Our Favorite Children's Books About Love and Valentine's Day

At our house, we read A LOT of children's books, and we want to share some of our favorites with you! In this post, we've included our favorite board books and picture books that are perfect for Valentine's Day or celebrating love any day of the year. We hope you enjoy!

Board Books

Love Monster

By: Rachel Bright

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers (2014)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: Love Monster wants to belong with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it's hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you're a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, love can find you when you least expect it. With sweet illustrations and a heartwarming message about how everyone deserves love, this is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, and celebrating love year-round.

Why We Love It

• Great message

• Subtle humor

• Quirky text and cute illustrations

• Can be read anytime of year

Love is in the Little Things

Written By: Stella J. Jones

Illustrated By: Jane Massey

Publisher: Tiger Tales (2023)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: This sweet story of the friendship between a child and a bear is a celebration of all the ways we show our love to the important people in our lives. A heartfelt gesture that's as simple as a hug, a smile, or a helping hand conveys deep feelings of love and appreciation that words might not be able to show.

Why We Love It

• Cute rhyming text

• Simple, sweet illustrations

• Captures the small moments that make love so meaningful

• Can be read anytime of year

ABCs of Love

Written By: Patricia Hegarty

Illustrated By: Summer Macon

Publisher: Caterpillar Books (2021)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description:

A is for always-that's how long I'll love you for.

B is for bear hug, to show I love you more.

C is for cherish--looking after one another.

D is for devoted--as we are to each other.

Learn your ABCs while celebrating love with this irresistibly illustrated board book that's perfect for Valentine's Day and all year round!

Why We Love It

• Sweet rhyming text

• Cute illustrations

• Helps kids learn the alphabet

• Can be read anytime of year

Mama Loves You So

Written By: Terry Pierce

Illustrated By: Simone Shin

Publisher: Little Simon (2017)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: This book celebrates a mother’s love trumping even majestic mother nature…a mama’s love is higher than a mountain and deeper than any stream.

Why We Love It

• Lovely rhyming text

• Neat scenery in the illustrations

• Features many animals

• Can be read anytime of year

My Dad Loves Me!

By: Marianne Richmond

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2019)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: A book celebrating the special relationship between every father and their child!

My dad plays with me.

My dad naps with me.

My dad protects me.

Why We Love It

• Short, simple text perfect for the youngest readers

• Simple, bold illustrations that feature a variety of animal dads with their young

• Perfect for Father's Day, but can be read anytime of year

My Love For You

Written By: Lisa Varchol Perron

Illustrated By: Sheryl Murray

Publisher: Little Simon (2023)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description:

Today, let’s soak up summertime

before it turns to fall.

Gather sand and pack it tight

to build a castle wall.

A wave! Our fortress topples down,

becoming something new.

Everything is bound to change…

except my love for you.

This lovely and lyrical book reassures a child that although all things change or come to an end (a sandcastle falls with a wave, a seagull steals a cracker), a parent’s love lasts forever.

Why We Love It

• Beautiful rhyming text

• Adorable illustrations

• Great message

• Perfect for summertime

If Animals Kissed Good Night

Written By: Ann Whitford Paul

Illustrated By: David Walker

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers (2008)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: If Animals Kissed Good Night is a beloved, bestselling board book that imagines the bedtime rituals of cuddly creatures all across the animal kingdom – making it the perfect read aloud to snuggle up with at the end of each day. Featuring playful rhymes and adorable art, little ones can see how creatures, great and small, show affection.

Why We Love It

• Fun and masterful rhyming text

• Bright, adorable illustrations

• Features many animals

• Satisfying ending

• Can be read anytime of year

Picture Books

Always

By: Emma Dodd

Publisher: Templar Books (2007)

Recommended Ages: 0+

Book Description: One little elephant discovers that a parent’s love is unconditional.

Sometimes you’re happy.

Sometimes you’re sad.

Sometimes you’re good.

Sometimes you’re bad. 

But no matter what you say or do...I always love you!

Why We Love It

• Simple rhyming text that is perfect for even the youngest readers

• Simple bold illustrations with shiny silver embellishments

• Very kid-friendly scenarios shown in illustrations

• Great message!

• Can be read anytime of year

• We also own Love by Emma Dodd, which is spring-themed and is very good as well.

Love is

Written By: Diane Adams

Illustrated By: Claire Keane

Publisher: Chronicle Books (2017)

Recommended Age: 2+

Book Description: When a little girl finds a duckling who has wandered away from the park onto the city streets, she takes it home to care for it. The baby duck requires constant attention—early morning feedings, bathing, and tidying—until the time comes to say goodbye. When her pet has grown too big for the bath, the girl takes the full-grown duck back to the pond. Afterward, she misses it and wonders if it remembers her . . . until one day, the duck comes back—with six ducklings of her own. 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.

Why We Love It:

• Lovely rhyming text

• Very charming illustrations that perfectly capture the girl's and duck's relationship

• Sweet, sweet story - a favorite of mine! 😊

• Can be read anytime of year

  
  

Guess How Much I Love You

Written By: Sam McBratney

Illustrated By: Anita Jeram

Publisher: Candlewick Press (1995)

Recommended Age: 2+

Book Description: Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story captures the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books.

Why We Love It: 

• A simple, sweet story that is brilliantly executed

• Endearing characters

• Full of childlike wonder

• Beautiful illustrations

• Can be read anytime of year

• A classic!

