Valentine’s Day comes at the perfect time of the year! As a primary teacher in Maryland, February is full of snow, indoor recess, and standardized tests. Valentine’s Day offers a bright, reviving change for my students from the winter doldrums. And what better way to celebrate it then with a favorite read-aloud? I’ve put together a list of some of my students’ favorite books for the primary classroom. Use them with a Valentine card activity or as part of your festivities!
1. Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Love Monster is a fun, engaging book that explores the feeling of being unloved and how love always has a way of finding you. I love how Love Monster tries and tries to find someone to love him even though he fails. The ending is beautiful as he finds that one special someone.
If you don’t have the book, here is a link to a great read-aloud.
As an activity, your class can learn how to draw a Love Monster at this link.
2. Love from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt
The Crayons series is always a favorite with my class! In this one, the crayons describe how each of them represents different aspects of love.
Here is a link to a read aloud of this book.
A great activity is to make an opinion chart with the question “Which crayon explains what you think love is?”
3. Valentine Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Another great book in the Jitters series. Mrs. Hartwell tries to plan the perfect party, but nothing goes according to plan. The kids chip in and Mrs. Hartwell learns how much her class cares about her.
Here is a link to the read aloud.
4. The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
One day, to Cornelia Augusta’s surprise, it rained hearts. After she catches a bunch, she takes them home to make special Valentines for each of her animal friends. I like tying the book in with an easy Valentine card craft.
With this adorable craft, kids can color their own Valentine Card and it’s absolutely FREE! Grab your copy at the end of this post!
5. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Who doesn’t love Pete the Cat? From I Love My White Shoes to His Four Groovy Buttons, my class have fallen in love with all his books. Valentine’s Day is Cool shows Pete at his best: giving out Valentine’s to everyone at school.
Here is a read aloud link.
6. Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Valentine Cat hates Valentine’s Day and his new neighbor, Dog. Then Dog sends him a special Valentine present and Valentine Cat’s hard heart becomes mushy and warm.
Here is the link to the read aloud.
7. Turkey’s Valentine Surprise by Wendi Silvano
Turkey wants to send Valentine’s to his friends. He decides to do it in his favorite way – in disguise. Another favorite from the Turkey in Trouble series. If you made a Disguise a Turkey craft at Thanksgiving, you will love this book.
Here is the link to the read aloud.
8. This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins
Do you have boys in class who think giving Valentines is way too mushy? Try reading this one…it is full of ways a young boy tries to show he likes someone without telling her. In the end, he learns that showing love is a good thing.
Here is the link to the read aloud.
9. Grumpy Monkey’s Valentine Gross-out by Suzanne Lang
Another great Valentine’s book for the boys! Grumpy Monkey thinks love and all that kissy-stuff is gross…until he learns that love is more than just kissing and couples. Love is also about friends and family and showing how much we care about them.
Here is the link to the read aloud.
10. Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish
Amelia Bedelia is at it again! While making Valentines for her class, she learns from her family the different traditions of Valentine’s Day. Then she forgets all her friends’ valentines on the bus the next day. Amelia Bedelia uses her typical resourcefulness to make new Valentines and her friends are delighted. A wonderful addition to the whole Amelia Bedelia series!.
Here is the link to the read aloud.
Grab my FREE Valentine Card Craft HERE!
Happy Teaching,
