Books for a Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is such a sweet holiday. It has cards, cupcakes, cookies and candy. That's a lot to love! Here are some books to get your holiday started.

 Snowy Valentine by David Petersen

Jasper Bunny wants to get the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for his wife. He goes from friend to friend to ask for their advice. All his friends have the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for their loved ones, but none of their ideas will work for Jasper. (Fox has a particularly bad idea.) In the end, he comes up with the perfect gift. A clue is in the title!

 Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond

If you are a fan of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, you’ll like this board book. I especially like the picture of Moose painting.

 The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

Cornelia is walking along when it starts raining hearts. She catches them in her hands takes them home to make valentines. This book has a lovely Valentiny feel.

Hearts & Crafts by Sheri Brownrigg (Sorry, no link.)

This crafts book has lots of projects in it, organized in chapters: Wearable Art, Crafts for the Heart, Sealed with a Kiss, Tea Time and Sweet Dreams. My favorites: Conversation Heart Necklace, Rose Petal Drops, Beating Heart, Dream Keeper.

 Let’s Throw a Valentine’s Day Party! by Rachel Lynette

Although the cover looks like it’s designed for preschoolers, the ideas inside could be used for Valentine’s Day parties for all ages. There are ideas for invitations, decorations, games and food.

Valentine’s Day Stories and Poems edited by Caroline Feller Bauer, illustrated by Blanche L. Sims (Sorry, no link.)

This collection of stories and poems may be such what you are looking for, especially for read-alouds. Many of the authors and poets are familiar: Eloise Greenfield, Judith Viorst, Cynthia Rylant, Gordon Parks and many others.

 Valentine Surprise by Corinne Demas, illustrated by R. W. Alley

Lily wanted to make a perfect valentine for her mother. Each day, for 7 days, she made a valentine but she didn't like any of them. Then she has an idea… The illustrations give lots to look at. Check out the calendars – none are alike!

 Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril

At first, I was confused by this book about Amelia Bedelia as a young girl. Then I noticed the author’s name and learned Herman Parish is Peggy Parish’s nephew and he writes the Amelia Bedelia books now. Anyway, this is just as you would expect – Amelia gets a lot of things wrong and is her same charming self.

Looking for more books for Valentine's Day? Check back next week!

Gail