We should show love every day, but on Valentine’s Day, we celebrate with gifts and chocolates…yum!
We have added some new releases to our collection that we know you will enjoy. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.
CONSTRUCTION SITE: YOU'RE JUST RIGHT
CONSTRUCTION SITE: YOU’RE JUST RIGHT by Sherri Duskey Rinker is an instant valentine’s favorite.
It’s Valentine’s Day on the construction site and the vehicles are super excited.
As they work, digging and lifting, they encounter valentine’s cards filled with notes of love and appreciation from friends along the way.
Subtle descriptive hints on each card allows children to guess which vehicle left the card.
With bold, colorful, and lovable illustrations by AG Ford, this new book is guaranteed to melt little hearts on Valentine’s Day.
LOVE IN THE LIBRARY
LOVE IN THE LIBRARY by Maggie Tokuda-Hall features a Japanese-American girl named Tama as she navigates life on a concentration camp in Minidoka.
She loves books and works at the library and, like everyone at the camp, her days are sad and gloomy.
Her only glimmer of hope is a boy named George, who frequents the library. In a place of constant sadness, their love blossomed.
Everything about where they lived in Minidoka was constant. The injustice, the loneliness, and to Tama and George, so was their love.
With bold and vibrant illustrations by Yas Imamura, this book proves that no matter the situation, you can create a world of peace through books. It’s inspirational and provides hope for anyone in despair.
WHAT IS LOVE?
WHAT IS LOVE by Mac Barnett is absolutely remarkable.
When a boy asks his grandmother about love, she encourages him to explore the world to find out.
Along his journey, he meets a fisherman, a cat, and many others who tell him what they know is love.
As he grows older and is still bewildered by what he’s learned about love, he returns home to his grandma. At that moment, he realizes that love was at home the whole time.
Everyone’s idea of love may differ, but the feeling in your heart is always the same.
With wondrously beautiful watercolors from Carson Ellis, this magnificent book is an instant favorite. It’s heartfelt and also encourages intergenerational bonding. An absolute must-have.
HOW DO YOU LOVE?
HOW DO YOU LOVE? by Kellie Byrnes is one of the most heartfelt and inclusive books about love.
Love comes in many forms and is shown in different ways.
From subtle gestures like sharing words of encouragement and lending a helping hand, this book portrays five ways we can show love to family, friends, and even pets.
The lovable illustrations by Melina Ontiveros are absolutely remarkable, and children will just love this look.
A total must-have.
BANANAS FOR YOU
BANANAS FOR YOU by Sabrina Moyle is one of our favorite Valentine books.
This beautiful “I love you more” board book is full of lovable puns coupled with vibrant and witty illustrations by Eunice Moyle.
The animals are also super cute.
LOVE CAN COME IN MANY WAYS
LOVE CAN COME IN MANY WAYS by Terri Pierce is such a sweet book that portrays the many ways to show love.
From Eskimo kisses to warm snugly squeezes, love can come in many ways. This book is so heartfelt and features cute adorable animals.
The illustrations by Suzy Ultman are bright and vibrant, and your little ones will love the colorful felt lift-n-flap on each page.
THE BOY WHO LOVED EVERYONE
We have just added THE BOY WHO LOVED EVERYONE by Jane Porter to our Valentine’s favorites.
It’s Dimitri’s first day of school, and he is saying ‘I love you’ to everyone and everything. The students, teachers, the ants, and even the paint brushes. However, no one is saying it back to him.
Feeling discouraged and thinking no one loved him, Dimitri never wanted to return to school. His mother reassured him that people express their love in many ways without saying, “I Love You.” Whether it’s sharing a snack or a kind hug, there are all forms of love.
This book is amazing and is great for teaching children about love and the many ways we express it. Like Dimitri’s mother, we should all encourage our children to have a heart full of love and be accepting of love, even if it’s not reciprocated.
The illustrations by Maisie Paradise Shearring are warm and vibrant and Dimitri and his friends are so adorable. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
FROM ARCHIE TO ZACK
FROM ARCHIE TO ZACK by Vincent X. Kirsch is an inclusive book that celebrates the love between two friends.
