but then she discovers a lost puppy. Emma bathes the pup and ties a cute bow around its neck. Then she and grandma and grandpa make special Valentine dog biscuits. Emma and her new pup set up a stand to sell dog treats, and the treats are a hit! Even though she is little, Emma found that she can help too 🙂
7. A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Perfect Valentine by Amy Young–
We love Sparkle and Lucy stories! These books are the perfect mix of funny and sweet. In this story, Lucy makes Valentines for those she cares about, but tells Sparkle not worry because no expects a valentine from a unicorn. Sparkle wants to make Lucy a Valentine to show how much he loves her, but it’s kind of hard to do when you have hooves instead of hands! Sparkle is determined and finds a way to make a Valentine. He is so excited about his Valentine until he sees all of the ones the kids made. Sparkle learns that it isn’t what your Valentine looks like that counts, but how someone feels that really matters.
8. Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli–
This book is a little on the long side, but it is a very sweet story. Mr. Hatch, a lonely and grumpy man, mistakenly gets a Valentine that was meant for someone else. Mr. Hatch thinks it is for him and his whole outlook changes when he believes that someone cares about him. He pays the love forward by helping others. When it is discovered that the Valentine was actually meant for someone else, Mr. Hatch gets really sad, thinking no one likes him. The town comes together to show Mr. Hatch that is loved! It just goes to show how a little kindness can really make someone feel great.
9. Biscuit’s Valentine’s Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli–
In this short story, a little girl and her puppy, Biscuit, are out delivering their homemade Valentines to friends and family. Human friends and dog friends are happy to get Valentines! When Biscuit and the little girl visit Grandparents, Biscuit just can’t resist the yummy treats. Oh Biscuit, what a silly puppy! Unfold the pages for fun surprises throughout the book 🙂
10. Clifford’s First Valentine’s Day by Norman Bridwell–
This puppy Clifford book is adorable. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth make Valentines together, with Clifford helping in his own special way. They take the Valentines to the post office to mail, but poor Clifford gets lost down the mail chute! Everyone begins sifting through the huge carts of letters for the lost pup. Suddenly the mail barks — it’s Clifford! Yay, he’s rescued! Emily Elizabeth is so happy to have her Valentine, Clifford, back safe.
11. Happy Valentine’s Day, Little Critter by Mercer Mayer–
My son is huge Little Critter fan! I think little kids can relate to Little Critter who always tries his hardest, but still messes up sometimes. It’s all part of the learning process that kids go through, but it is great that they can see it mirrored in these stories. In this Valentine’s Day book, Little Critter’s class is celebrating Valentine’s Day. They decorate the classroom and make V alentines. It is the best day! Little Critter makes a special card for his special Valentine. Who could it be? It’s his mommy 🙂
12. Click Clack Moo, I Love You by Doreen Cronin–
Little Duck is excited for Valentine’s Day. She makes valentines for everyone, hangs decorations, and gets the barn ready for the Valentine’s Day party! All of the farm animals (except the cows, who were going to a ball) come to the party. Duck is the DJ and the barn is filled with music, dancing, food, and fun! A young fox hears the noise and follows the decorations to the barn. Curious about the party, the fox goes inside. Suddenly the music and dancing stop. Yikes, there’s a fox! Little Duck gives the fox her last valentine and the fox is excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The fun starts up again and everyone dances until the cows come home. Filled with sparkly pages, cute illustrations, and lots of animals sounds, this book with be a hit with preschoolers!
13. There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Coladro–
The silly old lady is back in another holiday story. This time she is eating a rose, lace, glitter, candy, a jewel, hearts, and a Valentine’s Day card! Why did she swallow all of this stuff??? Well it brought her so much happiness that she smiled and blew a big kiss, and then everything flew out of her mouth. Happy Valentine’s Day from the Old Lady.
14. Minnie’s Valentine by Sheela Sweeney Higgson–
Preschoolers’ favorites Mickey and Minnie are here with a Valentine’s Day book! Mickey needs to come up with a Valentine’s gift for Minnie, but what should he get her? Mysterious Miss M. shows up at the Club House to help Mickey come up with the perfect gift! Help Mickey select the right tools from Toodles to make Minnie’s gift.
I hope you enjoy these Valentine’s Day books! My son and I found them at our library. I hope your library also carries them; ask your librarian for suggestions for other Valentine’s Day books too. I joined Amazon’s Affiliate program to try and help cover the costs of this site. If you buy something through one of my links on Amazon, then sometimes I get a small percentage of the sale (no extra cost to you). Thank you for your support! Happy reading 🙂
Valentine’s Day Crafts:
Lacing Heart: lace some yarn around your heart craft and add some stickers to really customize this craft.
Heart Dog Craft: print off the template, color the hearts, and assemble them to form a dog.
Wooly Sheep: Say “I Wooly Love You” with this cute pom-pom sheep craft!
Fingerprint Heart Craft: make a heart shape design with your little one’s fingerprints and a paper heart stencil.
