Come February 14th, your classroom should be filled with hearts and love (and maybe a little candy!). These Valentine’s Day books are the perfect choice for teaching your students about love of all kinds.
1. celebrating valentine’s day by shannon anderson
You are reading: Valentines day childrens books
This is like a bunch of Valentine’s Day books all rolled into one! children learn history, traditions, folklore and more. Plus, they’ll get ideas for ways to celebrate the holiday themselves.
2. love grows everywhere by barry timms
There are so many kinds of love, and you’ll find a wide variety of them in this book about a farmer’s daughter and the new kid in town, who really needs a friend.
3. valentine’s day jitters by julie danneberg
mrs. Hartwell planned the perfect Valentine’s Day party for his class, but somehow it all goes wrong! She is nervous, but her students soon let her know how much fun they have and how much they care about her.
4. smooch!: an illustrated book celebrating the enduring power of love by karen kilpatrick
Filled with diverse characters and charming rhyming texts, this is one of those Valentine’s Day books you can read all year long. teaches children that a kiss can represent the love that connects us all.
5. rose rossner’s abc of love
This colorful board book has loving words for each letter of the alphabet. young children will love it, but you can use it with older children too. Have them brainstorm their own love words for each letter!
6. what is love? by mac barnett
when a little boy asks his grandmother, “what is love?” she sends him out into the world to find out. she discovers that love is something different for each person, but it is important for all of us.
7. i am love: a book of compassion by susan green
Bring a sense of mindfulness into your classroom with the books in the i am series. In this one, kids learn how love can help them get through tough times. also includes yoga poses for kids to try.
8. a love of cedella marley
Bob Marley’s beloved song comes to life in this illustrated book adapted by his oldest daughter. she can read this aloud or have the kids learn to sing.
9. love around the world by alli brydon
love is universal, but we all show it differently. travel the world and learn about henna patterns on Indian brides, Welsh love spoons and more.
10. Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George! by n Angelo
curious george has many fun adventures while learning about valentine’s day. With interactive fold-out flaps, this book is sure to become a classroom favorite of his.
11. love from the crayons by drew daywalt and oliver jeffers
Our favorite kids from the day they stopped painting are back. And this time, they’re learning all about love.
12. dinosaur valentine’s day by jessica brady
Logan the dinosaur creates from his heart as he crafts a personalized Valentine’s card for each of his friends, capturing what he loves most about each one.
13. the invisible rope by patrice karst
An updated version of the beloved classic, with an afterword by the author. It’s one of those Valentine’s Day books that show the invisible bonds we all have with those we love.
14. the day it rained hearts by felicia bond
cornelia augusta can hardly believe it when it rains hearts one day! She decides to collect some of them to give to her friends on Valentine’s Day.
15. a little place of love by diane alber
How do you show the people in your life how much you love them? the spot shows the many ways, from listening and being kind to hugs and high fives.
16. anika aldamuy denise’s love letter
When the hedgehog, bunny and squirrel find an anonymous love letter, it sets off a chain reaction of warm furry.
17. as I love you? by jennifer adams
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A reimagining of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s iconic love poem charmingly illustrated and told in language suitable for children. It’s one of our favorite books for Valentine’s Day!
18. sealed with a kiss by beth ferry
The seal is new to the National Zoo and is eager to make new friends, but he doesn’t exactly get an enthusiastic reception until a wise sparrow convinces the other animals to surprise the seal with a special treat.
19. hugs and kisses for eric carle’s grumpy ladybug
Even the curmudgeonly ladybug deserves love! this sweet story is about making the world kinder, one friend at a time.
20. groggle’s monster valentine by diana murray
will groggle finish making the perfect valentine for snarlina, the friend of the ‘beast’? Not if she can’t control her impulsive appetite!
21. love is the most important thing by mij kelly
a beautiful rhyming winter tale about a mother polar bear and her search for her little lost cub.
22. valentine jokes for kids by chrissy voeg
q: what did the stamp on the envelope say? a: i’m stuck on you! Your students will love this joke and more in this collection of good clean valentine-themed humor.
23. the secret life of chipmunks: a nancy rose love story
it will be mr. peanut ever found someone special to spend his life with? find out in this love story with nancy rose’s hilarious staged photos.
