5 Kids’ Books that Make Great Valentine’s Day Gifts for Adults

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics, by Norton Juster
The classic tale of two shapes from different families: a straightforward line and a dreamy dot who only has eyes (of a sort) for a wacky squiggle. Not one to lay around moping, the line dedicates himself to self-improvement through angles. “A supremely witty love story with a twist,” says the publisher. Indeed. If your Valentine prefers Star Trek to Starbursts, this is the gift for them.

Holy Cow, I Sure Do Love You, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
This story features a rollicking cow in bold black and white practically leaping off the brown paper pages while delivering bovine pun after pun declaring love for the reader. The humor is very playful but also conveys deep and heartfelt affection, and it’s hard to imagine anyone not falling in love with this cow. If your Valentine prefers groans to gummy worms, choosing this book is the right moove.

Sleep Like a Tiger, by Mary Logue and Pamela Zagarenski
A little girl in a crown declares, “I’m just not sleepy.” Who among us hasn’t heard that argument? Her parents, however, also wear crowns, and they aren’t fazed in the least. The three of them calmly discuss how different animals (inspired by pets, stuffed animals, and the girl’s imagination) sleep. When she finds inspiration in the tiger’s sleep habits, she agrees to curl up and drift off herself. If your Valentine is as exhausted as mine, this book makes a lovely gift.

Snuggle Puppy!: A Little Love Song, by Sandra Boynton
You knew I was going to get to Sandra Boynton eventually, right? She absolutely has something for every occasion, and this is no exception. While Snuggle Puppy is ostensibly about a parent dog and pup, the lyrics could just as sweetly be about any grown-up relationship, mostly without too much cringe-factor. “OOO, Snuggle Puppy of mine! Everything about you is especially fine. I love what you are. I love what you do. Fuzzy little Snuggle Puppy, I love you.” If your Valentine prefers pats on the head to pansies, fetch a copy right now.

Frog and Toad Storybook Collection, by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad do everything together, and support one another through all of life’s adventures. Frog is a little more level-headed; Toad is a little more excitable. And while the relationship between these two amphibians is not outwardly (or even hinted at) a romantic one,  Frog and Toad are best friends who clearly love each other. If your Valentine looks funny in a bathing suit, misplaces buttons, and disregards your desire for alone time, The Frog and Toad Storybook Collection is the magnificent celebration of perfect partnership, ideal for your significant amphibian.