Valentine’s day is just around the corner and the holiday seems to become more commercialized and gift focused every year. I absolutely am not anti-gift giving but the pressure to constantly give, what is often promoted as expensive or lavish gifts can be overwhelming. I also vowed to strive towards a more minimalist lifestyle this year (you can read more about that on my resolutions post here) so giving a gift just because its the expectation, doesn’t really fit that lifestyle. I wanted to put together a list of books that focus more on feelings, love, self-love, mindfulness and compassion than solely gift giving! So if you couldn’t already tell from my little soap box I’ll add this little disclaimer that many of these are not focused specifically on Valentine’s Day but rather promoting the feeling of love and teaching kids compassion!
In My Heart (Hardcover) by Jo Witek
This is part of a mini series and does a great job at teaching kids how to express emotions. This specific book talks about feelings from the heart so it goes with love theme for sure! It has fun illustrations and higher level vocabulary to help push your kids to learn new words.
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
This is a cute book with a story line that keeps kids hooked. It helps teach kids empathy as they hear about how the monster isn’t cute and furry like all the other creatures. There are also some craft activities that go with this book. We’ve made a little love monster with playdoh and googly eyes!
This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins
This book is really sweet and teaches that we can show people we love them and care in other ways. It doesn’t have to be just on valentines with glittery gifts and such. I love the moral, illustrations and relatable story elements for kids!
Love From Crayons by Drew Daywalt
This is another book from a small but growing series. This entire series is filled with relatable illustrations for kids and super funny. This book has each crayon make a statement focused on their color and what love is. It keeps kids engaged and thinking critically about the true meaning of love!
I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde
This is part of a larger series about teaching various feelings, skills and ideas centered on mindfulness. The message is great for kids and talks about how to care/love others and be mindful to loving ourselves too. It also teaches some yoga poses that are centered on opening the heart charka. I highly recommend adding this to the mix because it focuses on the feeling of love and compassion and gives some movement to go along with it!
I Love You and Cheese Pizza by Brenda Li
This a silly book about a pig who thinks he only loves pizza. He has tons of silly mishaps and comical things occur throughout the story where he learns the true meaning of love. The humor in this one can really capture the attention of kids who aren’t feeling the lovey holiday stuff!
Love: A Story About Who You Truly Are
This is the ultimate self-love book! This book is a great one to read not just around Valentine’s Day but year round! It helps remind kids that they are special regardless of what others think. It promotes the idea we are all unique and we should love ourselves just the way we are.
Love Comes In Many Ways by Terry Pierce
This book focuses on the different ways animals and people can show love. It’s a board book as well which is great for little hands that aren’t always gentle. I like that it is fairly short and to the point but you can have good discussions about what each sentence and illustration means.
That What Love Is by Hannah C. Hall
This book is based on the bibles “love chapter,” corinthians. It follows the same pattern of love is patient, love is kind ect. The illustrations are super cute and the story it’s self is short enough that you can have discussions about what each phrase means.
So there you have it! A list of books that promote love, teach what love is and have plenty of opportunities to have discussions with your little ones about love! I like that these can be read year round to keep the love positivity around all the time!
What are some of your favorite Valentine’s books? Do you prefer ones that teach the more traditional idea of creating and giving? We have lots of those too and I promise I still give gifts! If you’re looking for a more meaningful gift idea check my post on easy DIY gifts you can create!