Valentine’s Day is right around the corner—and if you have book-loving kids, you might be looking for the best Valentine’s Day books for children to keep them entertained, inspired, and excited about the holiday.
One of my favorite Valentine’s Day traditions has always been reading themed books with my daughters in the days leading up to the holiday. It’s a simple way to teach them about love, kindness, and friendship—and it also gives me a meaningful, educational alternative to candy and toys. Over the years, these stories have become some of our sweetest Valentine’s Day memories.
Below are our favorite Valentine’s Day books for kids, spanning toddlers through elementary-age readers—books we’ve read, re-read, and genuinely loved as a family.
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While not strictly a Valentine’s Day book, Counting Kisses was one of the very first books I bought for my girls as babies. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by learning to count through kisses? Reading this book was one of our favorite ways to wind down a bit at the end of the day or before nap time.
I adore Cynthia Rylant--and was so happy to find this book when sorting through our book basket this week! My girls loved following along as the little boy in the story made Valentine’s for his family, friends and pets. It’s a great book to encourage your little ones to express their emotions and creativity toward those they love. We always read this before sitting down to make homemade Valentine’s Day cards—it’s a gentle reminder that love comes in many forms.
My girls always wanted to measure how much they loved me or their dad. My youngest gave up a few years ago and simply began saying, “I love you most”. It’s hard to out-measure that! With multiple formats available (board books, pop-ups, hardcover), this is a beautiful Valentine’s Day read for all ages.
My youngest girls were completely devoted to the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books—and this Valentine’s version was a February library staple for years. Sweet, simple, and familiar, it’s perfect for preschoolers who love routine characters.
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
When I recently unpacked a box of childhood books, I found my original copy of Clifford’s Valentines tucked inside. I loved Clifford then—and I love him even more now as a mom. These stories are simple, warm, and always rooted in love, forgiveness, and kindness—exactly what Valentine’s Day should be about.
Why Valentine’s Day Books Matter
I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day—not just for the cards and crafts, but for the way kids lean into it with pure excitement. Reading Valentine’s Day books together, talking about love, and slowing down for these small moments were some of my favorite parts of parenting young children.
Enjoy them while you can—those moments go so fast.
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