Reminding children how much they are loved is one thing you can never do too much. Besides telling children they are loved and showing your love for them in every which way, it’s important to put love into context for them, helping them understand what love is and how to give and receive it.
For Valentine’s Day this year, maybe instead of getting the little ones in your life chocolate or candy or toys that they probably have enough of already, share a new book with them about love, which is what Valentine’s Day truly celebrates. Not to mention, 90% of these books aren’t valentine’s day
Shared in this post are some of my favorite children’s books about love, as well as s
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Board Books About Love for Toddlers
In this section are board books about love that are perfect for babies and toddlers, newborn to 4-years-old. Some of them are heartfelt, featuring animals and other creatures showing their young how much they love them, and others are lighter or more silly, counting animals or kisses. They are all shorter board books, great for little grappling hands and shorter attention spans. Every book here is between $4-10 dollars.
Mama Loves You So
by Terry Pierce
A sweet board book for newborns to 2-year-olds that celebrates a mom’s love for their babies.
Love Makes a Family
by Sophie Beer
This fun board book shares all different types of families, showing little ones that love and family can be different.
How Many Do I Love You?
by Cheri Love-Byrd
This Padded Picture Book is a cute valentine book that counts animals.
All the Ways I Love You
by Susan Larkin
This cuddly board book is one long rhyming poem showing 10 different animal scenes.
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Daddy Hugs
by Karen Katz
This interactive board book is designed for daddy’s to count along with their babies, giving hugs along the way.
Counting Kisses
by Karen Katz
This interactive kiss and read board book is designed for mommy’s to count to ten all while giving kisses.
L Is for Love: A Heartfelt Alphabet
by Greg Paprocki
This ABC Board Book is an adorable 26 page book that starts with A for Affection, showing a mom and dad snuggling.
I Love You Because You’re You
by Liza Baker
This family-favorite board book is a poetic tale about a momma fox’s unconditional love for her cub.
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I Love You, Stinky Face
by Lisa Mccourt
This popular board book shares the conversation of mom and her child about how her love would remain no matter if her child were a scary ape, a smelly skunk, or anything else.
Snuggle Puppy!
by Sandra Boynton
This board book features a dog duo of parent and child with sing-song verses of the love the parent has for it’s snuggle pup.
Love Monster
by Rachel Bright
This Board Book is about a hairy little monster who live in Cutesville that looks (and finds) someone to love him just the way he is.
Hug Machine
by Scott Campell
This board book follows a little boy’s affectionate approach to life as he give hugs to all people and inanimate objects alike!
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Hardcover Books About Love for Little Kids
In this section below are hardcover children’s books that center around themes of love. These books are great for little kids ages 4 to 6 years old. Some books are more silly, others help little ones understand their feelings, and some are just sweet little books with gorgeous illustrations worthy of adding to your library to read time and time again. All of the children’s books about love featured here are hardcover books ideal for little ones learning to read. Every book here are less th
Bagel in Love
by Natasha Wing
This sweet hardcover book tells the tantalizing tale of a bagel who loves to dance that searches for the perfect dance partner. The illustrations and witty chit chat is adorable.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
by Jo Witek
This hardcover book features a cut out heart that grows in size with the flip of each page. It describes a variety of feelings and how are felt on the inside and shown on the outside.
I Love You: A Keepsake Storybook Collection
by Liza Baker
This collection contains five classic stories about love perfectly bundled together to create a a little series of books centered around the theme of love. All great for short bedtime stories.
The Invisible String
by Patrice Karst
This popular hardcover picture book is about a family that is connected by an invisible string from heart to heart, reminding little ones that they are connected to their families no matter how far away they are from one another.
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The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
This classic hardcover book explores the concept of unconditional love through a tree. It explores feelings, selfishness, selflessness, caring, and giving.
I’ll Love You Forever
by Owen Hart
This hardcover book features a polar bear and her cub as they explore the Arctic and changing seasons but no matter, the changes, their love will prevail.
I’ll Love You for Always: With 6 Real Love Notes to Write and Keep Forever!
by Peter Hinckley
This unique hardcover book enables caretakers to fill our letters through out it (6 in total) that give them prompts to write special, custom notes to their little ones.
Love You Always
by Frances Stickley
This hardcover picture book about cute little hedgehogs and a mom reassuring her young hedgehog baby that no matter how they change, they will be loved.
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Valentine’s Day Gifts for New Parents
These books are also great gift ideas for expectant parents. I actually bought the Daddy Hugs Board Book by Karen Katz for my husband for Valentine’s
Other great books for new parents:
My Dad Is Amazing! Board Book
My Dad Is Amazing! is a baby board book that shares all the ways your dad is amazing through cute scenarios that are illustrated in bright, pastel contrasting colors.
My Mom Is Magical! Board Book
My Mom Is Magical! is a baby board book that shares all the ways your mom is magical through cute scenarios that are illustrated in bright, pastel contrasting colors.
One of the best things about gifting these books to your littles for Valentine’s Day is that they are inexpensive. Gifting books to children is always a good idea for a few reasons:
- Books have a long shelf life. All parents know that books will be read time and time again (and maybe even hundreds of times if they become a favorite), making them a gift that is the opposite of a trendy or one-time-use toy.
- Books promote learning. This one is rather obvious, but still worth stating. Books promote cognitive functions and spread knowledge. They help children learn concepts and new words, ultimately helping them better understand the world around them and themselves.
- Books can be reused. Once a child outgrows a book, it can either be handed down to their young siblings, given to friends, or donated, extending their life and passing on the book’s stories to more children.
More of our Favorite Children’s Books
Read more of our past blog articles about a variety of different books by clicking on the links below:
- 7 Cute Baby Board Book Sets
- Science Experiment Books For Kids Featuring S.T.E.A.M. Projects
- 9 Feminist Children’s Books About Powerful Women
- 7 Nature-Themed Pop Up Books For Kids
Check out our favorite books for babies, toddlers, and little kids through the links below. The books we include are primarily centered around the themes of nature, animals, science, creativity, discovery, understanding, and empowerment.
I see a few titles that I grew up with and stories I still cherish! I also love the idea of the book about affection and hugging! Compassion is something you need to instill young!
I totally agree, Supal! I tried to include some more classic titles along with fun, light-hearted ones as well. Teaching compassion is invaluable. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment! <3
It’s good for kids to learn about love and compassion while they’re still young. This is nice.
such a cute list of must read books perfect for a rainy day!
I absolutely love this concept of putting love into context for them. I think it is so important to teach them this at a young age, especially of how different love can be shown. And it teaches them compassion and empathy in my opinion, great list!