By A. Noelle

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the kids and a heartwarming read from our list! Teach your nieces and nephews about acceptance with the help of a Love Monster who discovers love where he least expects it. Enjoy a fit of giggles when a zombie searches for a ghoul-friend in all the wrong places. Learn about kindness and environmentalism from a kitten who sets out to give the entire world a hug. These books are filled with great themes and lessons that will stay with your little readers all year long.

1. Clifford’s First Valentine’s Day by Norman Bridwell (Ages 1+)
Clifford helps make a special valentine for Grandma and gets an unexpected tour of the Post Office when it’s time to mail it.

2. A Kiss For You! by Joan Holub (Ages 2 - 4)
Little readers learn about hand gestures like blowing a kiss, waving hello, or hugging. Use the die-cut hand on the front cover to complete simple exercises throughout the book, such as petting the dog or giving a high five.

3. Love Monster by Rachel Bright (Ages 2 - 4)
Love Monster has a hard time fitting in with the cuddly creatures in Cutesville, so he sets out on a journey to find some who will love him just the way he is.

4. Penguin in Love by Salina Yoon (Ages 3 - 6)
Penguin was looking for love, but he finds a lost mitten instead and wonders about the other half of the pair.

5. Never Too Little to Love by Jeanne Willis (Ages 3 - 7)
Tiny Too-Little is in love with someone who is very tall, and he must make a very big effort to give a kiss by stacking up objects and standing on his tiptoes. Cut-away pages show how Tiny’s pile keeps growing taller and taller, but he still can’t quite reach his love.

6. Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by N. Di Angelo (Ages 4 - 8)
George and his friends are celebrating Valentine’s Day by decorating, baking, and making cards. Fold-out flap scenes reveal pleasant surprises in this book that celebrates friendship.

7. Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart by Jane O’Connor (Ages 4 - 8)
When Nancy receives a valentine from a secret admirer, she decides to follow the clues to find her special someone.

8. Snowy Valentine by David Petersen (Ages 4 - 8)
Jasper the bunny searches through the forest for a special gift for his loved one.

9. Love, Splat by Rob Scotton (Ages 4 - 8)
Splat has a special valentine for Kitten, but Kitten doesn’t seem to return Splat’s feelings. With his rival, Spike, in the picture, Splat wonders if his heartfelt valentine will help him win Kitten’s affections.

10. Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio (Ages 4 - 8)
Mortimer is on a quest for love. His arm keeps falling off when he tries to work out at the gym. He’s too stiff for ballroom dancing. He can’t find a date on stalemate.com. Mortimer just can’t seem to find the ghoul of his dreams.

11. Henry in Love by Peter McCarty (Ages 4 - 8)
Henry is a dreamer, not a talker. Chloe, the cute bunny in the back row and the love of Henry’s life, speaks her mind and knows how to do a cartwheel. One blueberry muffin makes all the difference.

12. An Awesome Book of Love! by Dallas Clayton (Ages 4 - 8)
These rhyming verses and adorable illustrations are meant to be shared with special loved ones.

13. Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell (Ages 4+)
Jules the kitten understands that hugs make the world a better place. He makes a “Hug To-Do List” and travels the world to show all the animals that he cares.

14. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool by James Dean (Ages 4 - 8)
Pete the cat thinks that Valentine’s Day is not cool until he realizes just how many special cats he has in his life.

Published: February 5, 2014