The Best Valentine’s Day Picture Books!

Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite holidays for children’s books. While we think Valentine’s books are particularly adorable, more importantly, many teach kids about love, kindness, and feelings.

Below we’ve rounded up some of my favorite picture books for Valentine’s Day. While some are holiday-themed, other titles on this list are a good read for any day of the year.

For more gift ideas, check out our Valentine’s Day Hub.

A girl sitting on a pink pillow reading a Valentine's Day picture book.
Feature image via @thriftylittles

Valentine’s Day Picture Books

1 |  Love Is by Diana Adams

A sweet story about a girl and her duckling and how they care for each other as they grow. After raising her duckling, it’s time to let the duckling spread her wings and go out into the world. Get the tissues ready, as the metaphor for parenting may leave you teary-eyed.


2 |  Love From the Crayons by Drew Daywalt

Your favorite crew of crayons is back for this adorable love-themed spin-off, where they explore the bright colors and shades of love. “Love is yellow and orange. Because love is sunny and warm.” 

And so you know what to expect, this book is smaller than the original but great for gifting.


3 |  I Heart You by Meg Fleming

This heartwarming book is a sweet affirmation of a parent’s love for their child. As the young animals try new things, their parents reassure them.


4 |  Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler

Despite Mirabel’s nervousness, she makes Valentine’s Day cards for her classmates. Unfortunately, the cards fall out of her bag on the way to school. But those valentines brighten up the day of everyone who finds them!


5 |  Love, Z by Jessie Sima

Robot Z had never heard the word “love” until he found a message in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice.” He sets out on an adventure to find Beatrice and what the message means. Along the way, he encounters many creatures happy to help explain the meaning of love, but none of it computes with Z.

Finally, he meets Beatrice, and she teaches him in a way he understands.


6 |  Lola Dutch I Love You So Much by Kenneth Wright

The newest in the Lola Dutch series, and it’s just perfect for Valentine’s Day! Lola Dutch is a creative girl who loves her friends so much. And when they’re having a bad day, she knows just what to do to make them feel better.


7 |  I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi

“I will love you till the cows come home from a trip to Mars through skies unknown, in a rocket made of glass and stone…I will love you til the cows come home.”

This one is funny, sweet, and sure to be a favorite for you and your kids.


8 |  Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater

Bonjour, today is Snailentine’s Day! Escargot (the well-dressed and mannerly snail) has been invited to a party and hopes his Snailentine is there. But it turns out a vole and not a snail is hosting the party – oh no! At first, Escargot wants to hide in his shell, but perhaps he will meet a new friend instead.


9 |  In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek

Our hearts can feel happiness, bravery, anger, calmness, sadness, and silliness. This book shows the heart has a range of emotions and describes how they feel on the inside. It’s an excellent book for helping kids identify and express their feelings.


10 |  The Hug by Eoin McLaughlin

A hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug, but for some reason, all the animals they come across won’t hug them. A wise owl explains to them that hedgehog is too spiky and tortoise is too bony. And that’s when they find each other and, in doing so, learn that there’s someone for everyone!


11 |  The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise

Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are good friends. One day, they each find a letter they thought was for them. And it wasn’t just any letter but a love letter! The letter made them feel so loved until they learned it was a mix-up. But a marvelous mix-up!


12 |  Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle

The newest addition to this beloved series! Go along with Little Blue Truck as he delivers Valentines to his friends. He feels happy as he gives cards to his friends but starts to wonder if he will also receive a Valentine.


13 |  I Love You Like No Otter by Sophie Corrigan

“Some bunny loves you.” “You have my seal of approval.”

This book is full of “punny ways” to say I love you, so if your child loves jokes, this one is for them. And after reading together, you’ll have a variety of ways to share your love!


14 |  Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli

On Valentine’s Day, the postman delivers to Mr. Hatch a mysterious package with a big pink bow. He is a lonely and quiet man, and this one small thing changes him in a big way. Then one day, Mr. Hatch learns the package was delivered to him by mistake.

We don’t want to give too much away, but this is the sweetest story about simple acts of kindness.


15 | Crocodiles Need Kisses Too by Rebecca Colby

You’ll have fun reading the repetitive, rhyming text in this one to your kids! It doesn’t matter how prickly the porcupine, slippery the snake, or ragged the snake. All animals need hugs and loves from their mama.


16 | Moo-Moo, I Love You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I love you no matter your moo-d. I love giving you a big s-moo-ch.”

If you are aMOOsed by cow puns (sorry, couldn’t resist), then definitely add this playful book to the list. It’s an ode to the loving relationship between a parent cow and their child, and the playful text will have your little one giggling.


17 | There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Colandro

Our favorite old lady has returned, swallowing all sorts of wacky things to make a special gift for her Valentine. With rhyming text and funny illustrations, every book from this series is a delight and guaranteed to be read on repeat!


18 | Love is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark

Plum has lots of favorite things–treats, playing catch, her bear–but LOVE is at the top of that list. Sometimes, however, Plum can’t help being naughty. Fortunately, even when she makes mistakes, Plum’s family still adores her.

The Best Valentine\'s Day Picture Books!

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