There’s no better way to celebrate the season of love than by immersing young readers in enchanting tales that warm the heart and inspire the imagination. Check out our list of books that are sure to captivate and spark joy in the hearts of the little ones in your life.
Cozy in Love
by Jan Brett
32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593109854 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
After losing a test of strength to another musk ox in his herd, Cozy is convinced he’ll never impress his crush, Lofti. But while he’s sulking, he learns of a bigger concern. His friend Bella, a beluga whale, is still playing in an inlet even though it’s cold enough for ice to form and block her way out. Cozy races to the inlet and, sure enough, Bella is in trouble. Luckily, Cozy thinks of a new way to use his strong legs and tough horns that might help save Bella and win Lofti’s heart as well. Jan Brett’s newest story about this lovable character shows how helping your friends is always the right thing to do – no matter who is watching.
Cupig
Written by Claire Tattersfield
Illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593623107 | Flamingo Books
Cupig absolutely loves Valentine’s Day. Every year she enjoys spreading love and cheer to every creature, far and near. But when a storm blows through and sends her arrows off course, Cupig accidentally puts arrows in hearts that don’t need to be mended. Peanut Butter has stopped loving Jelly! Salt and Pepper have broken up! Needle and Thread are falling apart at the seams! Will Cupig ever fix her mistakes and get these classic pairs back together again? With clever rhyming text and comically expressive art, Cupig is sure to be a Valentine’s Day classic for years to come!
Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love
Written by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke
40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781536230215 | Candlewick
A family has fled their homeland in search of safety in another country, carrying a single suitcase. As their journey unfolds, the oldest child reflects on the special contents of that suitcase: photo albums that evoke eleven of many names for love in Arabic. From sunshine-warm friendship to the love that dissolves all tears; from the love that makes you swoon to the love that leaves you yearning for the heart’s homeland – her family has experienced it all. Illustrated in vibrant watercolor pencil and collage on textured card stock, this moving scrapbook shows a family embracing an unknown future even as they honor the past, casting immigration and the refugee experience in the light of universal human connection.
Flubby Does Not Like Valentine’s Day
by J. E. Morris
32 Pages | Ages 5-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593523421 | Penguin Workshop
Flubby, the cute but aloof cat, is not a fan of Valentine’s Day! Kami wants to give Flubby a gift for Valentine’s Day. But cats can’t read cards, and flowers make Flubby sneeze! Can Kami find the perfect present for her pal? The charming illustrations, simple text, and comic-like panels by J. E. Morris, author-illustrator of the Maud the Koala books, make this a unique format with a narrative style perfect for storytime and progressing readers.
Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out
Written by Suzanne Lang
Illustrated by Max Lang
32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593486924 | Random House Studio
This holiday hardcover book is brimming with the same silly humor that characterizes all the beloved titles in the bestselling Grumpy Monkey series. When Jim Panzee hears Oxpecker cooing over her doting boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, he has just one thought: Gross. But Jim finds out that not everything about Valentine’s Day is hearts and kisses. Jim learns there are different types of valentines and many kinds of love, such as love for a parent or for friends.
How We Say I Love You
Written by Nicole Chen
Illustrated by Lenny Wen
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593428399 | Knopf BFYR
How do you tell your family that you love them? For Hana, love is all around her: Mom stirs love into a steaming pot of xifan. Dad cheers with love at her soccer game. Hana says good night with love by rubbing her grandma’s feet and pouring her grandpa his sleepy tea. And as the light fades, Hana’s parents tuck her into bed and give her a good night kiss. So many families express their love in all they do for one another, every day. Here is a book that wraps you in a hug and invites your family to share their own special ways of showing love
I Love You Little One
by Beatrix Potter
32 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780241606476 | Frederick Warne
A new addition to the family is an exciting celebration – and Peter Rabbit thinks so too! Join him as he welcomes little ones everywhere in this lyrical rhyming text, accompanied by contemporary design and beautiful illustrations that capture the whimsical, charming nature of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings. Older siblings will enjoy marking this precious moment and the many memories to come with this sweet book. This book is a heart-warming and affirming ode to the special bond shared between families. Both new and old fans will love this gorgeous tribute that encapsulates the elation felt when a family expands.
I Love You to Pieces
Written by Nicole Johnson
Illustrated by Jason May
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback
ISBN 9780593703205 | Random House BFYR
A sweet Valentine’s Day storybook starring LEGO® minifigures! Teddy the LEGO® minifigure wants to get his friend a very special Valentine’s Day gift but doesn’t know what it should be! Join Teddy on his journey to find the perfect gift as he meets all sorts of LEGO friends and learns that just like love, the best gifts come from the heart! This sweet and heartfelt storybook is the perfect gift for LEGO fans ages 4 and up on Valentine’s Day or any day!
I Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long
Written by Amelia Hepworth
Illustrated by Tim Warnes
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781664300170 | Tiger Tales
This sweet story that follows on the best-selling I Love You to the Moon and Back is a warm celebration of the love between parent and child. In spring, the cub marvels at the way the new plants grow; summer brings hot days of playing under the sun; in fall, the two crunch in leaves that have fallen from the trees; and when winter comes around again, the snowflakes cheer the winter skies as they fall asleep beneath the Moon’s light. This is the perfect book to share with a little one at bedtime.
Love from Bluey
by Suzy Brumm
32 Pages | Ages 5-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593658444 | Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Celebrate love with Bluey and Bingo! Based on the award-winning animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+
“Love can be found in the strangest of places.”
It’s bedtime! Read a bedtime story with Mum and Bingo about all the ways you can love while Dad tries to get Bluey ready for bed.
Love from the Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
32 Pages | Ages 3-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780448489322 | World of Eric Carle
“You are the cherry on my cake; you make the sun shine brighter; you make my heart flutter.” Using a range of images from the World of Eric Carle, and featuring the Very Hungry Caterpillar, this special gift book gives all the reasons why someone special makes the world a better and brighter place. Perfect for that someone special any day of the year!
Marvel Beginnings: I Love You 3,000
Written by Sheila Sweeny Higginson
Illustrated by Jay Fosgitt
24 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book
ISBN 9781368090360 | Marvel Press
What does it mean to love someone so much? Is it “3 Hulk hugs” or “10 toe tickles”? The whole Marvel Universe is here to celebrate what love means to them with pages full of warm fuzzies for you and your little one. This board book is small enough and sturdy enough to be taken on-the-go to bring a soothing feeling of home wherever you are.
With adorable illustrations and simple text, this board book is sure to be a read-aloud favorite for bedtime, travel-time, and every cuddle-time in between!
Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Skinnamarink
By Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison, with Randi Hampson
Illustrated by Qin Leng
40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735264496 | Tundra Books
What does “skinnamarink” mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly – especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together. Based on the classic folk song made famous by a beloved trio of children’s entertainers, this picture book is best sung aloud! “Skinnamarink” is a timeless anthem of love and inclusion.
The Mystery of the Love List
Written by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593352212 | Viking BFYR
Pippa’s teacher tells her students to make a love list – a list of all the things that take up room in their hearts. Pippa makes her list, but when she finds someone else’s and sees that her own name has been written down, along with all of her favorite things, she discovers she has a secret admirer! Maybe the best friend she’s always hoped for is right in her classroom, if only she can crack the case. Good thing there’s nothing Pippa loves more than a good detective story. Will she solve the mystery of the love list and find a new friend?
