When Valentine’s Day rolls around, your classroom should be filled with hearts and love (and maybe even a little candy!). Why not introduce them to a few lovable characters to help teach them about love of all kinds? We’ve rounded up 50 of our favorite funny, silly, sweet stories in this list of Valentine’s Day books for kids.
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Wilford and Blue, Be My Valentine by Rebecca and James McDonald
Down on the farm, Wilford is searching for a friend and visits lots of different animals before the story ends with an unexpected surprise.
Buy it: Wilford and Blue, Be My Valentine at Amazon
2. Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out by Suzanne Lang
“Jim Panzee” is grumpy about Valentine’s Day until his good friend teaches him that the holiday is for everyone.
Buy it: Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out at Amazon
3. How To Catch a Loveosaurus by Alice Walstead
Your students will love this STEM-informed Valentine’s tale and be inspired to spread kindness on Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Buy it: How To Catch a Loveosaurus at Amazon
4. Smooch! by Karen Kilpatrick
Full of diverse characters and charming rhyming text, this is one of those Valentine’s Day books you can read year-round. It teaches kids that a kiss can represent the love that connects us all.
Buy it: Smooch! at Amazon
5. Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms
There are so many kinds of love, and you’ll find a wide variety of them in this book about a farmer’s daughter and the new boy in town, who really needs a friend.
Buy it: Love Grows Everywhere at Amazon
6. Celebrating Valentine’s Day by Shannon Anderson
This is like a bunch of Valentine’s Day books all in one! Kids learn history, traditions, folklore, and more. Plus, they’ll get ideas for ways to celebrate the holiday themselves.
Buy it: Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Amazon
7. Valentine’s Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Mrs. Hartwell planned the perfect Valentine’s Day party for her class, but somehow, everything goes wrong! She’s full of jitters, but her students soon let her know how much fun they’re having—and how much they care about her.
Buy it: Valentine’s Day Jitters at Amazon
8. What Is Love? by Mac Barnett
When a little boy asks his grandmother, “What Is Love?” she sends him out in the world to find out. He discovers that love is something different to every person, but it’s important to all of us.
Buy it: What Is Love? at Amazon
9. I Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi
Silly, humorous, and sweet all at the same time, this adorably illustrated book will be sure to give your little people the warm fuzzies.
Buy it: I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home
10. The ABCs of Love by Rose Rossner
This colorful board book has loving words for every letter of the alphabet. Toddlers will adore it, but you can also use it with older kids. Have them brainstorm their own loving words for each letter!
Buy it: The ABCs of Love at Amazon
11. Love Around the World by Alli Brydon
Love is universal, but we all show it differently. Travel around the world and learn about henna patterns on Indian brides, Welsh love spoons, and more.
Buy it: Love Around the World at Amazon
12. The Dinosaurs Valentine’s Day by Jessica Brady
Logan the dinosaur creates from his heart as he crafts a custom Valentine’s card for each of his friends, capturing what he loves best about each one.
Buy it: The Dinosaurs Valentine’s Day at Amazon
13. I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde
Bring a sense of mindfulness to your classroom with books in the I Am series. In this one, kids learn how love can help you overcome difficult times. It includes yoga poses for kids to try too!
Buy it: I Am Love: A Book of Compassion at Amazon
14. Love From the Crayons by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Our favorite guys from The Day the Crayons Quit are back. And this time, they’re learning all about love.
Buy it: Love From the Crayons at Amazon
15. A Little Spot of Love by Diane Alber
How do you show the people in your life how much you love them? Spot shows the many ways—from listening and being kind to hugs and high fives.
Buy it: A Little Spot of Love at Amazon
16. The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
When Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel find an anonymous love letter, it causes a chain reaction of warm fuzzies.
Buy it: The Love Letter at Amazon
17. Sealed With a Kiss by Beth Ferry
Seal is new to the National Zoo, and she is eager to make new friends. But she doesn’t exactly get a rousing reception until a wise sparrow convinces the other animals to surprise Seal with a special treat.
Buy it: Sealed With a Kiss at Amazon
18. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
An updated version of the beloved classic, with an afterword by the author. It’s one of those Valentine’s Day books that showcase the invisible bonds we all hold with the ones we love.
Buy it: The Invisible String at Amazon
19. Bagel in Love by Natasha Wing
What’s a bagel to do when he can’t find a partner to enter the Cherry Jubilee dance competition? This title may be full of sentimental lines, but it has important messages about self-confidence and encouragement.
Buy it: Bagel in Love at Amazon
20. How Do I Love Thee? by Jennifer Adams
A reimagining of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s iconic love poem charmingly illustrated and told in kid-friendly language. It’s one of our favorite Valentine’s Day books!
Buy it: How Do I Love Thee? at Amazon
21. Hugs & Kisses for the Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day books for kids who love Eric Carle, check out this title. Even the grouchiest of ladybugs deserves love! This sweet story is all about making the world kinder, one friend at a time.
Buy it: Hugs & Kisses for the Grouchy Ladybug at Amazon
22. Love by Matt de la Peña
There’s no shortage of rave reviews for this title—and rightfully so, as it manages to sum up the most complex emotion of all for readers young and old.
Buy it: Love at Amazon
23. Groggle’s Monster Valentine by Diana Murray
Will Groggle ever finish making the perfect valentine for “beast” friend Snarlina? Not if he can’t control his impulsive appetite!
Buy it: Groggle’s Monster Valentine at Amazon
24. Valentine’s Day Jokes for Kids by Chrissy Voeg
Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope? A: I’m stuck on you! Your students will love this joke and more in this collection of good, clean Valentine-themed humor.
