Valentine’s Day is on the way! I just LOVE this happy holiday and think it’s magical that we get a specific day each year to refocus our hearts and minds on showing love and kindness to those around us. So, I pulled together a few books to teach little ones what love is all about and simple ways to show it.

The following are my current favorite Valentine’s Day books for toddlers and preschoolers, along with a few ideas for how to use each book to teach simple skills at home. Scroll to see which ones your little ones would love!

Also…SPOILER ALERT: I’ll give a quick synopsis of what each book is about. Just so I don’t spoil any part of the stories for you, you’ve been fairly warned. Haha! :)

1. L is for Love

L is for Love is a trip through the alphabet naming lots of love-related things that start with each letter of the alphabet! This is a perfect book for little ones because the pictures are super engaging and have a lot to talk about, they’re subconsciously learning a letter of the alphabet on every page, and it’s perfect for learning some new vocabulary words too.

2. Huggy Kissy

Huggy Kissy is by one of my new favorite authors for little ones, Leslie Patricelli. This is a really simple, sweet story about how one little baby goes through his day getting hugs and kisses from everyone in his family, from the dog to Uncle to his blankie. It’s has adorable illustrations and is a simple way to encourage affection and even identify some feelings toward others.

3. Hedgehugs

Aw, Hedgehugs! This book is about two hedgehog friends who love to do everything together, but can’t do one special thing…they can’t hug! Because they’re so pokey, these two friends try to find creative ways to be able to hug each other, like rolling in snow first or covering their pokey parts with leaves, but nothing seems to work. So when they finally figure out how to hug, it’s a perfect “hedgehug” and they’re both so happy!

I love this story because it’s a cute way to teach about the love between friends, it encourages persistence and trying things many times, and the illustrations are super precious too.

4. I Love You, Little Pookie

I Love You, Little Pookie is a sweet story told by Pookie’s mama as she names all the reasons and things she loves about her “Little Pookie”. It’s written with a rhyming rhythm, so it’s a fun one to let your kiddos predict what word comes at the end of each page. After a read or two, your little one will probably be calling out those rhyming words on their own!

This adorable story ends with Pookie’s mama saying that no matter what, she’ll always love Little Pookie and all the mamas can just quickly swipe away a tear or two as they wrap up this super lovey story with their little ones. :) You’re welcome.

5. Mama Loves You So

Oh boy, here’s another heart-warming, tear-jerking book for mamas! Haha! Mama Loves You So is a rhyming book that compares mama’s love to lots of things in nature. Lines like “Sweeter than the meadow’s scent, tender as a doe, soothing as the wafting wind, Mama loves you so” complete each page and the illustrations are all kinds of mamas and their babies that you’d see out in nature. It’s a short book, but packed full of lovely words to express how much a mama loves their little one.

6. How Many Do I Love You?

How Many Do I Love You? is a great book for learning to count! The story asks the question “How much do I love you?” and then takes you through all the numbered things that you’re loved more than, like “I love you more than 3 nice narwhals love to nuzzle.” This book is great for practicing counting and one-to-one correspondence, as well as noticing beginning sounds. Each page has some alliteration using adjectives and verbs that start with the same sound, which is a great early literacy skill to start exploring…like “Six sleepy seals snoozing in the sunshine.” :) Lots of fun skills with this one!

7. Ollie’s Valentine

Ollie’s Valentine is a cute little story about a little duck named Ollie who wants a valentine very much! He sees lots of other people with valentines and each one says they got it from someone else. So, Ollie searches and searches for someone to give him a valentine until he gets to the last page where he may get a valentine from someone very unexpected!

This book would make a perfect companion to making your own valentines for friends and family. It’s also a fun one for making predictions about what will happen next and discussing emotions too!

8. ABCs of Kindness

This one is just the sweetest little book. It goes through the alphabet and names an aspect of kindness or positivity that relates to each letter. The illustrations are simple and soft, but super classic and perfect for little learners.

ABC’s of Kindness is great for practicing inferring because it shows a picture of something that relates to that kind action, but your littles need to figure out (infer) what’s actually happening in each picture since the text doesn’t explain it exactly. Perfect for alphabet practice too! :)

9. I Love You Through and Through

This book is a simple story telling all the ways and sides and moods that your little one is loved through! It’s told from a parent’s perspective, telling the child every part of them that the parent loves. I Love You Through and Through is a great book for building up confidence and reminding your little one that, no matter what they do or how they feel, you love them through and through!

Hope these little gems are a fun way for your little learners to learn all about love this Valentine’s Day! I’m so thankful for you, friend. Remember that you’re loved. Happy Valentine’s Day!