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Want to send a love note to your littlest valentine? Start with a sweet book.
These picture books about love aren't all hearts and flowers and chocolate. They might be a ray of light when they're surrounded by darkness. Or as drippy and sweet as the jelly side a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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No matter what flavor of love you want to share, here are the best Valentine's Day books for kids that are sure to please your little valentine.
Bestselling Valentine's Day books for kids
"You Are My Happy," by Hoda Kotb
Hoda's book inspired by Haley Joy is all about gratitude for the things that make us happy, and most especially our little ones.
"The Love Letter," by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Lucy Ruth Cummins
A love letter found in the forest makes a series of animals discover how it feels to be loved.
“I Need a Hug,” by Aaron Blabey
Porcupine can't catch a break in his search for a hug, until he finds a snake in need of a kiss.
“Love, Z,” by Jessie Sima
Robot Z finds a message in a bottle that sends him on a quest to find out what love means in "Love, Z," a heartwarming new book from Jessie Sima.
"Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug," by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck
It's impossible to give a hug with tiny T. Rex arms, but this big-hearted dino is determined to show he cares.
More Valentine's Day books for kids
"What Is Love?" by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis
A boy asks the age-old question, what is love? His grandmother can't answer, so he ventures out and gets surprising answers from the people he meets along his journey in this thoughtful story reminiscent of classic fables.
"Viking in Love," by Doug Cenko
Stig loves being a Viking — except for that whole ocean thing. When he encounters Ingrid, he'll need to enlist adorable kittens to help conquer the sea. It's a charming, funny love story with adorable kittens. Who could resist?
"When I'm With You," by Pat Zietlow Miller and Eliza Wheeler
Life is better as a pair in this sweet, rhyming ode to friendship that explores how friends can evolve and yet stay constant. "You're the apple on my tree. You're the honey to my bee. It doesn't matter what we do. I am happier with you." (Releases March 1, 2022)
"Nosotros Means Us," by Paloma Valdivia
This bilingual picture book imagines a mother and child shape-shifting through different animal types before discovering who they are meant to be.
"Group Hug," by Jean Reidy and Joey Chou
A slug might not seem like your first choice for a hug, but this sweet gastropod has lots of love to give, and there's room in the group hug for even the prickly and scary among us.
"Kisses, Kisses Head to Toe," by Karen Katz
Babies will love the lift-the-flap format with a mirror in back. Parents will love the excuse to give lots of kisses.
"With Lots of Love," by Jenny Torres Sanchez and André Ceolin
When Rocio moves to a new home, she misses her Abuela and other relatives, but love finds a way to transcend location.
“Hello, Love,” by Taro Miura
How do animals greet each other? You might want to make like a fish with your toddler and touch noses.
"Me & Mama," by Cozbi A. Cabrera
This 2021 Caldecott Honor picture book is an ode to mom from a child's point of view.
"Like the Moon Loves the Sky," by Hena Khan and Saffa Khan
A mother lovingly distills her hopes and dreams for a child's life.
"Porcupine Cupid," by Jason June and Lori Richmond
When Porcupine uses his quills as cupid's arrows, he brings the other animals together — to confront his poking problem.
“Because You're Mine," by Nancy Tillman
The new title from the “Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You” author tells children there's nothing the world can do to stop a parent's love.
"I Love You More Than," by Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans
In this fatherly love story from Taye Diggs, dad might not be with his child as often as he likes, but his love fills the distance between them.
"Caveboy Crush," by Beth Ferry and Joseph Kuefler
When Neander finds someone short, hairy and perfect, he must find a way to impress his crush. Turns out crushing things is strangely ineffective.
"You Loves Ewe!" by Cece Bell
This sweet follow-up to the hilarious "I Yam a Donkey" finds Yam besotted with Ewe and Donkey as confused as you might be by that scenario.
“Love,” by Matt de la Peña and Loren Long
“Love” celebrates love even in times of difficulty and darkness, and made waves for its imagery, including a child huddling under a piano while parents fight. But Matt de la Peña believes we shouldn’t shield children from darkness.
“I’m just so moved by the truth and reality that I felt like the poem was empty until I acknowledged that adversity exists in this world, and as a matter of fact, if we acknowledge the adversity or even elements of darkness, I feel like love can be even more powerful,” de la Peña told TODAY.
“My Heart,” by Corinna Luyken
Corinna Luyken's “My Heart” is a visual poem that acknowledges the times when a child's heart is cloudy or broken or a whisper but ends with a sunny sense of ownership of those feelings. Hunt for hidden hearts on each page.
“This Is Not a Valentine,” by Carter Higgins and Lucy Ruth Cummins
This book swears it’s not a valentine because it trades hearts and flowers for drippy glue, paper planes and the jelly half of a peanut butter sandwich (which makes it that much more special).
"Besos for Baby," by Jen Arena and Blanca Gomez
This rhyming board book will inspire dozens of besos for the baby in your life.
“The Littlest Things Give the Loveliest Hugs,” by Mark Sperring and Maddie Frost
The sweet, rhyming text celebrates all the little creatures (like yours) that are “ever so clever at giving a hug.”
“If Animals Said I Love You,” by Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker
Another sweet board book imagines all the ways animals might say “I love you” like we do.
“A Hug Is for Holding Me,” by Lisa Wheeler and Lisk Feng
A look around the natural world shows all kinds of hugs that feel like home.
“Love, Mama,” by Jeanette Bradley
Saying goodbye to Mama is tough, but a letter makes all the difference in this comforting tale of love that can cross any distance.
“I Love You Already,” by Jory John and Benji Davies
Duck just wants cranky Bear to like him. It may surprise them both that he already does.
“Love Is,” by Diane Adams and Claire Keane
A little girl takes in a duckling and learns what love is — from noisy midnight feedings to sensing when the time is right to fly the nest. It might resonate as much with parents as their kids.
For more stories like this, check out:
- 47 creative gift ideas for your littlest valentine
- Surprise your best friends with these sweet Galentine’s Day gifts
- Show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day with 26 self-care essentials
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