We spend the week before Valentine’s Day reading stories about love, kindness, community, and respect for the Earth. It’s a wonderful time to talk about what we can do to show appreciation for one another and explore how love can be expressed in unexpected ways. Grab a heart shaped cookie or two and cozy up to celebrate family and friendship this year with our list of favorite heart-warming Valentine’s Day read alouds!
Best Valentine’s Day Read Alouds
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Love by Matt de la Peña
A powerful exploration of love that guides and supports us through our lives, even when things are tough. Beautifully illustrated with a multicultural cast of characters. This one is a tear jerker, so grab the tissues!
Love is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer
Mari and her mother make signs together for a march organized to speak up against unkindness and injustice. Mari knows she is little and the crowd is so big, but she speaks out: “Love is powerful!” and, to her surprise, the crowd starts to join her. A beautiful message of how each of us, through love, can make a difference.
I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde
Celebrating all the ways we can show love in different situations. Love is comfort. Love is gentle. Love is gratitude. Love is understanding and remembering. This is a great conversation starter to discuss how we can respond to others with compassion.
Love, Z by Jessie Sima
A sweet story about a little robot, Z, who finds a note signed “Love, Beatrice”. But what is love? He doesn’t know and none of the other robots can help him. He embarks on a quest to discover the answer and learns what love means to each character along the way.
All You Need is Love by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
One of our favorite Beatles’ songs brought to life in this sweetly illustrated story book.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
A heartwarming story about how we are connected by an invisible string to everyone we love “anywhere and everywhere”, even to those in heaven. Just give the string a tug, and they will feel it in their heart – and you will know you are always loved and never alone.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
A fun book that explores all the feelings in our heart. Sometimes my heart is cool and clam. Other times it is heavy and sad or light and full of giggles! This book is charming and perfect for talking about our emotions.
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
This is a cute story that shows how feeling loved can change your whole outlook and attitude. Bunny, Hedgehog, and Squirrel each find the same love letter in the forest one day. Who could it be from? And who is it for? Find out in this fun Valentine’s Day read aloud!
A Village Full of Valentines by James Stevenson
A short chapter book full of stories from the animal village and how each member prepares for the big celebration on Valentine’s Day. Full of mishaps and amusing stories sure to get some chuckles!
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hitch by Eileen Spinelli
Mr. Hitch is a lonely and sad man. He eats alone at lunch, lives alone, and doesn’t talk to any family or friends. One day he receives an anonymous valentine that says “somebody loves you!”. A beautiful story that teaches us how one act of loving kindness can make a big difference in another one’s life.
Fun Heart Crafts for your Valentine’s Day Read Alouds
1. Lacing Hearts
Cut some heart shapes out of recycled cardboard or cardstock and create lacing patterns. Check out Lia Griffith‘s post for some inspiration!
2. Heart and Pom Pom Garland
Make a festive Valentine’s Day garland with string wrapped hearts and pom poms to decorate your homeschooling room!
3. Geometric Heart Art
Older children will enjoy exploring geometry with this heart art project from deepspacesparkle.com Or print out a heart shape for younger children and let them fill it with all the different shapes they can think of!
Visit: Geometric Hearts Valentine’s Day Project
4. Paper Strips Heart Wreath
Help your child create this easy paper strips heart wreath from Origami Tree to hang on their bedroom door for Valentine’s Day!
I hope you and your family enjoy these Valentine’s Day read alouds! Let me know which ones are your favorites!
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