I just love Valentine’s Day. When I was a kid it was my favorite class party. We would bring in brown paper bags and decorate them with fun stickers and drawings. We would then tape them to our desk and the kids would bring in Valentine Day cards and drop them in your bag.
You always went home with a fun craft, snacks, and a bag full of Valentine Day cards. Some bought from the store and some hand made.
Books were also an important part of the holiday. I will never forget I had a Charlie Brown Valentines Book called, Be My Valentine Charlie Brown(not even in print anymore) that I read every year! This book will date me for sure!
I’m thrilled to share with you some beautiful picture books that would be perfect for a child in your life this time of the year!
Valentine’s Day Picture Books
If you like to have a list to print out to take to your library of the books mentioned in this post sign up below:
I let you know if each book was a picture book or a board book. Board books are perfect for babies and toddlers.
The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Picture Book
One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. She realizes that the hearts are perfect for making valentines. Each heart is special in its own way, and Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to: her animal friends.
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Picture Book
Fall in love with this endearing and adorable picture book that illustrates how a little bit of heart goes a long way to making the world a better place.
Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends. One day, they each find a letter. But not just any letter…
A love letter.
Pete the Cat: Valentines Day is Cool by James Dean
Picture Book
At first, Pete thinks Valentine’s Day isn’t cool…until he realizes all the special cats there are in his life. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool comes complete with a poster, stickers, and twelve punch-out Valentine’s Day cards.
Once Pete the Cat realizes how much fun Valentine’s Day can be, he decides to make valentine cards for his family and friends. But what happens when he realizes he’s forgotten to make a card for a very important cat?
Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse by Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond
Picture Book
Perfect Valentine’s Day book for young children! It’s beautifully written and has the sweetest illustrations! The book is filled with kind affirmations for each character which is so lovely for children to learn!
Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle
Picture Book
“Beep!” said Blue. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Join Little Blue Truck as he delivers Valentine’s Day cards to all his farm animal friends. But as Blue beeps along, he starts to wonder: will he get any cards of his own?
Llama llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney
Board Book
With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by H.A. Rey
Picture Book (lift the flap)
Just how much mischief can a curious little monkey get into when balloons, frosting, and glitter are involved? Fun flaps to lift in each scene reveal lively surprises in this humorous celebration of friendship. Curious readers will love the tactile interactive elements of this holiday storybook.
The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
Picture Book
When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their teacher as a surprise. But things don’t go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. “I’m going to make my own valentine!” they both say and go home in a huff.
This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins
Picture Book
This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about? Maybe this book is sort of a valentine after all.
Picture Book
A heartwarming book for young children about the challenges and joys that come with giving and receiving love.
This beautifully illustrated book tells the moving story of a little girl and a duckling who both grow to understand what it means to care for each other as they learn that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding on.
Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Picture Book
Cat does NOT like Valentine’s Day. It’s much too mushy, and no way is he making anyone a valentine—especially not his new neighbor, Dog. Dog refuses to respect the fence: He keeps tossing over old bones and hitting Cat in the head! But just as Cat’s about to send Dog an angry “valentine” telling him exactly what he can do with his bones, Dog throws a ball over the fence. What is Dog playing at? Cat is in for a hilarious—and heartwarming—surprise in this story about being perhaps too quick to judge.
Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Picture Book
Step out into a snowy Valentine’s Day with Jasper the bunny as he searches the forest valley for a special gift for his loved one.
The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh
Board Book
Everyone needs kisses, so what could be better than a book that’s full of them? With darling animals on every page and irresistible text that begs to be read aloud, parents and grandparents will love sharing this collection of affection with the youngest of readers.
Board Book
This endearing story encourages a warm, caring, and buoyantly affectionate approach to life. Everyone deserves a hug—and this book!
My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Board Book
This board book edition of the award-winning picture book is perfect for little hands and the very youngest readers, who will learn that a heart can be hopeful, silly, happy, rugged, snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with his bold, graphic artwork. An ideal springboard for conversations about emotions, and for introducing concepts, math, and art projects in the classroom and at home.
What is your favorite Valentine’s Day Picture Book?
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- My Favorite Books of 2024
Best Picture Books about Valentine’s Day