Archie and Zack are best friends who do everything together. From camping to musicals, they are simply inseparable. Archie loves Zack and Zack loves Archie, but expressing their love seems difficult even though everyone knew.
They each wrote letters, but neither felt courageous enough to give to each other, so they continued being the best of friends.
We’ve all had a crush growing up and expressing one’s love isn’t always easy, especially when it’s sometimes deemed unconventional, but books like this encourage and motivate boys and girls to be brave.
The bright, vibrant illustrations are absolutely captivating.
L IS FOR LOVE
L IS FOR LOVE, A heartfelt alphabet by Greg Paprocki introduces children to the alphabet of love.
From J for Jewelry and P for poetry, children can learn about ways to incorporate the alphabet into everyday gestures of love and appreciation.
With vibrantly colorful illustrations, this book will delight little loves all year round.
LET'S SAY I LOVE YOU
LET’S SAY I LOVE YOU by Erica Sirotich teaches children the ways to say “I Love You” in 12 different languages.
From Hindi to Hausa and Arabic to American Sign Language, this sweet book portrays how universal love is. Though it’s said in different languages, the gestures are all the same.
With Vibrant illustrations, it’s interactive and a fun way to learn different languages.
SEE, TOUCH, FEEL LOVE
Priddy Books, SEE, TOUCH, FEEL LOVE is always a big hit with interactive books, and this wonderful ode to love is perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Featuring bright hand printed illustrations, glittery stars, and soft cushions, little readers can feel, touch, and see the love in this book.
IN MY HEART
Are we the only ones obsessed with this recent release by Mackenzie Porter?
IN MY HEART is a heartfelt board book that celebrates working mamas and reassures little ones that they are always thinking of them even though they might be apart.
From browsing pictures of your child on your phone to designing at work and reminiscing about the art they drew you, the bond between a mother and child is unbreakable.
Mamas will love this ode to motherhood, because it’s relevant and relatable and can help both parent and child deal with being separated during the day.
We love the bright, vibrant illustrations by Jenny Løvlie. It captures the essence of the entire book.
BE MINE, PORCUPINE
BE MINE, PORCUPINE celebrate love in the unlikeliest of animals. Sometimes you think because of who you are, no one will love you, but there is love for everyone.
This book portrays that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and textures. It’s about friendship and sharing and making everyone feel loved. The vibrant illustrations are absolutely amazing.
ALWAYS MORE LOVE
ALWAYS MORE LOVE by Erin Guendelsberger portrays the magnitude of love.
You can love someone wholeheartedly and still have so much more to offer.
Love comes in every shape and color, and children can interact with the cute red heart in this book.
From hugs and kisses blown and bright, vibrant illustrations by Abdotwin, there is enough love for everyone.
LITTLE LOVE
LITTLE LOVE by Nadine Brun-Cosme is a super cute Valentine’s book that portrays how love transforms.
Little Love is round, but when he gets sweet hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy, he turns into a fluffy cloud.
The warm, pink illustrations by Marion Cocklico are also sweet and adorable.
LOVE COUNTS
LOVE COUNTS 1,2,3 by Jo Parker is a great way to express love and also teach children how to count.
From 10 fingers waving appreciation to health care workers, to 5 minutes writing a letter to someone telling them to feel better, this book promotes kindness and love in many unexpected ways.
We express love to our family and friends, but also our environment by keeping it clean.
The vibrant illustrations by Matt Kaufenberg are remarkable, and children will love this look.
THE LOVE LETTER
THE LOVE LETTER by Anika Aldamuy Denise is one of my favorite winter books and it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day as well.
It features three friends Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel.
Hedgehog finds a love letter that changed his mood because he thinks he has a secret admirer. The letter falls out of his backpack while walking his friend Bunny home. Bunny finds the letter and thinks Hedgehog wrote it to her.
Feeling loved, she is super happy and helpful at home and later brings some acorns to her friend Squirrel. She also drops the love letter and squirrels find it and thinks Bunny loves him. After reading his letter, he is more carefree and has more fun at home.
