Will You Be My Valentine?

Will You Be My Valentine?, by Steven Kroll and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, is a book that takes a look at preschool friendship.  Thomas and Gretchen are the main characters who work out conflicts that can happen between young children. The Valentine’s aspect makes it fun to share at this time of year.  Will You Be My Valentine? Provides many great conversation starters for young children as they are navigating the social world of preschool.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Question Collection:

*Have you liked someone who didn’t like you?

*How did Thomas and Gretchen become friends?

*What things do you like to do with your friends?

Valentine's Books

We've reviewed several books about Valentine's Day in the last two years.  Here are some you and your family might like to check out:

We also think Valentine's Day is a great time to talk about friendship.  Here are some of our favorites:

We hope that you and your family have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Strawberry Shortcake Be My Valentine

Be My Valentine (Strawberry Shortcake), by Megan E. Bryant, is a typical Strawberry Shortcake story that is centered on Valentine’s Day.  Many young girls enjoy Strawberry Shortcake stories, and this one has some nice features that open up discussions about friendship.  Strawberry discovers a secret valentine and tries to discover who sent it to her while she delivers her valentines.  We like looking at the full page illustrations of the valentines Strawberry has designed for her friends.  One page is a recipe for friendship, one is a seed packet, and another is a scavenger hunt.  We enjoy the creativity and how it sparked some ideas for handmade valentine’s cards!

Question Collection:

*Who did you think the secret valentine was from?

*Which valentine card did you like the best?

*What kind of valentine card could you make?

I Love You, Too

A perfect gift for a mother to share with her child is I Love You, Too! by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Beautiful illustrations accompany the story that begins with Little Brown Puppy searching for a gift for his mother.  He brings a bone to her, so she tells him she loves the bone.  She also tells him that she loves him too.  Other animals then begin looking for the perfect gift for their mothers.  Each mother animal loves the gift and tells her offspring that she loves him/her also.  The story ends with Billy giving his mother the best gift with her responding that she loves him too.  Rhyming is used in each animal’s conversation. Reading and discussing this book together can affirm parent love.  We hope you enjoy this book!

Question Collection:

*What’s your favorite part of the book?

*Did you hear any rhyming words?

*Can you name an animal that isn’t in this book and predict what it would bring to its mama?

I Love You, Little One

I Love You, Little One, by Nancy Tafuri, is a gentle book about mothers and how they love their children.  Each section begins with an animal in the deep woods asking its mama if she loves him/her.  Very reassuringly the mother answers and tells her child how much she loves him/her.  The story progresses to a child in a log cabin deep in the woods making the same inquiry of Mama.  This is a good bedtime story to be shared with children. 

Question Collection:

*Which of these animals have you seen?

*Which animal is your favorite?

*Can you think of other animals and what their mothers would say?

Fancy Nancy Heart to Heart

Are you looking for a fun, fancy book to read with your daughters?  Fancy Nancy, Heart to Heart, by Jane O’Connor, fits the bill!  In this adventure Fancy Nancy is trying to solve a Valentine myster. We love reading the new vocabulary words that are in each Fancy Nancy book and later use them whenever we can. Enjoy the Valentine stickers that are included in this book! 

Question Collection:

*Did you guess who her secret admirer was?

*What was your favorite new fancy word in this story?

*How do you want to use the stickers in this book?

Where is Baby's Valentine?

Are you looking for a board book to share with your baby or toddler?  Where is Baby’s Valentine?, by Karen Katz, is an interactive lift the flap book that encourages little ones to look for the hidden Valentine.  Karen Katz is a favorite author of ours, and this book does not disappoint.  The textures and shiny pictures capture children’s attention as you lift the flaps.  This is a fun book to introduce Valentine’s Day to little ones.

Question Collection:

*Where’s the kitten?

*What does the girl have on her headband?

*Can you find other hearts?

Me With You

Me With You, by Kristy Dempsey, is a wonderful book to read at Valentine’s Day.  Grandfather Bear and Granddaughter Bear explore the ways “me” is with “you” via short rhyming passages.  The love that is shared is so evident through all of the settings.  The illustrations by Christopher Denise make the characters come alive.  Taking a picture walk before and/or after reading this story will reveal details that enhance the story.  We hope you enjoy Me With You as much as we do!

Question Collection:

*What is your favorite picture in the book?

*Did you hear some rhyming words?

*What is your favorite setting in the book?