Are you looking for some vivid Valentine children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful unit of study with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Valentine books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Children love to learn about holiday and how they are celebrated. Try these vivid Valentine children’s books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Love Monster is this cute hairy monster with googly-eyes who is trying to fit in with the residents of Cutesville. He finds it difficult to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when he is just a googly-eyed monster. He sets out to find someone who can love him just the way he is. Will he find the love he so desperately wants?
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Our Love Monsters
- Student Booklet: How Many Hearts?
- Love Monster Ten Frame Roll & Cover
- Love Monster Art Project
2. Love Splat by Rob Scotton
The second hilarious story about the adventures of Splat the Cat. It is Valentine’s Day and Splat has a special valentine for a certain someone in his class.
Her name is Kitten, and Splat desperately wants to become friends with her. He likes her even more than fish sticks and ice cream. However, he is just too shy to talk to her. Will he get her attention?
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Love Is ….
- LOVE Acrostic Poem
- Heart Rhyming Word Match Game
- Love Splat Art Project
3. The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
This companion book to the bestselling book The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, sees the return of Clayton and Desmond. In this story their teacher, Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines.
Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together as a surprise to their teacher. However, things do not go as planned. First, Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then, Desmond puts on too many hearts.
Soon the friends are mad at each other. Read to find out how they resolve their conflict in this Valentine story that shows true friendship and how to work together.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: What We Do in Winter
- Student Booklet: Valentine’s Day Senses
- Counting Hearts Math Game
- My Valentine’s Day Story: Student Worksheets
4. Rose are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane DeGroat
A Valentine favorite read aloud that prompts lots of giggles, as well as a discussion piece on kindness and forgiveness.
Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines and decides to sign the wrong name on both!
When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into a mess. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Valentine Rhyming: Roses Are Red
- Valentine Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Valentine Roll I! Read It! Short Vowels
- Valentine Roll & Bump Math Game
5. Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse by Laura Numberoff
This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for a simple introduction to youngsters to the fun of Valentine’s Day.
It follows the adventures of Mouse as he makes valentines for all his friends. Each valentine is made to represent what he loves most about each of his friends. Pig as a good dancer and Bunny as the best hide-and-seek player. A surprise at the end adds to the read-aloud fun!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Love Is…” Classroom Book
- Valentine Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Valentine’s Day Card Art Project
- Valentine’s Day Number & Ten Frames
6. Pete the Cat Valentine’s Day by Kimberly & James Dean
Pete the Cat thinks Valentine’s Day is not cool until he realizes how many special cats there are in his life! Pete works hard to make valentines for everyone, and it turns out to be the grooviest Valentine’s Day ever. But what happens when he realizes he has forgotten to make a card for an especially important cat? Read how Pete the Cat as he discovers just how special Valentine’s Day can be!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Valentine’s Day Is Cool!
- How to Make a Valentine’s Day Card Student Page
- Valentines Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Valentine Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish
Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about Valentine’s Day. The sweet surprises, the cards to give and receive, a party a school and a big, long family hug. Amelia cannot wait for the special day!
But what will she do when she forgets her Valentines for her classmates on the school bus? Luckily, Amelia Bedelia has a plan not to break any hearts. Hooray for Valentine’s Day!
Literacy Extensions:
- Valentines’ Day Word Bank
- Valentine Build a Word
- Valentine Sight Word Match Game
- Valentine Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Llama, Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney
With short and simple rhyming text this board book introduces young readers to Valentine’s Day. It’s small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.
In Llama Llama I Love You, little llama shows his friends and family how much he loves them with heart-shaped cards and lots of hugs. What could be sweeter than Llama Llama on Valentine’s Day?
Literacy Extensions:
- Valentines’ Day Classroom Book
- How Many Hearts? Student Booklet
- Valentine’s Day Letter & Sound Match Game
- Valentine Counting Game
Grab your Free, How Many Hearts? Student Color & Counting Booklet Here!
Finally, there are so many vivid Valentine children’s books you can choose from. From the discovery of what the holiday means to the funny tales the list is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