The next day they all met to talk about the letter and it turns into a letter-brawl since they think it belongs to them. However, it belonged to a lonely little mouse who wrote the letter to the moon.
This book keeps you engaged and encourages children to express their feelings. It teaches that circumstances can create wonderful outcomes of love and friendship. With beautiful, heartwarming illustration by Lucy Ruth Cummins, this is a guaranteed favorite
TINY T.REX AND THE PERFECT VALENTINE
In TINY T. REX AND THE PERFECT VALENTINE by Jonathan Stutzman, it’s Valentine’s and our favorite T-Rex, Tiny is making his friend Pointy a valentine’s card.
He plans on using his favorite color red and glitter, but everything goes wrong and Tiny worries that he won’t have a valentine for his friend.
Little does he know, Pointy doesn’t mind because he is grateful to just have Tiny as a friend.
We love this dynamic duo, and Jay Fleck’s illustrations are always vibrant and bright.
LOVE IS POWERFUL
LOVE IS POWERFUL by Heather Dean Brewer is such an inspiration to read.
Mari and her mom are preparing a sign to join the march happening in the streets below.
She wondered if people would see her sign that read LOVE IS POWERFUL, among all the other signs, but they sure did. As she screamed Love is Powerful, it echoed through the crowd and soon everyone chanted along with her. Her message was powerful and people heard it because everyone was in unison.
This book encourages children to make their voices heard. Even the softest voice can create a huge impact in the world today.
The illustrations by Leuyen Pham are absolutely magnificent.
I AM LOVE
I AM LOVE by Susan Verde is as the title says. It’s all about Love and compassion. What can you do to let love in? Simple acts of tenderness and kindness such as being present without even saying a thing… love is comfort. Love is light and understanding.
This book is positive and universal. The world needs love, and this book teaches children that Love is love. Love is connections, I am love… You are love… We are love. Marvelous illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds always make this powerful duo even more amazing
MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO
Michael Hall’s MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO is full of abstract illustrations of animals made of hearts.
This delightful rhyming book allows children to learn about animals and what they do, yet they can count the hearts that make up the animals.
It’s a great board book for animal and zoo lovers.
LOVE
Matt De La Peña’s LOVE is one of our favorite books. It portrays the meaning of LOVE in the most realistic ways I’ve ever read in a children’s book.
This world is full of evil and cruel people so it is VERY important to teach children about Love. Real and genuine Love for themselves and others.
Teaching them that no matter how people may treat them, they should always have a pure, clean heart full of LOVE and PEACE.
The illustrations by Loren Long are beautiful and magical. It’s definitely a must-read for children of all ages.
LOVE MAKES A FAMILY
LOVE MAKES A FAMILY by Sophie Beer is a book about all the ways you can show love.
Whether it’s baking a special cake, playing outside with mommy and daddy, or lending a helping hand, family is about support and love.
With vibrant illustrations that are captivating and engaging, this lovely book portrays a family in all its forms.
YOU LOVES EWE!
In YOU LOVES EWE by Cece Bell, a donkey meets a yam and a ewe.
The yam introduces himself and the ewe who he loves, but things become confusing for the donkey because he thinks the yam is referring to him.
He doesn’t understand the differences between “ewe” and “you” and it frustrates the yam as he tries to explain.
They may sound the same, but they have different meanings and spellings.
This book is funny with a cute twist and teaches children about homonyms and even mentions a few such as “doe” and “dough” throughout the book.
Cece Bell’s illustrations are always bright, fun and witty and always captivates readers. Definitely our favorite for Valentines Day.
WHAT IS GIVEN FROM THE HEART
What do you give when you think you have nothing to give? You give from your heart!!
WHAT IS GIVEN FROM THE HEART by Patricia C. McKissack features a Mother who has lost her husband, their farm, and everything they owned.
She teaches her young son the importance of STILL giving even though they don’t have a lot and that giving from the heart reaches the heart.
Valentine’s Day is approaching and young Otis is contemplating what to give his friend Sarah, whose family lost everything in a fire.
He and his mother gave with their hearts and unexpectedly received a blessing in the end.
We love this book because it speaks to so many selfless people who are willing to give wholeheartedly.
