This holiday is a very special one because it gives children a chance to show their gratitude and friendship to others. The wonderful books I have gathered are mostly picture books, but I’ll describe each book type as well as put the appropriate ages. Also the Caldecott and Newbery winners for 2025 were just announced: Chooch Helped illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz and written by A Dream L. Rogers and The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly.
Bad Badger: A Love Story, by Maryrose Wood and sprinkled with gorgeous etchings by Giulia Ghigini, is a chapter book about an unusual friendship between a Badger, Septimus, and his seagull friend, Gull. Septimus isn’t your normal Badger. He lives in a charismatic cottage. He has no friends until suddenly Gull flies onto his windowsill. But when his seagull friend goes missing, Septimus is about to go on an expedition in search. The charming story and glorious illustrations prove to be a delight for ages seven through ten.
Hap-Pea Valentine’s Day, by Keith Baker, is the newest picture book in this adorable series. The tiny peas featured throughout have fun and funny personas as you read through the rhyming celebration of Valentine’s Day. Frilly hearts, silly hearts, double hearts, bubble hearts, pocket hearts, locket hearts. Candy hearts-we like a lot! Especially if they’re…CHOCOLATE! This is the perfect read-out-loud that all ages will enjoy!
The Little Puppy, by Nicola Killen, is a sweet picture book celebrating the love of young Ollie and her devotion to her Grandma. Ollie is thrilled that Grandma has brought her new puppy. This tender story has a muted palette of grays with a contrast of bright red foil showcasing hearts, berries and mushrooms making this good for ages three through seven. Be sure to check out the other adorable My Little Animals Friend books by Ms. Killen.
Little Love Songs, by Sandra Boynton, is the perfect board book for toddlers as each open page reveals five simple love songs. By a push of a button, found on each page, each song is played. Beautiful Baby and Little One are two of these quick songs. The colors are bright with reds and hearts found throughout.
Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love, by Joseph Coelho and 21 Artist Friends, is a picture book that is actually a story starter. Each open-page has a gorgeous illustration with just a ten word sentence that will surely stimulate stories to immediately begin bouncing off the tongues of kids ages seven and up. Here is one example: The love he held for his bike made it amphibious.
I Spy Love: A Book of Picture Riddles, photographed by Walter Wick and riddles by Dan & Dave Marzollo, is the newest picture book edition to the popular I Spy series. Each open page is filled with bright photos along with riddles to solve as youngsters, ages four through eight, search for designated items. Some of the categories include wedding rings and Cupid. What’s not to love?
Grown with Love, by Valeria Wicker, is a picture book that demonstrates how being charitable and loving soothes the lonely and rejected. Oliver is a boy who enjoys growing plants and prides himself on the knowledge he has accumulated from all that he has learned. He helps others with problems in their yard, but he was baffled when it came to Mrs. Kroftombottom. She couldn’t get anything to grow and neither could he. When he discovers what is lacking in her life, everything begins to grow. Many of the gorgeous illustrations are on the full open-page and were made digitally. This wonderful book is good for ages four through eight.
Bigfoot’s Big Heart, by Sarah Glenn Marsh and brightly illustrated digitally by Aisha Lobo, is a picture book that demonstrates the importance of friends, old and new. Bigfoot is lonely and desires to send valentines to his monster friends. But when he loses them, you’ll find some good kids to help out. The colorful illustrations are on open-page spreads making this good for ages three to seven.
The Kids’ Book of Craft Love: Write, Make, Play, Share, by Irene Smit & Astrid Van Der Hulst, is a paperback book that is packed with arts and craft activities. This book is meant to be cut up with everything you need except scissors, glue and tape. Some of the activities include bookmarks, origami and foldable gift boxes. The book is split into four categories: Write, Make, Play (this one encourages imagination) and Share. This book would be perfect for home schoolers, trips and screen-free time. It’s best for ages nine through adult.
Your Nose! A Wild Little Love Song, by Sandra Boynton, is a hilarious board book that will make toddlers giggle all the way through. A little fox and mom fox are brightly featured. The parent exclaims how much she loves her child’s nose. The rhyming text and bright colors will be a hit for youngsters!
L is for LOVE, by Atinuke and richly painted with mixed media by Angela Brooksbank, is a gorgeous picture book that displays each fully colored picture on the open-page. The book goes through several possibilities that begin with the letter L. L is for Lightening and L is for Light. You are traveling through a jungle rich in detail. And ultimately you arrive at Love! Great for ages three to seven.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings, by Jo Witek and cleverly illustrated by Christine Rousseau, is a unique picture book with a large die-cut heart on the cover that extends through the rest of the book. With the turn of each page, the heart becomes smaller and displays a different bright color with a radiating heart in the middle. Each open-page displays not only the heart but a situation that affects feelings. This is a wonderful book for discussions with kids of all ages.