24. Valentine of the Little Ant by S.M.R. said
a tiny taming of the shrew’s tale with the little ant (who hates valentine’s day) and the pretty but snooty ant girl he hopes to win over.
25. monster love and the last chocolate by rachel bright
When a box of chocolates is left on the love monster’s doorstep, he struggles between keeping them all for himself and sharing them with his loved ones.
26. i will love you until the cows come home by kathryn cristaldi
Simple, humorous and sweet all at the same time, this adorably illustrated book is sure to give your little ones the warmest hairs.
27. heart to heart by lois ehlert
This palm-sized treasure features the author’s signature cut-out paper collage illustrations and witty messages using letters, numbers, and images of fruits and vegetables – the perfect Valentine’s Day inspiration in the classroom.
28. what the world needs right now is love for burt bacharach and hal david
These classic song lyrics now have beautiful illustrations to accompany them because the world needs love on Valentine’s Day, and every other day too.
29. love of matt de la peña
There is no shortage of rave reviews for this title, and rightly so, as it manages to encapsulate the most complex emotion of all for readers young and old.
30. Click, clack, moo I love you! by doreen cronin and betsy lewin
Duck’s vision for a valentine’s day celebration includes streamers, hearts, glitter and a good time for everyone. an unexpected guest helps bring it together.
31. very hungry caterpillar love by eric carle
from the author of the beloved favorite, the very hungry caterpillar, follow the caterpillar’s instructions to tell the special people in your life how much you love them.
32. ollie’s valentine by olivier dunrea
ollie goes in search of her perfect valentine in this installment of the gossie & series of friends.
33. worm loves worm by j.j. austrian
one of the most delightful valentine books, it’s a celebration of love, with a message about equality, in all its splendid forms.
34. chick ‘n’ pug: jennifer sattler’s pug love
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This witty story about friendship shows that there is always enough love to go around.
35. Mr. goat valentines day by eve bunting
Another moving story from one of our favorite authors. how will mr. Goat finds the perfect gift to give the first love of her?
36. this is not a valentine for carter higgins
can a valentine be a valentine if it’s not flowery and pink? Let this ode to friendship help you and your students decide.
37. when an elephant falls in love with davide cali
sweet with just the right amount of silliness, students and teachers alike will root for Elephant as he navigates his first real crush.
38. love is from diane adams
I’m not crying; You’re Crying This sweet year-round story of a girl taking care of a baby duckling is perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time her heart needs a little warmth.
39. hug day by anne marie pace
a caring animal friends plan to make sure the groundhog can make it to the moose’s valentine’s day party. Hit two February holidays at once with this title!
40. bagel in love with natasha wing
what’s a bagel to do when he can’t find a partner for the cherry jubilee dance competition? this title may be full of sentimental lines, but it has important messages about self-confidence and encouragement.
41. valenstein by ethan long
the scare club doesn’t have much experience with love. they wonder: what is fran k. stein making with pink paper, and what will he do with it?
42. pete the cat’s wonderful guide to love by kimberly and james dean
a silly collection of famous quotes about loving our favorite cool cat.
43. the best most disgusting and stinky valentine of brenda a. ferber
Follow Leon as the lover brings his secret crush to life and hits the road saying, “Love is disgusting.” stinky too. it will make your brain go sticky! Leaving Leon to chase him on a mad chase.
44. scott campbell hug machine
The main character in this heartwarming story is a sweet, snuggly critter who just can’t get enough hugs.
45. here comes deborah underwood’s valentine’s cat
cat is a grumpy feline who is not interested in valentine’s day. a charming story with a sweet lesson.
46. peppa pig and the game i love you by candlewick press
peppa loves many things, but when she and her family play the i love you game, she learns what she loves most.
47. the fairy princess herself: valentines from the heart julie andrews and emma walton hamilton
One of our favorite Valentine’s Day books, this is a celebration of the love and friendship of favorite author Julie Andrews and her daughter.
48. baby penguins love their mommy! by melissa script
Mother Penguin spends her days lovingly caring for her little ones. Do you know how much he cares about her? delightfully illustrated in magnificent watercolour.
49. here comes a kiss from stacy mccleary and david cornish
a sweet rhyming story of a day full of loving kisses.
50. I love you! a gift of love and poetry for children by donald verger
a visually beautiful book filled with stunning photography and sweet messages of unconditional love.
plus 20 sweet educational valentine’s day videos kids will love.
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