Buy it: Valentine’s Day Jokes for Kids at Amazon
25. Little Ant’s Valentine by S.M.R. Saia
A pint-sized Taming of the Shrew tale featuring Little Ant (who hates Valentine’s Day) and the pretty but-snooty-girl ant he hopes to win over.
Buy it: Little Ant’s Valentine at Amazon
26. This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins
Can a valentine be a valentine if it isn’t flowery and pink? Let this ode to friendship help you and your students decide.
Buy it: This Is Not a Valentine at Amazon
27. Heart 2 Heart by Lois Ehlert
This palm-size treasure features the author’s signature cut-paper collage illustrations and clever messages using letters, numbers, and pictures of fruits and vegetables—perfect classroom Valentine’s inspiration.
Buy it: Heart to Heart at Amazon
28. What the World Needs Now Is Love by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
These classic song lyrics now have beautiful illustrations to accompany them because the world needs love on Valentine’s Day—and every other day too!
Buy it: What the World Needs Now Is Love at Amazon
29. Love Is by Diane Adams
I’m not crying, you’re crying. This tender story of a girl’s year taking care of a baby duckling is perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime your heart needs a little warming.
Buy it: Love Is at Amazon
30. Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace
Caring animal friends scheme to make sure Groundhog can make it to Moose’s Valentine’s Day party. Hit two February holidays at once with this title!
Buy it: Groundhug Day at Amazon
31. Click, Clack, Moo I Love You! by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Duck’s vision for his Valentine’s Day celebration includes streamers, hearts, glitter, and a good time for all. An unexpected guest helps it come together.
Buy it: Click, Clack, Moo I Love You! at Amazon
32. Valensteins by Ethan Long
The Fright Club doesn’t have much experience with love. They wonder: What is Fran K. Stein making out of pink paper, and what will he do with it?
Buy it: Valensteins at Amazon
33. When an Elephant Falls in Love by Davide Cali
Sweet with just the right amount of silliness, students and teachers will both be rooting for Elephant as he navigates his first real crush.
Buy it: When an Elephant Falls in Love at Amazon
34. Love Matters Most by Mij Kelly
A beautiful rhyming winter’s tale about a mother polar bear and her search for her lost little cub.
Buy it: Love Matters Most at Amazon
35. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
One of the most delightful Valentine’s Day books, this is one that is a celebration of love, with a message about equality, in all its splendid forms.
Buy it: Worm Loves Worm at Amazon
36. Mr. Goat’s Valentine by Eve Bunting
Another heartwarming tale from one of our favorite authors. How will Mr. Goat find the perfect present to give his first love?
Buy it: Mr. Goat’s Valentine at Amazon
37. The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story by Nancy Rose
Will Mr. Peanuts ever find that special someone to spend his life with? Find out in this love story featuring Nancy Rose’s hilariously staged photos.
Buy it: The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story at Amazon
38. Chick ‘n’ Pug: The Love Pug by Jennifer Sattler
This clever story about friendship shows that there is always enough love to go around.
Buy it: Chick ’n’ Pug: The Love Pug at Amazon
39. Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright
When a box of chocolates is left on Love Monster’s door, he struggles between keeping them all for himself and sharing them with the ones he loves.
Buy it: Love Monster and the Last Chocolate at Amazon
40. Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
From the author of the beloved favorite The Very Hungry Caterpillar, follow along as the caterpillar munches through all the ways to tell the special people in your life how much you love them.
Buy it: Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar at Amazon
41. Ollie’s Valentine by Olivier Dunrea
Ollie goes on a search for his perfect valentine in this love-themed installment of the Gossie & Friends series.
Buy it: Ollie’s Valentine at Amazon
42. Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Love by Kimberly and James Dean
A silly collection of famous quotes about love from our favorite cool cat.
Buy it: Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Love at Amazon
43. Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Cat is a grouchy feline who is not interested in mushy old Valentine’s Day. A charming story with a sweet lesson.
Buy it: Here Comes Valentine Cat at Amazon
44. Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game by Candlewick Press
Peppa loves many things, but when she and her family play the I Love You Game, she learns what she loves most of all.
Buy it: Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game at Amazon
45. The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
One of our favorite Valentine’s Day books, this one is a celebration of love and friendship by favorite actor, singer, and author Julie Andrews and her daughter.
Buy it: The Very Fairy Princess: Valentines from the Heart at Amazon
46. Baby Penguins Love Their Mama! by Melissa Guion
Mama penguin spends her days caring lovingly for her little ones. Do they know how much she cares? Delightfully illustrated in gorgeous watercolor.
Buy it: Baby Penguins Love Their Mama! at Amazon
47. Here Comes a Kiss by Stacy McCleary and David Cornish
A sweet rhyming story of a day filled with loving smooches.
Buy it: Here Comes a Kiss at Amazon
48. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
The main character of this heartwarming tale is a sweet snuggle bug who can’t get enough hugs.
Buy it: Hug Machine at Amazon
49. One Love adapted by Cedella Marley
Bob Marley’s beloved song comes to life in this picture book adapted by his eldest daughter. You can read this aloud or have kids learn to sing along instead.
Buy it: One Love at Amazon
50. The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda A. Ferber
Follow along as the valentine Leon makes for his secret love comes to life and hits the road saying, “Love is yucky. Stinky too. It will turn your brain to goo!” leaving Leon to chase behind in crazy pursuit.
Buy it: The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever at Amazon
If you liked these Valentine’s Day books for kids, check out Sweet Educational Valentine’s Day Videos That Kids Will Love.
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