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5 Picture Books For Your Wee Valentines
At the risk of sounding like a jaded adult, these days I find Valentine’s Day to be more of a Hallmark holiday that makes you feel terrible if you’re single and stressed out and overpaying for dinner if you’re coupled. But…as a kid I LOVED Valentine’s Day! And let’s be honest, any excuse to eat chocolates is an excellent thing in my book. Add on some hand-made, heart-shaped paper cards, a rose from a secret admirer, and those little Sweetheart candies that read “Be Mine” and taste like chalk but are so cute that you don’t even care, and actually, I may need to reconsider. So in honor of that childhood love for all things St. Valentine, here are five super sweet picture books for your little Valentino (or Valentina).
Ships in 1-2 days.
Happy Valentine’s Day Curious George, by H.A. Rey, N. Di Angelo, and Mary O’Keefe Young
The classic Curious George series seems to have a book for all seasons (and occasions), and Valentine’s Day is no exception. Curious George, ever curious, decides to invite the neighborhood kids over to his house to celebrate the holiday. They decorate the house, blow up big red heart-shaped balloons, make cookies, and draw Valentines. The iconic man with the yellow hat makes an appearance, and rereading it now, I find the delightfully reliable consistency of this series to be especially enjoyable. This one is extra fun because it’s interactive—with foldout flaps revealing sweet surprises.
The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart, by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Christine Davenier
Confession: I will inevitably love any book written by Julie Andrews (who forever in my mind is Mary Poppins) but I promise you’ll be smitten with this adorable picture book as well! (And I find it to be an extra sweet touch that she writes these books with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton.) Gerry, our young protagonist, loves Valentine’s Day. But what will she do when she forgets her special Valentines at home? Your prince or princess will be dazzled by the hearts and sparkles, and hopefully be inspired to follow his or her own heart in the process.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day, by Carolyn Otto
This National Geographic book is unique in that it gives the reader a global peek at how different cultures celebrate this popular holiday. Bright color photographs from Thailand to the Swiss Alps make an inspired accompaniment, and historical facts about the legend of St. Valentine make for an informative read. Fun for kids, and I must admit that I actually learned something as well! (One very cool fact: in Japan, women give chocolate and flowers to their friends and loved ones on February 14th, and then a month later on March 14th men do the same, but with white chocolate.)
Ships in 1-2 days.
Olivia and the Perfect Valentine, by Natalie Shaw and Shane L. Johnson
Olivia is an adorable piglet who needs no introduction. If your kids are a few of the legions of fans of this series, then this sweet book is not to be missed! In it Olivia makes Valentines for all the kids in her class, making sure each one is perfect and special for its intended recipient. (As someone who obsessed over her own handmade Valentines as a kid, I could totally relate.) A cute story, with equally adorable illustrations, that is sure to please.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Pinkalicious: Pink of Hearts, by Victoria Kann
I was once at a book festival with Victoria Kann and when she walked in it was like Justin Bieber had arrived—I have rarely seen both kids and parents get so excited over an author! That was my introduction to the world of Pinkalicious (and if you have a kid in this demographic you probably don’t need an introduction). All of these books are wildly popular, but Pinkalicious seems like she is particularly suited for Valentine’s Day, so if you haven’t read any of her books yet, why not start here? Pinkalicious makes Valentines in class, and learns about the deeper meaning of Valentine’s Day in the process. And for an extra special treat, this book comes with stickers and other fun extras!
What books help you and your little ones celebrate Valentine’s Day?