Occasions by Shakira

Valentine’s Day Book List

Just a reminder that for all of the books below, if you scroll over the title of the book, next to the number, and click, the link will take you directly to the Amazon Prime affiliate link to shop. You can add them to your wish list that way as well; to purchase in the future.

1. Love Grows Everywhere

by Barry Timms and illustrated by Tisha Lee

This beautiful and warmly-told story teaches us that love really does grow everywhere, in all shapes, forms, and sizes.

2. Heart String

by Brooke Boynton-Hughes

Through backyards and neighborhoods, over mountains, and across oceans, this colorful heart string ties us all together. Out of sight yet undeniable, it joins our hearts so that we are never truly alone.

3. A Valentine for Uni the Unicorn

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Pictures based on art by Brigette Barrager

Make any day Valentine’s Day with this perfect gift for little unicorn lovers! Return to the world of the magical bestseller Uni the Unicorn with this original board book especially for little ones.

4. Love, Escargot

by Dashka Slater pictures by Sydney Hanson

Today is Snailentine’s Day, and Escargot is on his way to a party. Will his Snailentine be there? Maybe he will find another snail who also likes to read books and eat salad with a light vinaigrette.

5. Smooch!

by Karen Kilpatrick illustrated German Blanco

This lively, heartwarming picture book for all ages highlights the permanence of love and connections between loved ones. Both humorous and endearing, Smooch! is a fresh take on the expression of love that is relevant, relatable, and reassuring.

6. Crocodiles Need Kisses Too

by Rebecca Colby illustrations by Penelope Dullaghan

Fun-to-read-aloud, rhyming text describes prickly porcupines, roaring tigers, and slithery snakes–not the most cuddly creatures, but still worthy of hugs and snuggles from their mamas! With a luscious and colorful palette, Crocodiles Need Kisses Too shows that animals (and children) don’t have to be warm and fuzzy to be totally lovable.

7. Harvey The Heart Had Too Many Farts

by Jane Bexley

Poor Harvey, he’s just a little heart with too many farts and it’s driving away his friends! Will he ever find someone who can love him the way he is? Get ready to giggle your way through this rhyming tale of silly toot situations and friendship.
This book is appropriate for ALL AGES who don’t mind silly toot humor (that is not overly gross). Words used include: toot, fart, gas, booty, and bum.

8. Zombie in Love

by Kelly DiPucchio illustrated by Scott Campbell

Mortimer is looking for love. And he’s looking everywhere! He’s worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn’t keep falling off). He’s tried ballroom dancing lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff). He’s even been on stalemate.com. How’s a guy supposed to find a ghoul? When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer’s dreams be just one horrifying shriek away?

9. Love, Z

by Jessie Sima

When a small robot named Z discovers a message in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice,” they decide to find out what “love” means. Unable to get an answer from the other robots, they leave to embark on an adventure that will lead them to Beatrice—and back home again, where love was hiding all along.

10. Love Is

by Diane Adams illustrated by Claire Keane

This beautifully illustrated book tells the moving story of a little girl and a duckling who both grow to understand what it means to care for each other as they learn that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding on.

11. Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine

by Jonathan Stutzman illustrated Jay Fleck

Valentine’s Day is coming, which means showing the ones you love how much they mean to you, so Tiny has decided to make the perfect Valentine for his best friend Pointy. But as Tiny discovers, making a Valentine isn’t easy. It might take a few tries—until Tiny realizes the best Valentine might have been there all along.

12. L is for Love

by Greg Paprocki

Valentine’s Day is a time to reflect on the themes of love and friendship, and what better way to introduce toddlers to these concepts than with a new ABC volume from artist Greg Paprocki. The book’s 26 fully illustrated pages take aim just like Cupid’s arrow at lovebirds, sweethearts, BFFs, and secret admirers. Part of the BabyLit Alphabet Series.

13. Hair Love

by Matthew A. Cherry illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her — and her hair — happy.

14. Love is a Truck

by Amy Novesky illustrated Sara Gillingham

Graphically appealing two-color illustrations pair perfectly with a spare, rhythmic ode to beloved trucks of all kinds – from fire trucks to dump trucks to ice cream trucks, the sweetest trucks of all – and to the kid who loves and collects them, Love Is a Truck follows Love Is a Tutu (our ballet-inspired ode to tutus and toe shoes) in our Love Is series. A smaller square format with thick, sturdy pages, make these little picture books perfect for young readers, ages 2-6, and for reading aloud again and again.

15. A Crankenstein Valentine

by Samantha Berger illustrated by Dan Santat

Cheesy cards, allergy-inducing bouquets, and heart-shaped everything? YECHHHH! It’s enough to turn anyone into a monster! An ordinary kid becomes Crankenstein on the most lovey-dovey, yuckiest day of the year: Valentine’s Day.

16. This is Not a Valentine

by Carter Higgins illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about? 

17. Love is a Tutu

by Amy Novesky illustrated by Sara Gillingham

This beautifully designed and playfully illustrated novelty board book is the perfect starting point for tiny ballerinas and parents alike. Sweet and spare rhymes prance across the pages, engaging the reader with real ballet terms and plenty of pink. Parents and toddlers together will sigh Bravo as they turn off the light.

18. Valensteins

by Ethan Long

Something strange is in the air on this dark, cold night.

The members of Fright Club are always ready to scare, but tonight Fran K. Stein has something else on his mind. He’s busy making something, and the other monsters want to know what it is.

Could it be a mask with fangs? A big pink nose? Or maybe a paper butt? No . . . it’s a Valentine!

19. The Calendar Kids Meet February

by April Martin

February is a lovable character! With her adorable heart themed outfit and love for friends, February teaches young children about the month of February in a unique way. Throughout the story we share all that February loves. From her pet Groundhog to her Black History Month studies and most of all… making special valentines cards for friends. February spends day after day creating her unique cards until one day, she loses them! She looks all over for them with no luck, but with the help of friends, February is ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
xoxo, Shakira

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