Valentine Books for Kids that Spread Love and Kisses

This curated collection of picture books features kisses, hugs and multicultural books about love as well as more traditional Valentine's Day books for kids.

Of course it's great to read about love and kisses all year long and to facilitate that I've listed books in three sections: toddlers, preschoolers and elementary aged kids. As with most books there is no hard and fast age limit! Enjoy reading these books about hearts and love this Valentine's Day or everyday you want a few extra snuggles.

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Valentine Books for Toddlers

Counting Kisses by Karen Katz. This darling lift the flap book may not be specifically about valentines but it will certainly set in motion a cascade of love, and isn’t that the goal?

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney. A darling board book that introduces the iconic llama to babies and toddlers. A very sweet and adorable read that imparts a lovely message.

Huggy Kissy by Leslie Patricelli. I adore all of Patricicelli’s joyful board books and this love-themed title about all the different ways to show affection makes a great Valentine’s day book for toddlers.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes. Lilly has a very special chocolate heart and she wants to find the perfect hiding place to keep it safe. Take a guess where that might be. Adorable.

Little You by Richard Van Camp is an adorable board book that is a tender, rhyming love story from mom and dad to their baby.

I Love You Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton. You can't go wrong with a Boynton board book! The rhyme and rhythm of this love letter from mom to Pookie is hard not to read again and again.

MORE: Picture books about Kindness

Valentine Books for Preschoolers

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. What happens when you literally plant a kiss? This winsome book follows a girl as she plants a kiss and shares the harvest. A great title for Valentine’s Day reading, but also for any time you want to share the message of kindness.

I Spy Little Hearts by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Walter Wick. I always find I SPY books to be great boredom busters, especially for when you are on the go and want to keep the kids busy. Why not add in a Valentine book to your repertoire?

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. This has become a classic Valentine’s Day book for preschoolers. Cornelia Augusta (don’t you love that name?) catches hearts as they fall from the sky. What to do with them? Why turn them into valentines of course!

Love Monster by Rachel Bright. Love Monster seems out of place in Cutesville, but he wants to be loved just the way he is.

Love by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. On each page, McAnulty begins, "Love is..." Love is a gift, time spent with friends, a shared meal and so forth. The text is simple and children will easily relate to the actions that come as a result of love as shown in the sweet, colorful illustrations which depict a wonderfully diverse group of kids! After you read this book aloud to your children, help them plan ways in which they can show their loved ones how they care.

MORE: Valentine's Day bookmarks to print and color

Valentine Books for Kindergarteners on Up

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins. As this sweet story of friendship shows, not all valentines have to be frilly and lovey dovey. Valentines of friendship can also convey meaningful feelings.

Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Monika Róza Wisniewska. This is a fun biography of how a woman popularized Valentine's Day in the United States and built a thriving business around valentine cards in the 19th century.

Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates. Dog loves to books so he decides to open his very own bookstore. However he doesn’t have any customers and so he spends his time getting lost in imaginary adventures brought on by reading! Soon, though he has a customer and can recommend just the right book. Perhaps this is not technically a Valentine’s Day book, but what better time of year to express your own love of books?

A Village Full of Valentines by James Stevenson. I think this is my favorite Valentine's Day book. Seven quirky vignettes will absolutely charm your heart.

The Ballad of Valentine by Allison Jackson, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. A delightful rhyming book that you will want to sing to the famous “Clementine” book. A rather clumsy and smitten gentleman tries to woo a rather clueless frontier woman. Very fun.

How Far Do You Love Me? by Lulu Delacre. A lovely book that will take you and your child on a trip around the world, rooted in love for each other.

One Zillion Valentines by Frank Modell. This book had a real old fashioned feel to me. Perhaps it is because the protagonists are named Milton and Marvin. Milton and Marvin set out to deliver a zillion valentines to their friends and neighbors but they have a lot leftover. So they hatch a plan to make a little money so they can buy a valentine to share.

How Do I Love, Thee? by Jennifer Adams. This lovely picture book is an adaptation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous sonnet. Instead of a romantic love poem, Adams reimagines it as a poem of friendship. The illustrations show a diverse group of children playing outside. The endnotes includes the original poem and a bit about Browning. Delightful.

More Valentine's Day fun:

• The Giant Hug: a Family Valentine Craft and Book
• Easy Kid-Made Valentines Perfect for the Last Minute
• Super Easy Valentines for Your Preschool Friends