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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we may be thinking of all the fun ways you can show some love to your kid(s). Festive pajamas, glittery cards, and squishy stuffies are all great — but the one thing kids want most from their parents (even if they won’t admit to it!), is quality time.
Reading with your kids is one of the best things you can do for them, on Valentine’s Day or any other. There’s a mountain of research backing the enormous benefits of sharing a sweet storytime together. Kids whose parents read to them early and often prove to be better readers later on in life. Kids who are read to at least three times weekly are nearly twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading compared to kids who aren’t. And children’s literacy is significantly correlated with the number of books in the home. (As if we needed another reason to fill our bookshelves!)
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Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to cuddle up with your kiddo and give them a gift that not only benefits their noggins, but their emotional well-being too — and we’ve got the perfect books to do just that.
A version of this article was published in Jan. 2022.
Harvey The Heart Had Too Many Farts
By Jane Bexley
Kids love all things toilet humor, so this one is sure to be a gas. Harvey the Heart has a flatulence problem, and is looking for someone to love him as he is. (Honestly? We can relate.)
The Night Before Valentine’s Day
By Natasha Wing
You know where this is going … written in the style of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, this rhyming tale follows little kids as they excitedly prepare for Valentine’s Day.
Little Blue Truck’s Valentine
by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
If you’re unfamiliar with the “Little Blue Truck” series, now’s a great time to check it out because it is adorable. In this Valentine’s Day tale, Little Blue Truck is delivering messages of love to all his farm friends — and wondering if he’ll get any himself. Awww.
How to Catch a Loveosaurus
By Alice Walstead
From the beloved How to Catch series, is a hilarious and endearing story about an elusive Loveosaurus who escaped from the museum and wants to spread love and kindness. This charming tale about bringing the Loveosaurus home is sure to make kids smile and (hopefully!) encourage them to spread some kindness too.
Love From Bluey
By Suzy Brumm
If this beloved furry family of four is constantly seen on your kids’ screens, why not bring Bluey to their bookshelf too? In Love From Bluey, Dad tries to get Bluey ready for bed while Mum and Bingo read a story about all the ways to show your love.
I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home
By Kathryn Cristaldi
All familes have a saying to express just how much they love each other. (Or, if they don’t, they should!) For actress Brooke Shields and her daughter, Rowan, it’s “and to a party” (IYKYK). If you’re looking for the perfect phrase to express your love, this book is filled with silly sayings that are sure to make little kids giggle and grin.
Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
Eric Carle’s insatiable inchworm has pretty much become a cultural icon, and you’ll get a dose of nostalgia (plus sweet verses like “You are the cherry on my cake”) when you read this Valentine’s Day version to your little love.
Pop-Up Peekaboo! I Love You
From DK
This board book is bright, interactive, and engaging — perfect for the littlest Valentines in your life. Lift-the-flaps and pop-ups lead readers to discover who’s sending Smiley Sheep presents.
I Love You Like No Otter
By Rose Rossner and Sydney Hanson
If the adorable otters on the cover don’t make you go “Squeee!” the sweet story and heart-melting illustrations inside will. It’s a board book and perfect for babies and toddlers — but holds a sentiment that early readers will love too.
