It is no secret that I am a lover of children’s books. I also love love, so it only makes sense that I share a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day books to read and give to your little ones this year!
Over here in the Capel home, we are starting a new tradition of giving a new book for Valentine’s Day instead of the classic candy and stuffed animal option. Our sugar-obsessed toddler definitely does not need anymore chocolate in his life and his room is already overflowing with lots of stuffed animal friends.
Candy is eaten, stuffed animals are played with and tossed in the basket, but books, those just keep giving. Hudson’s book shelves can always use more company, we will never reach full-capacity when it comes to books, so it really is the perfect way to say “I love you…let’s read together.”
There are SO many cute books, specifically designed for Valentine’s Day, these are just my 10 favorite! I put some classic ones that you probably have already seen on the shelves of Target in their Valentine’s Day book display, but I also put some that more intentionally share about God’s love.
I have no problem with fun and cute books about the more cultural elements of giving cards and chocolates, but I always like balancing out the collection with more meaningful books that point little ones to larger truths, like the great care and love of God. This list is designed specifically for baby though preschool-aged little ones!
- Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! By Laura Numeroff
For our fall collection of books, we checked out, It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! at the library and that quickly became Hudson’s favorite book. “EEK! It’s a scary pumpkin!” became the line Lance and I would constantly say to get Hudson excited. When I saw this Valentine’s Day version at Target, I quickly snatched it, knowing it would make the perfect gift for Hudson. I love that it is a board book. I love the illustrations and how each page is dedicated to something lovely about each of Mouse’s friends. This will definitely be a hit for Hudson, and I have a feeling this will become the new favorite that is read again and again and again.
This is another great classic Valentine’s Day book, also involving a mouse, actually involving mice! I love this book because it feels like there is more of a substance to it as the story helps teach little ones the beauty in collaboration and working together to make something even bigger and better.
- Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger!: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Becky Friedman
This book is a win-win: Daniel Tiger + flaps. Two things my toddler absolutely loves. I always love books that he can interact with. This book has flaps he can pull to reveal how the Daniel Tiger characters show their love for each other. And like I said, it is Daniel Tiger, so it automatically is a hit.
- Love from the Very Hungry Catepillar by Eric Carle
We are big fans of Eric Carle, so this book needed to make the list! Unlike most of his books, this one does not have much of a storyline. However, I like it for the beautiful images that are familiar in the eyes of my hungry caterpillar-obsessed toddler. The book contains tons of cute phrases, like “You are the cherry on my cake” and “The apple of my eye.” With these beautiful images and short lines, this is a great one for babies and toddlers.
- Llama, Llama, I Love You by Anna Dew
Hudson loves the Lllama, Llama books, so this one has also been a hit. Again, not a super intriguing storyline as it is mostly about llama making Valentine’s Day cards and loving his mama llama. Hudson loves it and asks for it every night, so naturally it had to make the list!
- The Berenstain Bears Love One Another by Mike Berenstain
I have always loved the Berenstain Bear books, but especially love them now as a lot of them point little readers to the love of God. Typically, the books are too wordy and long for my toddler, but this board book is short and sweet. It is the perfect Valentine book that teaches about true love (not chocolate and cards), but God’s love.
- God Gave Us Love by Lisa T. Bergren
I love the God Gave Us… series of books. This is the perfect book choice to give for Valentine’s Day that will help point your little one to the bigger picture of this holiday all about love. It shows different types of love and explains how we are ultimately showing His love everytime we show love to the people in our lives. This is a book that is great for the holiday, but also can stay on the shelf all year long!
This is a great interactive book with a Valentine’s Day theme that is also educational! Amongst the hearts and red and pink hues, there are letters, counting, and colors. A perfect way to celebrate the day, while also working on early learning skills!
- Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton
Okay, so over the course of becoming a mom, I have grown to have a slight obsession for everything Sandra Boynton. Her books provide entertainment for both Hudson and myself. I am always blown away with the silliness, creativity, and thoughtfulness that is packed within just a few pages of a board book. One of these days, I am going to create a post with all of my very favorite Boynton books, but for now let’s talk about Snuggle Puppy! This is a sweet book for Valentine’s Day, but also a great one to keep in your night time story rotation all year long! It is a fun one to sing and the last page of course ends with a kiss!
- The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
To me, the sign of a really excellent children’s book is one where the adult can also connect and be moved by the story. This book is one of those books. It is a beautiful picture of marriage and a wife that still desires to make this little holiday a special day for her husband Mr. Bear. Nothing says I love you quite like your husband’s favorite bowl of honey mixed with only the best dried up beetles. Right? I also love this book because even in Mrs. Bear’s best efforts, things don’t go quite as planned, and for this reason, it really strikes a cord. They might be bears, but this story sure paints a lovely and genuine depiction of marriage.
There you go! 10 lovely books that would make a great Valentine’s Day gift for your kiddos and would all be excellent additions to your at-home library. If you don’t feel like buying more books, take a visit to your library and see if they have any of these books or other Valentine/love books. I always check out a bunch of holiday books to keep at our house for a few weeks and then return them! Then I know the ones Hudson really enjoyed and can buy those for our permanent collection.
Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day Book in your family? Let me know below!
This Mama Needs Grace 