15 Heart-Themed Kids Books That Make Valentine’s Day Extra Special ❤️
Valentine’s Day can be so fun for us homeschooling families! Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day unit study, or fun Valentine’s-themed crafts, or sweet books, it can be such a sweet celebration.
As a family, we love to cuddle up with a good book and talk about love, kindness, friendship, and all the big feelings kids are figuring out. Whether you’re reading to toddlers or early readers, these heart-themed children’s books will make your family’s Valentine’s Day (and really, any day) a little sweeter.
Why Reading is So Important for Little Ones?
Reading with young children does far more than build a home library. Reading actively shapes how their brains grow and how they connect with the people around them.
From infancy through early childhood, a child’s brain is developing at an incredible pace. Seriously, it is wild how much kids learn during these stages!! When you read aloud, you’re helping form and strengthen neural connections that support language development, memory, attention span, and emotional regulation.
Hearing stories exposes children to new vocabulary, sentence structure, and concepts long before they can express them themselves. Over time, this lays the foundation for stronger communication skills and early literacy.
But the benefits go well beyond academics.
Reading together is also a powerful way to foster secure relationships and emotional bonding. Sitting close, turning pages together, and sharing a story creates moments of connection. These shared experiences help build trust and attachment, which are essential for healthy emotional development.
Stories—especially those centered on love, kindness, and relationships—also help children make sense of their own feelings and the world around them. When kids see characters navigating friendships, family bonds, or big emotions, they begin to develop empathy and emotional awareness. It opens the door for meaningful conversations like:
“How do you think they felt?”
“What would you do in that situation?”
“Who do you love?”
And in a season like Valentine’s Day, heart-themed books are a gentle way to reinforce that love isn’t just romantic—it’s found in friendships, family, kindness, and everyday moments of care.
With that, here are some of our favorite books for your Valentine’s themed bookshelf!
Related Reads:
🥰 For Toddlers and Preschoolers
1. The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
A whimsical story about a girl who catches hearts from the sky and turns them into one-of-a-kind valentines. Sweet, imaginative, and perfect for preschoolers.
2. Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
From the beloved If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series — Mouse experiences Valentine’s Day hilarity while trying to make the perfect heart for his friends.
3. Love by Emma Dodd
A tender, simple book that defines love in ways little ones can understand — like cuddles, hugs, giggles, and family.
4. I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Not strictly Valentine’s, but all about unconditional love — even if you’re a stinky space pirate.
5. Biscuit’s Valentine’s Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
This precious lift-the-flap book is so fun for little ones!
💌 For Early Readers & Picture Book Fans
6. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
A modern classic about love that never goes away — ideal for kids dealing with separation, loss, or just big emotions.
7. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Perfect for early school days or moments of separation anxiety — a mama raccoon’s sweet way to help her child feel loved when apart.
My child’s homeschool co-op teacher read this during the first week of school, and I always love revisiting the story during times when a little extra tenderness is needed.
8. Love Monster by Rachel Bright
A funny and heartwarming tale about a furry “monster” who just wants to belong and find love — with a gentle lesson about being yourself.
9. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
A timeless, poetic read about a parent and child comparing how much they love each other — perfect for bedtime any day of the year.
10. Happy Valentine’s Day Corduroy
A classic character makes an appearance in a fun Valentine’s Day-themed story.
💖 For Big Feelings & Friendships
11. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Not just about Valentine’s Day, but all about how kindness works and why it matters. This book is a great conversation starter about kindness and emotions.
12. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
A slightly deeper read about protecting your heart and learning how to open it again. This is a lovely for older kids who can sit with a more emotional story.
13. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
This is such a classic and fan fave in my home. It is a gentle story about caring for a friend and what it means to show love through actions. We also love the illustrations.
14. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
A lyrical celebration of connection — family, nature, and the “all of it” kind of love that wraps around us.
15. Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy
A sweet story about kindness and making new friends, perfectly relatable for young elementary kids.
📚 Quick Tips for Celebrating With These Books
Turn readings into traditions. Pick one book to read together every year on Valentine’s morning.
Pair books with simple activities. After The Day It Rained Hearts, let kids design homemade valentines.
Ask questions as you read. “How would you feel if that happened to you?” helps build emotional vocabulary.
Make it about the heart, not just the candy. These stories are great for talking about kindness, empathy, and gratitude.
What are some of your family’s favorite Valentine-themed books? We would love to hear!
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