Here is a list of Valentine’s Day Books for kids. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate love in all its forms with your children!
Whether you’re snuggling up for a bedtime story or looking for a fun way to teach your little ones about kindness and connection, these books will make their hearts happy.
From funny to heartwarming, here are some of the best Valentine’s Day books for kids that you’ll want to read together over and over again.
Book #1: Love Is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark
Summary: Plum is an exuberant dog who finds joy in almost everything, but what she loves most of all is love itself. Her enthusiasm often gets her into trouble—whether it’s chewing up cushions, stealing food, or jumping into ponds.
Despite her occasional mischief, her family shows her that their love for her is unshakable. This story conveys the warmth of unconditional love and celebrates imperfections in a delightful and relatable way.
I love this little book and my kids do too! We do not have a dog in our family (that would probably make this book even more special), but they do love dogs! They love reading about little Plum. \
Themes: Unconditional love, forgiveness, family, acceptance.
Book #2: Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Summary: Love Monster is a quirky character living in a world full of cute and cuddly creatures. Feeling out of place and unsure if anyone will accept him, he sets off on a heartfelt journey to find love.
Along the way, he encounters challenges but ultimately discovers that love often comes when you least expect it—and that being yourself is enough to find someone who appreciates you for who you are.
We read this little monster book quite a but in our house around Valentine’s day. My kids think the illustrations are fun and it is a great way to show the monsters are not too scary!
Themes: Self-acceptance, belonging, perseverance, the power of love.
Book #3: I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi
Summary: This delightful rhyming book is filled with cute statements of endless love –whether it’s “till the cows come home” or “till the yaks come back.” (See the rhymes are fun!)
With its vivid, humorous scenarios and endearing illustrations, this book captures the endless nature of love and is a perfect bedtime story for sharing sweet moments with little ones.
This one is more love focused and not just Valentine’s Day themed. I think it makes it perfect to read at Valentine’s time and just add to your little’s library year round!
Themes: Unconditional love, humor, imagination.
Book #4: The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
Summary: Clayton and Desmond are two young mice who want to create the best Valentine for their teacher. Initially, they compete to make their own cards but realize that their efforts are much better when they collaborate.
Through their journey of trial and error, they learn how teamwork and friendship can turn something simple into something extraordinary. This story celebrates creativity and the joy of working together.
In our home we will often read this before we make Valentine’s for our friends and talk about what we do with our friends and why we love them!
Themes: Teamwork, creativity, friendship.
Book #5: Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Summary: One special day, hearts begin falling from the sky, and Cornelia Augusta gathers as many as she can. With thoughtfulness and creativity, she turns these unique hearts into personalized Valentine cards for her friends.
This lovely story is filled with kindness and imagination, inspiring children to think about how they can show love to others.
We talk about the special ways we can show love to those around us and make plans to show that love we talked about. Usually this includes showing love in our family with little acts of service, hugs, and notes.\
Themes: Kindness, creativity, thoughtfulness, friendship.
Book #6: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Summary: Mr. Hatch is a quiet, lonely man who lives a very routine life. One Valentine’s Day, he receives a mysterious box of chocolates with a note that says, “Somebody loves you.”
This unexpected gift sparks a transformation in him as he begins to interact with his neighbors and share his kindness with others.
This is my favorite Valentines’ Day book for kids. Maybe it is because I remember my mom reading it to me growing up. Whatever the reason is, it is one to add to your kid’s Valentine’s Day reading list.
Themes: Kindness, community, connection, transformation through love.
Book #7: Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
Summary: Gilbert the opossum is tasked with writing Valentine’s cards for his classmates. However, he writes mean-spirited notes to two classmates who have upset him.
When they are hurt by his words, Gilbert realizes the importance of kindness and decides to apologize. The story gently teaches children about empathy, the impact of words, and the importance of making amends when you’ve hurt someone.
I love this little book about relationships. It is great for teaching kids about how to be kind to those around them even if others are not very kind to them…including siblings!
Themes: Empathy, friendship, forgiveness, making amends.
Book #8: Love Is by Diane Adams
Summary: In this tender story, a little girl takes care of a duckling, teaching it what love means through her acts of care and affection. As the duckling grows and becomes independent, the girl learns that love also means letting go when the time comes.
This is a deeply emotional story that explores the joys and bittersweet moments of nurturing relationships.
This is great to help your kids learn about a wide array of emotions. The book’s themes are little mature for your littlest learners, but the story, illustrations, and characters is something that they can appreciate.
Themes: Love, nurturing, growing up, letting go.
Book #9: Love from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Summary: Using the beloved Crayons characters, this book explores the many colors of love. Through fun illustrations and simple text, the story shows that love can be creative, messy, warm, or even surprising.
It’s a celebration of the diversity and complexity of love, reminding readers that love is everywhere and can take many forms.
This is part of the “Crayon” series that is super fun. It is great for teaching colors to your kids.
Themes: creativity and emotional expression.
Book #10: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! by Lucille Colandro
Summary: In this humorous and engaging tale, the old lady from the classic rhyme returns for a Valentine-themed adventure. She swallows a rose, followed by other Valentine-related items like lace and candy hearts.
The story builds to a fun and silly climax as all the swallowed items come together to make a big Valentine’s Day surprise.
This is a fun sing-along book that we use in our home. See my favorite sing-along books here! There are lot of versions for different holidays and are always fun.
Themes: Humor, unexpected surprises, holiday fun.
Book #11: I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner
Summary: This playful board book is filled with adorable animal puns that creatively express love and affection. From otters to owls, each page offers a pun-filled declaration of love.
The charming illustrations and gentle humor make it a perfect read for cuddly moments.
Great for Valentine’s Day, great for any day. We love this book. The animals are fun and unique. Even I think it is pretty clever.
Themes: Love, humor, wordplay, affection.
Book #12: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Summary: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare engage in a loving competition to express how much they love each other. Through their playful back-and-forth declarations, they illustrate the immeasurable depth of love.
The book’s tender narrative and beautiful illustrations make it a timeless classic about the enduring bond between parent and child.
This is a great one to read with your child. It is fun a sweet, and just little bit silly.
Themes: Parental love, measuring love, familial bonds.
Wrapping Up Your Valentine’s Reading List
Valentine’s Day is a special time to remind our little ones that love is all around us—in big gestures and small, in family bonds and friendships, and in the stories we share together.
These Valentine’s Day books for kids are more than just sweet tales; they’re opportunities to talk with your kids about kindness, empathy, and the many ways to show love.
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