Sneak peek: The best Valentine’s books for preschoolers don’t just focus on candy and cards. Use this helpful list of books to choose ones that help your child learn about emotions…like love.
Valentine’s Day with preschoolers is less about candy hearts and more about connection. I’m not usually one to seek out new books for every holiday or occasion, but Valentine’s is a little different. This day can be a key moment to help your preschooler learn about emotions, especially love. The best Valentine’s books for preschoolers don’t just talk about love—they help young children understand emotions, relationships, and what it means to care for others.
Below is a curated list of Valentine’s board books that celebrate love in all its forms—family love, friendship, faith, and reassurance.
Why the best Valentine’s books for preschoolers focus on emotions
Preschoolers are still learning how to identify and talk about their feelings. Research shows that shared book reading—especially books that name emotions—supports children’s emotional literacy and empathy.
When adults pause during stories to label feelings or ask questions like “How do you think the character feels?”, children build:
- A stronger emotional vocabulary
- Better emotion regulation skills
- Early empathy and perspective-taking
In other words, the best Valentine’s books for preschoolers don’t just entertain—they quietly teach kids how love, kindness, and connection work.
Related reading: Foster Empathy in Kids with These Simple But Powerful Acts of Kindness
What are the best Valentine’s books for preschoolers?
The best Valentine’s books for preschoolers are ones books that focus on love, friendship, and emotions through simple language and relatable characters. Titles like Guess How Much I Love You, Llama Llama I Love You, and The Day it rI Love You to the Moon and Back help young children understand affection, empathy, and emotional connection.
Favorite Valentine’s books
Guess How Much I Love You
A classic story of a little hare and a big hare trying to measure their love for each other. This gentle, poetic book reassures preschoolers that love can be big, constant, and comforting—perfect for bedtime or quiet moments.
Llama Llama I Love You
Llama Llama celebrates Valentine’s Day by showing love through everyday actions. With rhythmic text and familiar illustrations, this is one of the best Valentine’s books for preschoolers who enjoy repetition and routine.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!
Mouse spreads Valentine cheer by making cards and thinking about his friends. This book emphasizes friendship and kindness, making it especially helpful for preschoolers navigating early peer relationships.
The Day It Rained Hearts
When hearts fall from the sky, Cornelia Augusta turns them into thoughtful valentines for her friends. This story highlights creativity, generosity, and the joy of giving—core social-emotional lessons for preschoolers.
The Velveteen Rabbit (Board Book or Adapted Edition)
A timeless story about love making something “real.” This book introduces big emotional ideas—attachment, loss, and unconditional love—in a way that resonates deeply with both children and adults. This one is a bit longer, so you may have to read it over a couple of sessions. I suggest reading ahead of time to see if your preschooler is ready for the big emotions, but this is such a classic (and one of my personal favorites) that I had to include it.
Love from Bluey
Featuring the beloved Bluey family, this board book illustrates how love is present in everyday family moments. These cherished characters make emotional ideas feel relatable for preschoolers.
God Gave Us Love (God Gave Us Series)
This faith-based book gently teaches preschoolers about different kinds of love, including God’s unconditional love. A meaningful Valentine’s option for families looking to connect love with faith.
Love is My Favorite Thing
This gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book follows a young child who discovers that love shows up in everyday moments—through family, friends, nature, and small acts of kindness. Rather than focusing only on romantic love, this book helps preschoolers understand that love is something they can both give and receive in many forms.
I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home
This playful book uses silly comparisons to express endless love—perfect for preschoolers who enjoy humor alongside reassurance.
How to get the most out of Valentine’s reading time
To turn these Valentine’s stories into emotional learning moments:
- Ask simple questions: “How does the character feel?”
- Connect the story to real life: “Who do you love like that?”
- Re-read favorites—preschoolers learn through repetition
These small moments add up, especially when combined with books that intentionally highlight love and how characters feel.
FAQ: Reading Valentine’s books
Valentine’s books help preschoolers learn about love, kindness, and friendship while building emotional vocabulary and empathy.
Yes. Research shows that reading books about emotions—especially when adults discuss characters’ feelings—supports emotional understanding and social skills in young children. If Valentine’s Day books focus on discussing emotions, like love, they can help children learn about emotions.
The best Valentine’s books for preschoolers use repetition, warm illustrations, relatable relationships, and clear emotional themes.
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