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I’ve never been big into celebrating Valentine’s Day, but now that I have a child, there does seem to be at least one decent reason to recognize the day—making a point to remind kids about being kind and loving. After all, there is no requirement that a Valentine be about romantic love, and any day that champions kindness and appreciation is one I can get behind.
There are great new additions to the holiday tradition as well, like Galentine’s and Palentine’s Days that celebrate friendship. Ultimately, they are reminders that showing love to your closest friends is just as important as showing it to a partner—and maybe even more so, since we have fewer opportunities.
With that in mind, I have a few recommendations for Valentine’s Day books for kids that capture the spirit of the holiday at its best: being thoughtful, generous, and loving.
All Access members, read on for five Valentine’s Day books for kids.
Is This Love? by Cedella Marley and Alea Marley
This is adapted from the lyrics of Bob Marley’s Is This Love? by his eldest child, Cedella. Here, the illustrations show two sisters growing up as best friends, and the sentiment is heart-meltingly sweet. The older child teaches her little sister how to build with blocks, use a hula hoop, and ride bikes. With those examples and more, it’s a sweet portrayal of how families love and support each other.
Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day by Vera Ahiyya and Debby Rahmalia
In this detailed Valentine’s Day story, the kids make friendship cards and are reminded by a teacher to do one for each of their classmates. Overall, I like this book’s version of celebrating the holiday; it is gentler, more thoughtful, and inclusive. This is the kind of Valentine’s Day book I can get behind!
Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler and Olivia Chin Mueller
Mirabel is a shy little cat who trembles nervously at the idea of giving out Valentines. As she starts on her way to school with her homemade Valentines bundled in her bag, she keeps misplacing them. The dropped cards are scooped up gratefully by Mirabel’s neighbours, but when she realizes that they’ve gotten lost and she gets upset, her kind neighbours return them. In the end, Mirabel’s community interactions make her feel braver about giving her cards to her classmates. It will definitely give you warm fuzzies.
We All Love by Julie Flett (Releasing on Feb 26, 2026)
Flett’s gorgeous art reveals ways in which animals and children show love. A big turtle rolls a stuck little turtle off its back, while kids hang upside down in trees playing and holding each other. Bunnies snuggle in a burrow while a grandparent sits by a campfire with two children. The text, written in English and Cree, is minimal, making it a good pick for toddlers and older babies, and a gentle way to explain love.
Bobby and the Big Valentine by Timmy Woitas and Addy Rivera Sonda
The art is bursting with vibrancy and charm in this story about a little boy named Bobby who wants to make a Valentine’s card for his beloved best friend, Eddie. He worries, though, that his love for Eddie isn’t mutual, but spoiler alert, it is! This is a wholesome and heartfelt picture book about hope.
These five Valentine’s Day-friendly books will help make for a great introduction to the concepts of love and kindness for kids. Though we are living through challenging times, hopefully your holiday is filled with goodwill and caring.
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