Valentine's Day might be my girls favorite holiday. We pretty much live for all things pink and anything with a heart on it. That's why as soon as January rolls around, I like to switch out all of the Christmas books for Valentine's Day books. If you need some ideas, I've got you covered with this list of Valentines books for kids!
These board books and picture books are beautifully illustrated and the stories are so heartwarming. Plus they're an easy way to introduce what love, friendship, and caring about others looks like.
If you're looking for ways to make the holiday feel extra special for your kids, you can add a couple of these books to a Valentine's Day basket or pairing one with my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for kids. They would also make a great Valentine's Day gift for kids — along with a cute card and some yummy treats, of course. And if you’re also planning classroom exchanges or need something beyond books, don’t miss these fun kids Valentines ideas for school and friends.
And because moms do everything during Valentine’s season, consider this your reminder to treat yourself too. Once the kids are tucked in, take a moment with something just for you from our list of favorite self-care ideas for busy moms because you deserve a little love, too.
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The Best Valentine's Day Books for Kids by Age
If you need the best Valentine's Day books fast, start here.
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Best Valentine's Book for Babies: Llama Llama I Love You
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Best Valentine's Day Book for Preschoolers: Love, Splat
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Best Valentine’s Day Books for Elementary-Age Kids: Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
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Best Classic Valentine's Book: Guess How Much I Love You
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Best Interactive Valentine's Book: You’re My Little Cuddle Bug
My Favorite Valentine's Day Books for Kids
Love from the Crayons
My kids love the Crayons series. Perfect for ages 2+, this sweet book is a great addition to your collection of Valentines Day books for kids. Love is yellow and orange. Because love is sunny and warm. Love is purple. Because it's okay to love outside the lines.
Guess How Much I Love You
A moving story between father and son that shows just how far their love goes — to the moon and back! This cherished tale of boundless affection is perfect for all ages and still warms my heart every time my kids and I read this book. While I'm putting it on my list of Valentines books for kids, it can really be read anytime of the year.
Little Blue Truck's Valentine
"Beep!" said Blue. "Happy Valentine's Day!" This sweet edition of our favorite toddler book series will teach your little one about love, thoughtfulness, and friendship. Each page shows Little Blue Truck delivering custom Valentine's Day cards to his farm animal friends — and ends with a cute surprise for Little Blue Truck. Great for ages 1+.
Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day Is Cool
The Pete the Cat series is a favorite of my kids! At first, Pete thinks Valentine's Day isn't cool...until he realizes all the special cats there are in his life. This Valentines book for kids is extra special because it comes with a Pete the Cat poster, stickers, and 12 punch-out cards for Valentine's Day.
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart
My girls love the Fancy Nancy series. Almost everything about Valentine's Day is fancy . . . especially with Fancy Nancy! Kids will love to follow along as Fancy Nancy celebrates Valentine's Day with her friends and family — and receives a card from a secret admirer. This Valentines book for kids also includes stickers!
Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine
The cutest Valentine's Day book for your dinosaur lover! As Tiny T. Rex tries his best to make the perfect card for his best friend, he realizes their friendship is the best gift of all. Perfect for ages 1+, you can also use this book to point out how Tiny T. Rex keeps trying to achieve his goal, despite all the obstacles, and the range of emotions he feels.
Love Is a Truck
If your little one loves trucks, this sweet, beautifully illustrated book is for you! Each page of this Valentines book for kids compares love to a truck — from fire trucks to dump trucks and more. While this story is recommended for 1+, the high contrast illustrations make it a great one for babies, too.
You're My Little Cuddle Bug
A sweet board book with simple rhymes and colorful cutouts, perfect for quiet moments with your little one. And who doesn't love adorable insects?
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!
My kids love every book with Mouse! Yes, this is the same mouse from the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series. In this Valentines book for kids, mouse makes each one of his friends a special handwritten card. This book shows kids what it means to be a good friend — and what it looks like to have friends who care about you, too!
The Pink Umbrella
This is a charming story about the power of friendship, love, and pink polka dots to turn rainy days into sunny ones and sadness into joy. I love that it highlights how important your community is — and how we can all take care of one another through small, simple acts of kindness.
Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
My kids loved Eric Carle books when they were little. And this "LOVE' book was a favorite at Valentine's Day! With its beautiful illustrations and simple messaging, like "you make the sun shine brighter," this is a cute Valentines book for kids up to age three.
Love, Splat
Splat the Cat is determined to make the perfect Valentine for Kitten, but things don’t go quite as planned. This sweet and relatable story is all about trying your best, navigating big feelings, and learning that being yourself is what really matters.
Construction Site: You're Just Right
A heartwarming bedtime story that celebrates teamwork and self-acceptance, perfect for little builders who love all things trucks and construction. Each page features a construction vehicle discovering a Valentine surprise. Just lift the flaps to reveal the sweet, personalized messages inside!
The Dinosaurs Valentine's Day
This Valentines book for kids is a fun way to get little ones thinking about what it means to be a good friend. Plus, it features a variety of dinosaurs! In this short and sweet story, one dinosaur makes Valentine's Day cards for all of his dinosaur friends to let them know just how special they are.
My kids love this entire series! There was an old lady who swallowed a rose. I don't know why she swallowed the rose, but that's how it goes.
Harvey The Heart Had Too Many Farts
A laugh-out-loud story packed with giggles and heart, perfect for kids who love silly humor and parents who enjoy sneaky lessons about friendship. This quirky tale will have your family in stitches while celebrating the joys of being uniquely you!
This joyful board book follows a huggable character on a mission to spread hugs to everyone — even the not-so-huggable ones. The simple text and adorable art make it a perfect cuddle-up-on-Valentine’s-morning read that kids will ask for again and again.
One magical Valentine’s Day, hearts literally rain from the sky, and young Cornelia Augusta gathers them up to make the most thoughtful cards for all her friends — each one as unique as they are.
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
The Invisible String
This comforting story reminds kids that we’re always connected to the people we love, even when we’re apart. This book is perfect for Valentine's Day and Back to School.
Love Is My Favorite Thing
Plum is an enthusiastic pup who loves everything, chasing sticks, snuggling her bear, and especially the people who adore her. This joyful picture book celebrates unconditional love and reminds kids that even when mistakes happen, love is always bigger than the mess.
FAQ: Valentine's Day Books for Kids
What are the best Valentine’s Day books for toddlers?
Toddler favorites are Love from the Crayons, Llama Llama I Love You, and Love Is a Truck — short, colorful and perfect for little hands and first concepts of love and friendship.
Are these books good beyond just Valentine’s Day?
Absolutely! Many of these books are timeless stories of love, kindness, and friendship your kids will enjoy year-round, just like Guess How Much I Love You.
When do you bring out your Valentine's Day books?
I switch out our Christmas books for Valentine's Day books as soon as January rolls around. This gives us about six weeks to enjoy them. Storing seasonal books away makes them feel special and keeps my kids excited to see these favorites each year!
Are there Valentine's Day books that teach about friendship and kindness?
Yes! Many of these books go beyond just Valentine's themes. The Pink Umbrella teaches about community kindness, Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! shows what it means to be a thoughtful friend, and Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine demonstrates that the effort we put into relationships matters more than perfection. These are great conversation starters for talking about what love and friendship really mean.
What Valentine's Day books are good for classroom read-alouds?
Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day Is Cool, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose, and Love from the Crayons are classroom favorites! They're engaging, have fun interactive elements, and the messages resonate with groups. The Day It Rained Hearts and Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink also work well because they spark discussions about thoughtfulness and kindness toward classmates.
Are there funny Valentine's Day books?
Absolutely! Harvey The Heart Had Too Many Farts is guaranteed to get giggles, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose is delightfully silly, and Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day Is Cool has that signature Pete humor. Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink is another funny one about a Valentine's mix-up that kids find hilarious. These lighthearted books are perfect for kids who prefer giggles over sentimental stories!
Final Thoughts
Love seasonally themed book recommendations? Check out my favorites!
Have other Valentines books for kids that you love? Share them below for others to see!
