6 Valentine Children's Books

Valentine's Day is a holiday in February that children love - a time for friendship and caring. Treat your primary students to this exciting array of Valentine book treasures. This group of 6 valentine children's books are perfect read-aloud books to brighten the valentine season.

Valentine Foxes by Clyde Watson [Orchard Books, 1992]

Mama Fox has planned the perfect Valentine's Day - or so she thinks! First, her children - Zandy, Pandy, Poot, and Little Dilly make a huge mess while making valentines. Later, the busy little foxes decide to surprise their mom by making a valentine cake all by themselves. Will their surprise turn out in time?

Turn your students into busy cooks by using the recipe for Valentine Pound Cake, which is included in this book.

The Queen of Hearts by Elizabeth Koda-Callan [Workman Publishing Company, 1995]

A little girl volunteers her mom's "famous" tea heart cookies for a school party. When her mom has to work and cannot make the cookies, the girl decides to attempt the job herself. With help from her dad and a little determination, the little baker earns the nickname 'Queen of Hearts."

Little Mouse's Big Valentine by Thacher Hurd [Scholastic, 2005]

It's Valentine's Day and Little Mouse has a big problem. It seems that no one wants the huge red valentine he made. Luckily, he meets a new friend who has the perfect plan. Armed with a pair of scissors, the two busily cut smaller valentines out of the big one.

A Village Full of Valentines by James Stevenson [HarperTrophy, 1998]

Visit a delightful little village where the animals all manage to create some very unique valentines. Join their Valentine's Day celebrations, complete with a "shower" of little valentines and a giant-sized heart that surrounds their entire village. This charming book shows how many different ways a valentine can be created!

Be My Valentine by M.J. Carr [Turtleback Books, 1992]

It's the eve of Valentine's Day at the Delphi Diner and a mouse named Isadore is busy writing the perfect valentine poem for his "true love," Athena. Will he be able to compose just the right poem in time? What do you think?

Cranberry Valentine by Wende and Harry Devlin [Aladdin, 1992]

It's valentine season in the little town of Cranberryport. Mr. Whiskers has suddenly been receiving some beautiful unsigned valentines an wants to find out who's sending them. He thinks it may be the "mystery lady" in the green coat - or is it? Included in the book is a recipe for Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.

This group of 6 valentine children's books are sure to amuse your class. After repetition of these stories, students may be able to read or become storytellers for the other children, or perhaps create and perform scripts of the stories. They could make simple costumes and props for their plays.

Another kid-pleasing project would be to conduct mini-puppet shows about the books. Students could make stick puppets and a small "stage" or use felt puppets on a flannel board.

Celebrate your valentine book unit with a special party. Ask the students to decorate place mats with their favorite valentine book characters. They can even dress up as one of the book characters in the stories. Serve a special treat and this class party will be one the children will not forget!

Sources:
Personal Experience in the Classroom
The Good Apple Newspaper, Vol. 25, No. 3, Issue 125