Kids Books About Love for Every Day of the Year
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate the people you love. This collection of books showcases love of all kinds. It includes books about self-love, friendship, first crushes and intergenerational and family relationships. Each of the books on this list can be treasured and read during Valentine’s Day, and on any other day of the year.
We’ve also included directions on how to complete a process art collage that’s perfect for this time of year! We love this art activity because there is no one right way to go about it - children of all ages can enjoy it and make it their own.
Visit our Bookshop page to purchase and/or donate the books on this list.
Process Art Collage
Supplies:
Cardstock paper
Sponges
Paint
Tissue paper
Glue
Gems, feathers, glitter glue, or anything else you have on hand
Step 1: First, use sponges to sponge paint the entire paper. Kids can use a variety of colors and sponge as much or as little as they would like.
Step 2: Next, when the paint is still wet, add glue. This can be really fun if you let kids take control - for once, it’s totally okay to add globs of glue all over the paper! Take tissue paper and stick it in the glue. Again, the how does not matter as long as kids take creative control and enjoy the process.
Step 3: For this last step, we chose to add glitter glue and gems. You can use whatever you have on hand, such as feathers, torn wrapping or scrapbook paper, foam stickers, googly eyes, and more! Have fun!
Board Book Recommendations
Together: A First Conversation About Love
Authors: Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli | Illustrator: Andy Passchier | Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop
Together: A First Conversation About Love is one of our Books We Love this month! This inclusive and interactive board book helps answer important questions kids have about love, relationships and families. “It’s never too early to begin the conversation!”
My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day
Author: Jabari Asim |Illustrator: Nicole Whitaker | Publisher: HarperFestival
This is the sweetest Valentine's Day tribute for little ones! Follow Baby and her kitty, mom and dad, as they celebrate and share love by making Valentine cards, baking, and spending quality time together.
10 Kisses Before Bedtime
Author: Danielle McLean |Illustrator: Ag Jatkowska | Publisher: Tiger Tales
"Follow several families as they prepare for bedtime. Once the child in each family cleans up toys, takes a bubble bath, brushes teeth, and listens to a story before bedtime, hugs are exchanged to celebrate the love that is shared. And once the little ones are tucked in bed, there’s only one thing left—a bedtime kiss! With 10 tactile textures."
Me and My Mama
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford |Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin | Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
“With simple, charming text, and colorful illustrations, Me and My Mama is the perfect way for kids to reflect on the special role their Mama plays in their life and explore the many ways love can be shown!”
For more books with mama love, check out our blog post that celebrates mother figures.
Love Makes a Family
Author/Illustrator: Sophie Beer | Publisher: Dial Books
Sophie Beer is one of our favorite board book creators. Her books are full of engaging and familiar imagery and showcase an inclusive cast of characters.
Besos for Baby: a Little Book of Kisses
Author: Jen Arena | Illustrator: Blanca Gomez | Publisher: LB Kids
This is a sweet bilingual board book that weaves Spanish words into a lyrical and fun text. The illustrations are bright and engaging, and while its fun for Valentine's Day, it's also great for all year round! We also love the board book Sonrisas for Baby: a Little Book of Smiles, and the picture book, Salsa Lullaby, by the same author.
Love You Head to Toe
Author: Ashley Barron | Illustrator: Carolina Buzio | Publisher: Cartwheel Books
This is a special book to give to new parents. It is a sweet and inclusive book that compares babies to animal babies, showing how they both engage in similar behaviors, like filling their cheeks like chipmunks or stretching their limbs like sea stars, and will make every baby feel deeply loved and cherished.
Picture Book Recommendations
Love, Violet
Author: Charlotte Sullivan Wild | Illustrator: Charlene Chua | Publisher: Farrah, Straus & Giroux
This is a truly special book that the book world has needed for a long time. Violet has a crush on her friend, Mira, and every time she gets near her - she gets too nervous to express herself. She has the sweetest plan to give Mira a card for Valentine's Day, but accidentally fumbles it. This book has the best and happiest ending we cannot wait for you to discover. This book will help children feel seen and supported, and encouraged to be exactly who they are (and love whomever they want!)