Ruby Valentine Saves the Day

Written By: Laurie Friedman

Illustrated By: Lynne Avril

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2010)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: It's Valentine's Day and Ruby won't let anything spoil the celebration! In this follow-up to the popular Love, Ruby Valentine, Ruby's favorite day of the year rolls around again, and she and Lovebird work feverishly to plan the perfect party for everyone in Heartland. But when Valentine's Day arrives, an unexpected snowstorm threatens to ruin all of Ruby's plans. Will Ruby find a way to save the day, or will everyone in Heartland have to wait until next year to celebrate?

Why We Love It:

• Fun rhyming text

• Playful illustrations

• Great message!

• Perfect for Valentine's Day!

• Cute series!

Fancy Nancy Heart to Heart

Written By: Jane O'Connor

Illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser and Carolyn Bracken

Publisher: HarperFestival (2009)

Recommended Ages: 3+

Book Description: Almost everything about Valentine's Day is fancy . . . especially with Fancy Nancy! Mystery is in the air when Nancy receives a valentine from a secret someone. Join Nancy as she follows the clues to find out who it is—all in her trademark fabulous style, of course.

Why We Love It:

• Classic valentine mystery featuring a popular character

• So fancy!

• Includes stickers

• Teaches kids a few French words and definitions (and helps parents pronounce them!) 😊

Duck and Hippo The Secret Valentine

Written By: Jonathan London

Illustrated By: Andrew Joyner

Publisher: Two Lions (2018)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: It’s Valentine’s Day, and something curious is going on. As the birds tweet their love songs, Hippo and his friends Elephant, Pig, and Turtle each receive mysterious, unsigned Valentine’s Day cards. Hippo wonders if his is from Duck; Elephant and Turtle think theirs are from Pig; and Pig dreams that hers is from Turtle. The cards tell the friends to come to the park at four o’clock to meet their valentines―so they’ll find out soon enough! As the clock ticks away, the friends wonder―and dream―about their valentines and make special preparations. But when they arrive…SURPRISE!

Why We Love It:

• Cute valentine mystery

• Eye-catching illustrations

• Keeps kids engaged looking for duck in the illustrations

• Great ending message!

Turkey's Valentine Surprise

Written By: Wendi Silvano

Illustrated By: Lee Harper

Publisher: Two Lions (2022)

Recommended Ages: 4+

Book Description: Turkey loves nothing better than a good trick…except maybe a good disguise. So for Valentine’s Day, he decides to secretly deliver a card to each of his friends. But when he dresses up as a cat to deliver the purr-fect valentine, he’s quickly found out. It turns out that outsmarting his pals is harder than he thought. Luckily, Turkey has more silly surprises in store.

Why We Love It:

• Silly story featuring a familiar character

• Cute illustrations with fun disguises and puns throughout

• Good ending and message

Because Your Mommy Loves You

Written By: Andrew Clements

Illustrated By: R.W. Alley

Publisher: Clarion Books (2012)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: When a little boy and his mom go camping, mini-disasters abound, and there are lots of opportunities for Mom to step in and fix everything. But instead, with a loving touch, this mommy shows her child ways to do things for himself, going far to encourage her child’s independence. And there is still plenty of opportunity for snuggling under the stars.

Why We Love It:

• Realistic (and funny!) text and illustrations

• Promotes teaching kids independence

• Great for Mother's Day and general summertime reading

Because Your Daddy Loves You

Written By: Andrew Clements

Illustrated By: R.W. Alley

Publisher: Sandpiper (2005)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: A day spent with a young child at the beach is filled with many minor dramas—a lost shoe, a ball that floats too far out into the water, a drippy ice-cream cone. These can be frustrating events for both child and parent, but the daddy in this book finds a way to fix each problem, lovingly and patiently. Why? Because he loves his little girl, of course!

Why We Love It:

• Realistic (and funny!) text and illustrations

• Perfectly captures the uniquely sweet bond between fathers and daughters

• Great for Father's Day and general summertime reading

How to Love a Grandma

Written By: Jean Reagan

Illustrated By: Lee Wildish

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (2023)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: You love Grandma, and Grandma loves you! Love her by sharing with her, helping her, cheering her on, and, most of all, giving her great big hugs. Celebrate all the moments that can make grandmas feel special and cared for during Valentine's Day and beyond!

Why We Love It:

• Cute story and illustrations

• Emphasizes the small moments that foster the love between a grandma and her grandkids

• Perfect for grandmas and grandkids to snuggle and read together

• Can be read anytime of year

I Love You to the Moon and Back

Written By: Amelia Hepworth

Illustrated By: Tim Warnes

Publisher: Tiger Tales (2015)

Recommended Ages: 2+

Book Description: The sun rises, and a bear and cub begin their day together. They splash in the water, climb mountains, watch the colorful lights in the shimmering sky, and play with friends. They show their love for each other by touching noses, chasing each other, and, of course, hugging and snuggling before bed. This is a warm celebration of the love between parent and child.

Why We Love It:

• Sweet story

• Adorable illustrations

• Great message

• Perfect bedtime read for little ones anytime of year

The Invisible String

Written By: Patrice Karst

Illustrated By: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co. (2018)

Recommended Ages: 3+

Book Description: In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. "That's impossible!" the children insist, but still they want to know more: "What kind of string?" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.

Why We Love It:

• A simple idea brilliantly executed in a very kid-friendly way

• Gives kids and adults a tool they can use to feel connected to each other

• A classic!

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We sincerely hope that you enjoy these books as much as we have! To receive monthly book recommendations, sign-up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page. Otherwise, if you have any favorite children's books about love or Valentine's Day, please type them in the comments below. We are ALWAYS looking for fun new books to read! 😊

Happy reading from our family to yours!