Seasonal and holiday picture books make up a BIG portion of our picture book reading every year. I read 1,772 picture/board books to my boys last year and only about 700 of those were new to us. Meaning around 1,000 were rereads and while we do own a fair amount (you could say "too many") picture books that don't feature a specific holiday or season...a good portion of the ones we purposely reread every year are holiday based. I'd say somewhere around 700 of them (over 200 of those would just be Christmas) are seasonal rereads.
And, despite writing MANY book lists covering a whole hosts of seasons and holidays...I've never done Valentine's Day! I've covered:
- {18} Winter Picture Books
- {12} Picture Books to Start Spring
- {21} Easter Picture Books
- {36} Summery Picture Books
- {12} Picture Books for Back to School
- {9} Picture Books Featuring Ghosts
- {9} Pumpkin Picture Books
- {15} Favorite Halloween Books
- {10} Thanksgiving Picture Books
- And for Christmas: The Night Before Christmas, Reindeer, Christmas Carols, Mice & Christmas, Christmas in New York, Saints, Cookies & Treats, Christmas Trees, Animals Celebrating, Santa Stories, The Nativity Story, Historic Christmas, and {25} Christmas Picture Books
Valentine's Day is about the only semi-major holiday not covered! (Although, given the number of books we've read...I'm sure I could pull up some more niche holidays.) So, here we go with some favorite Valentine's Day books!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for helping support this blog! Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
This is my favorite Valentine's Day book, even though it's probably the longest on this list. Mr. Hatch is a lonely man who lives a lonely, repetive life. Then, on Valentine's Day, the mailman drops off a box of chocolates with a note that says "somebody loves you". Well, Mr. Hatch wasn't expecting that. He feels like a completely different person now that he knows somebody LOVES him. He bakes brownies for the neighbors, he chats with his coworkers. He makes friends. His life is all new. Then, the mailman comes back a few weeks later, tells him the box of chocolates was a mistake. They were supposed to go to someone else. Mr. Hatch is devestated to realize that nobody actually does love him. He tries to revert to his old, lonely, way of life only for his friends, coworkers, and neighbors to rally around him. The original note wasn't for Mr. Hatch but all of these people DO love Mr. Hatch. It's such a sweet story about reaching out.
Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Jasper the rabbit is trying to find the perfect Valentine's gift for his wife. He's walking through the snowy woods where they live, stopping at many of their neighbors, asking what that gift should be. They offer suggestions but none are just right for Jasper Rabbit. He returns home defeated only to see that he accidentally made a ginormous Valentine for his love!
Xo, Ox by Adam Rex, illustrated by Scott Campbell
An epistolary picture book about a delusional Ox who falls in love with a gazelle from the movies. He, the Ox, keeps writing her love letters and does not get that she does not reciprocate. The confidence and perseverance of Ox is one that many parents have probably experienced with their kids (my kids never persevere better than when they are, repeatedly, asking me for something I've previously said no to).
Mirabel's Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller
Mirabel has carefully made valentines to take to school and happily skips along on her trip there, passing many lonely or sad people. When she gets to school she realizes that her bag is empty. She's devastated that she can't share her valentines with her friends only to realize that all those sad and lonely people she passed along the way needed the pick me up that her dropped valentines brought.
This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
This book is NOT a valentine. It's not lacy or fancy or pretty. BUT...it will tell you where to find lucky rocks or the best hiding spots and about the joy of wishing for cinnamon buns. It's not a traditional valentine but it shares a kind of love all the same.
L is for Love by Greg Paprocki
We own so many of Greg Paprocki's books and this one is a celebration of different themes of love and friendship with his charming drawings.
Little Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
We also own all or nearly all of the Little Blue Truck books, even though, even my youngest is getting on the old end for these. Little Blue Truck is delivering Valentines to all of his friends on the farm, hoping he gets a valentine of his own!
Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms, illustrated by Tisha Lee
A family grows plants to sell at their local market and learn about all the different ways love grows and can be shared. Kisses from Mom & Dad, songs from Grandma, playing with friends, a smile from a neighbor. Love shows it's self in many different ways!
The Friendship Book by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Not a specifically Valentine's Book but the pink color and message let it sneak through as one. This is shares about friendship sort of love and what it takes to be a friend. We always like Stephanie Graegin's illustration, both of my boys will always point out that she also illustrated the Heartwood Hotel books!
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends and one day they each find a love letter in the woods. Somebody loves them but who is it? (This is, accidentally, the second Lucy Ruth Cummins illustrated book on this list!)
Love Is... by Diane Adams, illustrated by Claire Keane
A sweet story about a young girl who rescues a duckling, nursing it back to health. The girl grows to love the duckling but then has to learn that sometimes you have to let go of what you love in order for it to grow. A duckling can't live inside forever!
When an Elephant Falls in Love by Davide Cali, illustrated by Alice Lotti
Do you know what happens when an elephant falls in love? Probably not (DO real elephants fall in love?!?). Well, when an elephant falls in love they make some foolish choices, writes letters, and eats cheesecake. Reminder that the best things in life probably come with some waiting.
Consider Love: Its Many Moods and Many Ways by Sandra Boynton
If you have children you've probably read some Sandra Boynton books (if not, look her up, she's great). Simple book that explores different forms and ways to love. Also, it rhymes. (It always feels like rhyming books read quicker.)
Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
I've never read an even sub-par book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Here, Little Miss planted a kiss...and then watched it bloom. A reminder of the joy to be gained by being open and unselfish.
No comments:
Post a Comment