Have fun checking out these Valentine friends with your younger children. Then sit down at the kitchen table and start working on your own homemade Valentines for friends and family. Kids love showing their love to others during this special holiday.
A Giant Crush by Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011. Love this book about a tall rabbit with a crush and his friend who encourages him to tell the girl. Colorful illustrations with a sweet story perfect for grade-schoolers.- Peek-A-Love by Salina Yoon. Little Simon Board Books, 2010. Die-cut hearts help the reader play peek-a-boo with something each animal loves. What does Mommy love? You guessed it!
- Count My Kisses, Little One by Ruthie May, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie. Little Hare Publishing, 2010. For babies and toddlers, this counting book describes a little girl’s day with her toy puppy. Cheerful and sweet read.
- Guess Who? by Lola Schafer. Board book. Little Simon Publishers, 2009.
- Happy Valentines Day, Mouse! Board book. By Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond. Balzer and Bray, 2009. Part of the “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie …” series. the author is donating a portion of the proceeds from this book to “First Book.”
- My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall. Green Willow Books, 2009.
- I Love You! Affection in the Natural World. Board book. Play Bac Publishers, 2008.
- Valentine Friends by April Jones Prince, illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg. Cartwheel Books, 2007.
- Everyone Says I Love You illustrated by Beegee Tolpa. A pop-up trip around the world.
- The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Jenni Bassett. Cartwheel Books, 2006.
- The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. HarperCollins, 2006.
- If You’ll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka. HarperCollins Publishers, 2005.
- The Best Thing About Valentines by Eleanor Hudson, illustrated by Melanie Melcher. Cartwheel Books, 2004.
- The Very Special Valentine by Maggie Kneen. Chronicle Books, 2003.
- Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts, illustrated by Doug Cushman. Sandpiper Press, 2001.
- Froggy’s First Kiss by Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz. Viking Juvenile, 1998.
- Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane de Groat. HarperCollins, 1997.
- Franklin’s Valentines by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark.Scholastic, 1998.
- Valentine Cats by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Hans Wilhelm. Cartwheel 1996.
- Winnie The Pooh’s Valentine by Bruce Talkington, illustrated by John Kurtz. Disney Press, 1995.
Submitted by Springfield Moms Series Editor Julie Kaiser.