Amor de colores
Author: Melanie Romero |Illustrator: Citlali Reyes | Publisher: Lil’ Libros
This bright and colorful bilingual book is published by Lil’ Libros. We love this publisher because their books seamlessly weave together English and Spanish words in an engaging and educational way. This book will introduce children to the colorful ways we love around us!
How We Say I Love You
Author: Nicole Chen | Illustrator: Lenny Wen | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
"In this heartwarming picture book, an Asian American girl shares how her family expresses their love for one another through actions rather than words. So many families express their love in all they do for one another, every day. Here is a book that wraps you in a hug and invites your family to share their own special ways of showing love."
A Pinch of Love
Author: Barry Timms | Illustrator: Tisha Lee | Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
“In this beautiful story told in rhyming verse, a boy and his grandmother are preparing for a big neighborhood bake-off. See the loving (and sticky!) moments of their tender relationship, along with the many other warm bonds that exist within their community.”
This book is perfect for anyone who celebrates the love that comes through cooking, baking and sharing food and memories. Don’t miss the other book by this dynamic duo, Love Grows Everywhere!
Bigger Than a Bumblebee
Author/Illustrator: Joseph Kuefler| Publisher: Balzer + Bray
This book is perfect for the animal lover in your life!
"From the small buzzing bumblebee to the expansive and distant stars, the universe is full of marvels. But nothing is quite as awe-inspiring as a parent’s love.
Set against the beauty of the natural world, Bigger Than a Bumblebee is a love letter from parent to child, affirming that no matter where they fit in this world, they are cherished."
When Langston Dances
Author: Kaija Langley|Illustrator: Keith Mallett | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Ever since Langston saw a dance company perform, all he wanted to do was dance ballet - to learn how to do all the beautiful and technical things he saw. His dreams are deeply and beautifully supported by his mother, and together, they find a dance studio for him to join. This is such a joyful and affirming book that breaks traditional gender constructs and shows us a Black boy who loves dance, and has the support of the people who matter most.
If you have sports fans in your lives, don’t miss this collection of sporty books.
I Love You Because I Love You
Author: Muon Thi Van | Illustrator: Jessica Love | Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
This is a beautiful book that showcases the big and small reasons we love each other. It truly shows both the complexity and simplicity of love and all its power to shape our lives. I Love You Because I Love You would be an adorable book to read aloud by two people as kind of a call and response.
From Archie to Zack
Author/Illustrator: Vincent Kirsch | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
When we read that this book is “an unapologetic celebration of friendship and first crushes,” we knew we had to read it. It is a truly delightful book about friendship, and having the strength to express your feelings to someone you care about. Sometimes, we cannot do things alone and this book shows how friendship can give us the burst of courage we need to do what we want.
For more books with queer representation, check out our blog post called Affirming and Gender-Inclusive Books for Kids and Teens.
Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like it!)
Author: Carrie Finison | Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman | Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
When we think about love, we think about boundaries and living life as your authentic self. The relationships in your life should make you feel good and safe. This book helps lay the foundation for kids that body autonomy and consent are crucial parts of healthy relationships.
Doug does NOT like hugs of any kind. He doesn’t like the ones people try and give after a game, or for a birthday celebration, or even the ones that come after a long time of not seeing someone. He’d much prefer a high-five! He makes it clear to his friends and family that the best way to know what’s okay with someone is to ASK!
Still This Love Goes On
Author: Buffy Sainte-Marie | Illustrator: Julie Flett | Publisher: Greystone Kids
“Based on Sainte-Marie’s song of the same name, Still This Love Goes On combines Flett's breathtaking art with vivid lyrics to craft a stunning portrait of a Cree worldview. At the heart of this picture book is a gentle message about missing our loved ones, and the promise of seeing each other again.
Brimming with love for community and the land, Still This Love Goes On is destined to be read and sung for generations.”
You can find more Indigenous book recommendations here.
