Picture Books, Reading, Seasonal

15 Valentine’s Day Books for Kids

There’s something about Valentine’s Day that draws in even the youngest of kids. Maybe it is the cards and candy, or maybe it is the feeling of being loved by family and friends. These Valentine’s Day books are the perfect addition to your read alouds this February. But don’t worry – not all of these Valentine’s Day books are filled with gushy love stories. There are stories of friendship and kindness that are perfect for kids of all ages.

Valentine's Day Books

1. The Day it Rained Hearts

The Day is Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond is a creative and sweet story that helps open the hearts of young readers. 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. A fun way to spark creativity and thoughtfulness! The perfect book to pair with Valentine’s Day crafts.

2. The Biggest Valentine Ever

Connect with your students’ love for Valentine’s Day cards with The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll. 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. But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!

3. How to Catch a Loveosaurus

Looking for a cute book that can connect to STEM? This book, How to Catch a Loveosaurus by Alice Walstead, is it! Can you catch the magical Loveosaurus? The Catch Club Kids are on the chase again, this time to trap a dinosaur that escaped from the museum and wants to spread love and kindness. Blending exciting traps and STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination, this charming adventure will delight young readers, families, and educators alike―and maybe inspire spreading some kindness too!

4. Love is My Favorite Thing

This isn’t your typical love story. But love is the feature in Love is my Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark. Plum has lots of favorite things—catching sticks, her bear, her bed—but really, LOVE is her absolute favorite thing. She loves her family and all the things they do together. Sometimes, however, Plum’s exuberance causes trouble, and she just can’t help being naughty. But fortunately, love is such a great thing that even when she makes mistakes, Plum’s family still adores her.

5. Bad Kitty Does Not Like Valentine's Day

Your students will love this Valentine’s Day book from the Bad Kitty series. Bad Kitty Does Not Like Valentine’s Day by Nick Bruel is a silly book with a not-so-silly message. Kitty does not like Valentine’s Day. Because no one has given Kitty a Valentine. Maybe to get a Valentine, Kitty has to give a Valentine…But how? It’s not easy.

Valentine's Day Books About Friendship

6. The Magic of Friendship Snow

The Magic of Friendship Snow by Andi Cann is a sweet story about finding friendship in the most unexpected places. Jojo looks around and everyone seems to have friends but her. She feels sad and lonely. Then, Jojo meets Puddles, the snowman made with magic friendship snow.

7. Love Is

Your students will enjoy Love Is – a 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. 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.

8. A Friendship Yarn

Your students will love this story of friendship and how it works through ups and downs. Porcupine and Badger have always been the best of friends, so when Porcupine finds some yarn in the woods, she makes a present for Badger. And when Badger finds yarn, she makes a present for Porcupine. The only problem? It’s the same yarn―and to finish the gift, they each must unravel the other’s creation. An act of kindness turns into a fierce standoff as the friendship frays―can Porcupine and Badger set aside their differences and knit themselves back together? Find out in A Friendship Yarn by Lisa Moser.

9. Dozens of Doughnuts

Your students will love this story of selflessness and friendship. In Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison, LouAnn (a bear) is making a doughnut feast in preparation for her long winter’s nap. But just before she takes the first bite, DING DONG! Her friend Woodrow (a woodchuck) drops by. LouAnn is happy to share her doughnuts, but as soon as she and Woodrow sit down to eat, DING DING! Clyde (a raccoon) is at the door. One by one, LouAnn’s friends come over–Topsy (an opossum) and then Moufette (a skunk) and then Chip and Chomp (chipmunks)–until it’s one big party. Louann welcomes her surprise guests and makes batch after batch of doughnuts, always dividing them equally among her friends. But she makes one BIG miscalculation. Soon LouAnn’s kitchen is bare, winter is near, and she’s had nothing to eat at all!

10. Big Friends

Big Friends by Linda Sarah is a wonderful story of growing friendships. Birt and Etho are best friends. Together they play outside in big cardboard boxes. Sometimes they’re kings, soldiers, astronauts. Sometimes they’re pirates sailing wild seas and skies. But always, always they’re Big friends. Then one day a new boy arrives, and he wants to join them. Can two become three?

11. Stick and Stone

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld is a must read. When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.

Valentine's Day Books About Kindness

12. Love

What is love? Can you only express it in fancy meals, greeting cards, and heart-shaped chocolates? Kids will find love everywhere in this delightful book. It can be found in everyday moments such as baking cookies with grandma, notes from Mom in your lunchbox, or a family singing together on a car trip, and it isn’t always what you expect! With delightful illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff and sweetly simple prose by award-winning author Stacy McAnulty, Love is the perfect book to teach children what it means to love, why it’s important and how they can spread the love in their daily lives.

13. Enemy Pie

This book puts the power of kindness on display. In Enemy Pie by Derek Munson enemies are turned into friends. It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy!

14. We're All Wonders

From the author of the novel Wonders, comes this picture book that is perfect for a younger crowd. Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid but is not always seen that way. We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

15. We Don't Eat Our Classmates

It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. Your students will see the importance of kindness in We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan Higgins.

Save these Valentine Books for Kids

Don’t forget to save this list of Valentine picture books for kids for later! Pin this post to your favorite children’s book or Valentine’s Day board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever you need it.

More Book Recommendations

If you loved these Valentine’s Day books, then make sure to check out these book recommendations too!

Valentine's Day, winter

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Maria Gavin

Maria is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, with 13 years of teaching experience. Her love and passion for all things early childhood is now fulfilled as a mom to two amazing kids. She loves sharing practical and creative tips and ideas that are perfect for young learners – in the classroom or at home!

Hi, I'm Maria.

I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)