1.28.2013

14 Favorite Valentine's Picture Books to celebrate the 14th day of February -- Preschool, Elementary School or Homeschool fun!

In honor of the 14th day of February, we share 14 of our favorite children's books for Valentin'es.  As you know, we are huge advocates of reading to children.  People ask me all the time how to teach children to read and I say the #1 thing is to read aloud to them.  Holidays are an especially good time to get their attention with new seasonal books you can get from the library or purchase for your own library.  I actually have a basket that I keep  in my family room and rotate out seasonal books depending on the holiday of the month.  This gives the kids a chance to have it right at their fingertips anytime they want.  Enjoy.
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
This tender book is one of my favorite Valentine books (and it often makes me cry!). It is a wonderful book about how one act of kindness can lead to another and another and change the life of not just one lonely man but also the lives of all the people in his town.

Love, Ruby Valentine and Ruby Valentine Saves the Day by  Laurie Friedman
I love these adorable books because in both of them Valentine's Day does NOT turn out the way Ruby hopes or plans, but she still makes the best of things and makes the holidays special. These have some good life lessons for all of us.

 
Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George by N.Di Angelo
My two younger children love monkeys, so this Valentine edition of a Curious George story is one of their favorites. The little flaps on each page that reveal part of the story are also a lot of fun for toddlers.



Skidamarink  by G. Brian Karas
is a delightful book that you may need to get from the library or find a different version than I have. But it is the sweetest well known song that my kids love me to sing to them year round.  This book puts the song to words.



The Story of Valentine's Nancy Skarmeas
is a series I love that teaches kids the meaning behind holidays.  I learned some things myself and it's the perfect length to keep your preschooler's attention.


Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink  by Diane deGroat
is a book that always makes my kids laugh, especially my son.   The main character writes some valentines that aren't particularly nice, but in the end makes it right.  The book has a good message on how to treat others kindly and how our actions can affect others.


 
Olive You! by Katy Hall
is a typical joke book, but if your kids are like mine, they LOVE jokes.  This is fun in that it is all valentine's jokes and makes for a quick read.


 Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine by Barbara Park
I have a soft spot for Barbara Park because when my oldest wrote her a letter at the age of 5, she wrote back a PERSONALIZED handwritten note to her in response.  What a neat author.  I have to admit that when I first read Junie B. Jones, I couldn't get over her terrible grammar.  But I came to realize that early elementary students LOVE her.  Junie B. is so funny, regardless of gender.  And she thinks along their frame of mind.  I believe that a series that gets kids reading voraciously is a good find and I know plenty of young readers who do just that with the Junie B. Jones series. 



Queen of Hearts by Mary Engelbreit
is beautiful with the illustrations alone.  Mary Engelbreit is such a fun illustrator.  This cute story helps kids realize the true meaning of valentines and helps kids realize that people and those you love matter more than material things!

We also love #10-14:
 
Check out our popular valentine's posts for boxes, parties, treats, and crafts here! And feel free to share any of your ideas in our comments or on our facebook page.  We love your ideas.
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