Fall in LOVE with Reading: NEW 2023 Valentine’s Day Books, Crafts, and Read Aloud Videos
Get ready for all the lacey ribbons, candy hearts, bouquets of flowers, chocolate treats, and letters of love! Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and I’m celebrating with all the bookish fun!
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about sharing romantic love~ it’s about sharing love for family and friends, and for spreading kindness and joy to those around you. In this Valentine’s Round up, I’m sharing some NEW 2023 Children’s Books Perfect for Valentine’s Day, bookish crafts, and read aloud videos that celebrate Love in all its forms, and encourage readers to spread love wherever they go!
Books
A little lovely something for everyone~ board books for the littlest littles, picture books for the little learners, and a selection of early/middle grade/short stories readers for the big kids! (And of course~ adults can enjoy this round up of reads at any stage in life!) Prepare for the *Sweetest* books of love and friendship, with the most adorable characters and charming illustrations to bring the stories to life!
I’m highlighting *10 new favorites* below
but click HERE for the *Full List* of Valentine’s Books and Links to Order!
Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out by Suzanne Lang, Illustrated by Max Lang // Jim Panzee is unimpressed by the romantic antics of Oxpecker and her boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, but learns that love comes in many forms, such as love for parents and friends. Read along to learn that it’s important to show the people you love that you love them.
Construction Site: You’re Just Right: A Valentine Lift-the-Flap Book by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by AG Ford // On Valentine’s Day, construction trucks find special notes, but who wrote them? Lift the flaps to discover the mystery writer and messages celebrating the kindness of friends
I Love You Like by Ralph Lazar & Lisa Swerling // An ode to love in the form of comparisons, this humorous and heartfelt book is perfect for Valentine’s Day and everyday gifting. Suitable for both kids and adults, it explores the many ways to express affection and say “I love you.”
A Pinch of Love by Barry Timms, Illustrated by Tisha Lee // A boy and his grandmother prepare for a neighborhood bake-off in this rhyming story, showcasing their loving relationship and the warmth of their community. Barry Timms’ text links loving moments with the love represented by food, while Tisha Lee’s illustrations bring the diverse neighborhood to life.
The Very Best Hug by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Illustrated by Alison Brown // Many types of hugs exist, from bear hugs to koala cuddles, but the best hug may be from those who love you at home. A silly and snuggly story, perfect for reading aloud by the bestselling creators Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Alison Brown.
The Kiss (Hedgehog & Friends) by Eoin McLaughlin, Illustrated by Polly Dunbar // Tiger and Crocodile are searching for goodnight kisses in this flip-book story, but the animals they encounter are hesitant. They soon realize that it’s their own sharp teeth that are intimidating, so instead they find their kisses from Daddy Croc and Mummy Tiger, their parents. A bedtime story that celebrates blended families and friendship.
The Mystery of the Love List by Sarah Glenn Marsh, Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo // Pippa’s teacher asks her class to make a love list, a list of things that take up room in their hearts. Pippa finds another student’s list and sees her name and favorite things on it, revealing a secret admirer. Pippa sets out to solve the mystery of the love list and discovers a potential new friend in her classroom.
Heart String by Brooke Boynton-Hughes // A colorful heart string connects us all, through backyards, neighborhoods, mountains and oceans. Though out of sight, it joins our hearts and reminds us that we are never truly alone. A reassuring story that shows how love connects us to the ones we love and the world we share.
Love is a Story by Todd Tarpleu, Illustrated by Sophie Leu // Follow a family as they learn about love throughout the seasons. Love is portrayed as small moments of happiness, such as smiling and reading stories with a flashlight. A sweet and reassuring story for both kids and adults.
Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater, Illustrated by Sydney Hanson // Today is Snailentine’s Day and Escargot is on his way to a party. Will he find his Snailentine at the party? When he arrives, he discovers it’s actually a Volentine’s Day party and is greeted by a vole. Initially disappointed, he eventually makes a new friend.
Click here for the Full List of Valentine’s Books and Links to Order
Crafts
Prepare for some *lovely* fun with these bookish crafts to extend the learning and play beyond the books. This Valentine’s Day, I’m celebrating love and frienship with some of mai favorite *sweet* bookish characters! Check out these Love/Friendship crafts inspired by some of your sweet bookish friends.
*Click on the Images for Craft Templates.*
Or Check out this Valentine’s Day Craft Bundle for 6 Bookish Crafts!
Interactive Read Alouds
Plus, read along with MaiStoryBook YouTube for interactive, shared-reading read aloud adventures where I ask questions throughout the story, point out main themes and ideas, and introduce vocabulary to keep little learns engaged and participating throughout the story. I’ve curated a collection of *Love* Themed Interactive Read aloud videos for you to read along, learn, and celebrate with some bookish fun this Friendship season!
Click here to read along with MaiStoryBook’s Valentine’s Read Aloud Playlist
Or click on the image-link below to read along to the individual titles
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I hope you found some reading recommendations to add to your own shelves and share with your littles this Valentine’s Day. Please share any other Sweet Titles to add to this themed collection.
*~Also, I’d love to see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having with your little learners, so please share your story times below in the comments ~ Or Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary , FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~*
*This post contains affiliate links. I get a small percentage from purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
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Love this list! On the 10 listed here, Grumpy Monkey would be our must-have. We LOVE Jim Panzee in the original! On the full list, From Archie to Zack would be our must-have! It’s on our list and reminds me of Love, Violet, which we love!
What a fantastic list. The book that sticks out the most is a Pinch of Love, the illustrations look adorable.
Grumpy Monkey
What a great list of books for class and home! The two books that I’m most curious about and think my students would connect with most are “How We Say I Love You” (for representation) and “Heart String” (since we are an online school and not physically together).
What a Wonderful opportunity and list of books! Thank you! I’m very interested in Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee
Hello Kim! Thank you for sharing your favorites! I’d love to send you *Love Grows Everywhere*. Please send your mailing info to: maistorybook@gmail.com
A Pinch of Love looks adorable!
We can’t wait to read Grumpy Monkey!
So tough to pick just one favorite! I’d say Construction Site You’re Just Right.
I love all the Fall in L♥️VE collection you have picked. First title is like to read to my young man is How Do You Love?
We already read Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out and I have requested more Valentine books from the library! Love to see this list for more ideas!! Definitely want to read Heart String and Love, Escargot.
Hello Melissa! Thank you for sharing your favorites! I’d love to send you a copy of Heart String, Please send your mailing details to maistorybook@gmail.com
The Very Best Hug by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Illustrated by Alison Brown
Construction Site: You’re Just Right: A Valentine Lift-the-Flap Book by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by AG Ford