Books are the perfect way to fill your classroom with love as Valentine’s Day approaches. We asked our crew of teacher friends to share their favorite titles and rounded up 20 of the best funny, silly, and sweet Valentine’s Day books for kids, from classic classroom standbys to new favorites. Bonus: We’ve got easy ideas for classroom activities, too!
Teacher-Recommended Classic Valentine’s Day Books
1. Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
Young students can get ready for Valentine’s Day right alongside their favorite mouse in little board book. Kindergarten teacher Brooke W. says, “We read this aloud and usually sequence the story. We also write a valentine to someone!”
2. Mouse’s First Valentine by Laura Thompson
Minka sneaks out of her family’s mouse hole to gather all the supplies she needs to make valentines, describing each item as she adds it to her collection. PreK teachers love to use this story to help introduce the materials in a class card-making center. Plus, it’s great for teaching valentine-related adjectives.
3. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
The main character of this heartwarming tale is a sweet snuggle bug who can’t get enough hugs. Savvy PreK and early elementary teachers save a BIG box prior to Valentine’s Day so they can invite their students to design and create a creative (and consent-driven!) class “Hug Machine.”
4. Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Readers everywhere love this adorable story of a monster who goes out searching for love. Not only does he find it, but he learns to love himself, too. Brooke W. says her kindergarteners have fun with “a craft and writing activity where the students write what their monster loves.”
5. The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Cornelia Augusta is surprised to find it raining hearts, but she knows just what to do with them: Make valentines for her friends! PreK and kindergarten teachers love to pair this book with an invitation to sort hearts by different attributes. Then, students can choose just the right ones to make a perfect valentine for someone special.
6. The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
This year, Mrs. Bear is determined that she and Mr. Bear will celebrate Valentine’s Day, which they always miss because they’re hibernating. Waking Mr. Bear isn’t so easy, though! PreK and early elementary teachers love reading this simple classic aloud when the calendar turns to February. It can help answer all the “When is Valentine’s Day?” questions!
7. Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
Gilbert sets out to write valentines for his whole class, but finds it hard to think of nice messages for a few peers. K-2 teachers find this story both reliably giggle-inducing and discussion-worthy. Follow up with a rhyming word brainstorm to help kids craft their friendly Valentine’s Day messages—friendly ones, of course!
8. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
One of the most delightful Valentine’s Day books, preschool and elementary teachers love how this story celebrates equality and love in all its splendid forms. After reading, map the story elements and help children articulate the author’s message of this love-filled tale.
9. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
If you’re going to read a Valentine’s Day book with students in second grade or higher, make it this one. Mr. Hatch’s whole outlook changes when he receives a mysterious box of chocolates in the mail. This longer picture book can spark rich discussions about loneliness, connection, friendship, and the power of community. After reading, have students design a “box of chocolates” full of compliments for someone.
10. Enemy Pie by Eileen Spinelli
When the young narrator makes a snap judgement about his new neighbor Jeremy, his smart dad suggests a unique solution: a serving of Enemy Pie. Teacher Donna Paul says she’s used this book with grades 4-6 to, “spark quick, meaningful conversations about second chances” and that “students always enjoy creating their own friendship ‘recipes’ afterward.” What a fitting Valentine’s Day focus for the upper elementary grades!
New Valentine’s Day Books that Teachers Love
11. How To Catch a Loveosaurus by Alice Walstead
Your students will love this STEM-informed Valentine’s tale and be inspired to spread kindness on Valentine’s Day and beyond. Lug out that bin of recycled materials and some red, pink, and purple masking tape and let young students have at it making their own “Loveosaurus Traps.”
12. Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms
There are so many kinds of love, and you’ll find a wide variety of them in this book about a farmer’s daughter and the new boy in town, who really needs a friend. Use this story as inspiration for creating tiny potted plant “Love Grows!” valentines to share with students’ families or helpful school adults.
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13. Valentine’s Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Mrs. Hartwell planned the perfect Valentine’s Day party for her class, but somehow, everything goes wrong! She’s full of jitters, but her students soon let her know how much fun they’re having—and how much they care about her. This is a winning story to share with grades 2-4 before asking them to help you plan a class Valentine’s Day celebration that will be enjoyable for all!
14. What Is Love? by Mac Barnett
When a little boy asks his grandmother, “What Is Love?” she sends him out in the world to find out. He discovers that love is something different to every person, but it’s important to all of us. We love sharing this title with students of any age, along with a drawing or writing prompt to reflect on this essential question.
15. The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
When Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel find an anonymous love letter, it causes a chain reaction of warm fuzzies. Preschool and early elementary students find this story to be such fun, and they absolutely love writing their own anonymous friendly notes to school community members.
16. Love Is by Diane Adams
This tender account of a girl’s year taking care of a baby duckling is perfect for Valentine’s Day, or anytime your heart needs a little warming. Younger students can write and draw their own “Love is . . .” pages to make the sweetest class Valentine’s Day book.
17. Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace
Caring animal friends scheme to make sure Groundhog can make it to Moose’s Valentine’s Day party. Keep this book on your shelf for reading aloud when you need something to contain the February energy for few minutes—and hit two holidays at once!
18. The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story by Nancy Rose
Will Mr. Peanuts ever find that special someone to spend his life with? Find out in this love story featuring hilariously staged photos. It’s an absolute hoot to let students make props and set up their own funny Valentine’s photos with stuffed animals or figurines, or create them using the Magic Edit feature in Canva. (Plus, they make for the best sentence-writing inspiration!)
19. Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day by Vera Ahiyya
The Tutu Teacher knows what kids need to feel ready for a big, exciting holiday. This title introduces Valentine’s Day language and traditions in an engaging but straightforward way. Share it with students who like to know just what to expect.
20. Valentines Are the Worst! by Alex Willan
This installment of a popular series is perfect for eliciting a smile from any Valentine’s Day cynics in your class. Comic-book-style illustrations and text document Gilbert the goblin’s transformation from Valentine-hater to lovestruck swooner. Use the all the funny details as motivating examples to help elementary students create their own Valentine’s Day comics.
