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The love you show your children this Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all hearts and flowers and chocolate.
It might be a ray of light when she's surrounded by darkness. Or burned toast made by someone well-intentioned but rushed. Or maybe your love is as drippy and sweet as the jelly side a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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.
1. "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.
2. "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 with a heart as big as Tiny's, he's bound to find a way.
3. "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.
4. "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.
5. “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.
6. “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.
7. “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.
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8. "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.
9. "Love," by Stacy McAnulty and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
It's Valentine's Day, so love must be some fancy chocolate and roses, right? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff's heartfelt illustrations show otherwise.
10. "Besos for Baby," by Jen Arena and Blanca Gomez
This rhyming board book will inspire dozens of besos for the baby in your life.
11. “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.”
12. “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.
13. “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.
14. “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.
15. "You Are My Sweetheart," by Joyce Wan
This board book has sweet words of affirmation for your littlest sweetheart, no candy included.
16. “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.
17. “Robot in Love,” by T.L. McBeth
The little robot protagonist falls for a shiny beautiful stranger, but will he be able to work up the courage to talk to her?
18. “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).
19. “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.
20. “Love, Triangle,” by Marcie Colleen and Bob Shea
Geometry comes to life in this sweet story about friends who get bent out of shape.
21. “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.
22. “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.
23. "Snuggle Puppy!" by Sandra Boynton
Described as a “great big hug” in the form of a book, this story is perfect to share with your kid right before bedtime.
24. “You’re All Kinds of Wonderful,” by Nancy Tillman
Tillman’s latest book celebrates all the “bells and whistles” that set children apart. (Her classic “Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You” is a weeper.)
25. “The I Love You Book,” by Todd Parr
The bright colors appeal to the littlest readers with an appealing message about loving little ones just as they are.
Finding the perfect present can be a challenge, but Shop TODAY's up to the task. No matter who you're looking for, we've got gift guides for everyone on your list, including:
- 20 Valentine's Day gifts kids will love
- 11 cute valentines your kids (and their classmates) will love
- The best Valentine’s Day gifts you can buy online
- 24 thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts under $50
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