Valentine's Day Picture Books

It is the season for showing friends and family how much we love them. Here are some of the Valentine's Day picture books that I have found that best celebrate the holiday. I refrained from listing books that are a part of any long and loved franchise, because in general if your child loves Arthur, Clifford or Elmo then they will most likely enjoy any holiday book featuring the character as well.

Valentine's Day is... by Gail Gibbons is a great explanation and general history of the holiday. It is an easy to read story in which each page begins with "Valentine's Day is" and continues on with aspects of the holiday. There are craft ideas and pictures of children have a great time celebrating Valentines Day.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli introduces readers to a drab and routine bound Mr. Hatch. When a huge valentine heart full of candy is delivered to him at work he is amazed. Mr. Hatch is put into such a great mood that he shares his chocolate and helps out everyone he can. He is changed from drab and lonesome to a caring, cheerful neighbor. When it is discover that the valentine delivery that caused such a change was a mistake, Mr. Hatch's friends rally around him and show him how much they do appreciate him.

Will You be My Valenswine? by Teresa Bateman is the story of poor Polly Piglet. She is in search of someone to love, and searches the entire barnyard, forest and pasture for the right animal. When she returns home, feeling defeated, she discovers that her perfect valenswine might have been under her snout all along.

Love, Ruby Valentine by Laurie B. Friedman is a delightfully rhymed and different valentines Day book. Ruby is very excited for Valentines Day and gets everything ready the day before. However, she must have been very tired because she sleeps through the holiday. Disappointed, she is reluctant to follow her pet cockatoo Lovebird's suggestion that they celebrate a day late. But her friends and neighbors are thrilled when Ruby goes around town telling everyone that she loves them every day, not just on Valentines Day.

If You'll be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant brigs readers a pleasant and touching Valentines Day story. A little boy makes and gives out Valentines to friends, family, pets, and his teddy bear. He also spend time and plays with those he loves most.

Valentine Mice! by Bethany Roberts is a cheerful rhyming tale about an energetic team of mice delivering valentines to the other animals in the snowy forest. This is a cute and charming story with bright watercolor illustrations.

The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson is a charming re adaptation of the folksong "Clementine." In this story a determined suitor tries a wide variety of methods to get his dear Valentine her special message. Some of the inventive methods include smoke signals, homing pigeons, and skywriting.