16 heartwarming Valentine’s books for your little love bug

What better way to celebrate love than with one of baby lit’s most beloved characters? It’s a sweet addition to the bookshelf year round and one they’ll come back to over and over again.

Toddlers delight in hearing this loved-filled board book and getting all the love and affection that’s pictured on every page.

For fans of the Little Blue Truck (and the parents who’ve got it memorized backward and forward), this Valentine twist is a welcome addition to the rotation. With a familiar rhyming cadence and charming illustrations it’s just as sweet as the original.

With its bold colors and rhyming tale of nocturnal animals showing love throughout the night, this new title from Mudpuppy is destined to become a favorite. (Just like the original, Love in the Wild!)

In this charming addition to the “If You Give a…” series, the enthusiastic little mouse decides to make valentines for all of his friends, carefully choosing the perfect valentine for each one. Through this sweet story of friendship and thoughtfulness, Mouse shows young readers that the best part of Valentine’s Day is letting others know you care about them.

Initially skeptical about all the Valentine’s Day hoopla, our favorite groovy blue cat Pete discovers there’s nothing uncool about showing love for all the special people in his life. As Pete creates thoughtful cards for his friends, family, and even his teacher, kids will get caught up in his infectious enthusiasm and learn that sharing kindness is the coolest thing of all.

In this heartwarming board book, little Llama Llama shows all the sweet ways he shares love with his family and friends–from making cards and giving hugs to sharing his favorite snacks. Perfect for the youngest readers, this cozy story captures the simple joys of showing kindness and affection to those we care about most.

In this hilarious Valentine’s Day twist on the classic cumulative tale, our favorite old lady is up to her usual antics–but this time she’s swallowing Valentine’s-themed items like roses, hearts, and cards. Kids will crack up at the increasingly silly situations while they wait to see what this zany character is creating with everything she gulps down.

In this visually striking celebration of love, renowned artist Lois Ehlert uses her signature collage style to transform hearts into everything from flowers and suns to fish and cats, all while playing with language through clever wordplay and puns. Her bold, graphic illustrations burst with color and creativity, making this a perfect valentine for art-loving kids and a delightful way to explore how the simple shape of a heart can become something extraordinary.

A magical story unfolds when Cornelia Augusta discovers it’s raining hearts one winter day and begins catching them to create unique, personalized valentines for all her friends. Young readers will be delighted by the whimsical idea of hearts falling from the sky like snowflakes, while also learning about the thoughtfulness that goes into making each valentine special for its recipient.

A tender, lyrical story, Love Is captures the essence of love through a little girl’s experience caring for a lost duckling–from late-night feedings to muddy footprints to the bittersweet moment of letting go. It’s a gentle metaphor for the way love grows and changes, making it perfect for both Valentine’s Day reading and any time parents want to talk with little ones about how love sometimes means watching those we care about spread their wings.

This refreshingly different take on Valentine’s Day follows a kid who insists the small, thoughtful things they do for their friend – like saving them a swing at recess or sharing a special rock – are definitely NOT valentines. Through playful denial and sweet everyday moments, Higgins captures what real friendship looks like beyond the hearts and doilies, showing kids that genuine affection is found in the little ways we pay attention to and care for each other.

In this sweet story about friendship and teamwork, Clayton and Desmond both want to make the biggest valentine ever for their teacher–but they quickly learn that working solo isn’t nearly as fun (or successful) as working together. Through lots of glitter, paper hearts, and a few creative disagreements, these determined friends discover that the best valentines come from collaboration and compromise.

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. And sometimes that looks like reading Valentine’s Day books about farts. Meet Harvey, a heart who has a rather gassy problem that’s making Valentine’s Day quite the challenge! This giggle-inducing story follows Harvey as he tries to spread love and friendship while dealing with an incredibly bubbly tummy. Through silly situations and playful rhymes, kids learn that even when things aren’t perfect (and sometimes especially then), friendship and acceptance are what matter most.

This tender story stands out in the Valentine’s Day genre as one of the few picture books that authentically captures what it feels like to have a same-gender crush in elementary school. As shy Violet works up the courage to give a valentine to Mira, whose “smile makes Violet’s heart flutter like petals in the wind,” young readers experience both the universal butterflies of first love and the important representation of LGBTQ+ youth seeing their feelings reflected in a sweet, age-appropriate way.

In this touching classic, Mr. Hatch, a lonely and predictable man, has his world transformed when he receives a mysterious Valentine’s Day package with a note saying “Somebody Loves You.” The simple possibility that someone cares about him changes everything–Mr. Hatch starts smiling at neighbors, sharing his butterscotch candies, and discovering that love grows best when you share it with others.