It is extremely inspirational and full of love and support and absolutely relatable to many families. It just melts your heart. An absolute must-have for both Valentine’s Day and great for Black History Month. Omg, the illustrations by April Harrison are just breathtakingly amazing and heartwarming. We just LOVE it.
THE WORST LOVE BOOK
THE WORST LOVE BOOK IN THE ENTIRE WORLD by Joey Acker is hilarious.
A rock tells another rock that he loves him but says it extremely sarcastically.
It talks about the funny ways love makes you feel, but love also stinks. The rock is not very enthusiastic about love and gives you reasons it’s the worst love book in the entire world.
From gushy poems to beautiful flowers that he seems to be allergic to, the rock realizes that they all show forms of love that he just dislikes, but ultimately finds love.
This book is another hilarious book about love that we enjoyed reading. The illustrations are vibrant and the rock is simply adorable.
CAVEBOY CRUSH
In CAVEBOY CRUSH by Beth Ferry, a cave boy named Meander is outside playing and fishing when notices a beautiful cave girl.
He’s shy at first, but after talking to his parents, he realizes he has a crush and longs to see her again.
He gives her gifts and then crushes them because he thinks that’s what a crush means.
After many crashing, they realize they both don’t know what a crush is, but it didn’t matter because it brought them together.
With bright, witty illustrations by Joseph Kuefler, CAVEBOY CRUSH is hilarious and so much fun to read for Valentine’s Day.
PANDA PANDA LOVE
PANDA PANDA LOVE is a book about unconditional love and the way we can express it.
It features twin pandas who are supportive of each other no matter what. When one panda is excited, so is the other and when one is tired the other carries him.
It’s also a very interactive book that children will love as they learn that love isn’t only about gifts, but it’s about support and friendship.
FULL, FULL, FULL OF LOVE
FULL, FULL, FULL OF LOVE by Trish Cooke, celebrates the bond between a grandma and her grandson.
His mother drops him off at his granny’s house, and he is super excited for dinner. As they prepare dinner, they pass the time doing activities like packing away dishes and feeding the fish.
Soon his parents arrive, and they all have a big family dinner that full of love and laughter.
Some children can be very impatient, especially when they are hungry, so finding a great distraction is always awesome.
The illustrations by Paul Howard are vibrant and captures the essence of this book.
A VALENTINE FOR UNI THE UNICORN
A VALENTINE FOR UNI THE UNICORN is magical. Her horn has a special swirl, and it has the power to heal and mend, but her horn cannot find her a Valentine.
She wants to grant wishes and gave kisses, flowers, candies and chocolate, but she always wants a wish for herself. She just wants you to be her Valentine.
We have read all of Uni’s adventures, and this book is so sweet. Sometimes all we need is a friend.
With beautiful Valentine colors by Brigette Barrager, it’s guaranteed to be a Valentine favorite for unicorn lovers.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOU?
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOU is one of the most important questions to ask yourself. In this beautifully illustrated book by Karen Lechelt, she asks and answers that question.
What do you love about you is about a little girl asking all her stuffed animal friends what they love about themselves? The flamingo loves its legs to kick with, the giraffe loves its neck because it can touch the stars and the beaver loves its teeth because he can change the world.
It’s important to teach self-love and acceptance to children. We are all different, so embracing your uniqueness and accepting people for who they are very important lesson to teach children.
What I loved most is the white cat that somewhat appears incognito on every page.
HUG MACHINE
Scott Campbell’s HUG MACHINE is about a little boy who lovessss giving hugs. He hugs EVERYTHING!! He makes the smallest thing feel big and the biggest thing feels small. And if you’re not huggable, he figures out a way to hug you!
A hug makes everyone happy and can cheer you up when you’re feeling down, especially a hug from a child.
It’s such a cute book with colorful illustrations that every child will love.
HUGGY KISSY
We love ALL of Leslie Patricelli’s books, especially this one. HUGGY KISSY is an adorable book that features a cute little baby and all the lovable gestures he receives from those who love him.
It also features Spanish so it can be great when teaching your little ones a new language.
