10+ Best Valentine Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect read to celebrate Valentine's Day with your little one? You're in the right spot! Our curated list of Valentine books for 4-year-olds is packed with charming stories that capture the spirit of love and friendship. Whether you're snuggling up for storytime or looking for a sweet gift, these books are sure to delight. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks!

Fun Valentine Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Little Llama shows love by making heart-shaped cards for his friends and family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sweet, simple story that introduces young readers to the joy of giving and expressing love through small acts of kindness.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy warm, cozy stories about love and friendship.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
  • Synopsis: This charming tale features Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, who express their love for each other in increasingly large and imaginative measures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the boundless nature of love between a parent and child, making it a perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents looking for a heartwarming story to share.

• Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Join Mouse from "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" as he celebrates Valentine’s Day by showing his friends how much he cares about them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of friendship and expressing affection, which are valuable lessons for preschoolers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendship and festive celebrations.

• Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: One day, it starts raining hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them, deciding to create special valentines for her friends.
  • Why we recommend this book: This imaginative story encourages creativity and thoughtfulness, inspiring kids to make their own heartfelt gifts.
  • Perfect for: Creative children who love crafting and personalizing gifts for others.

• Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: The Very Hungry Caterpillar shows what love means, from smiling at someone to making them feel special.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a beloved character to explain love in a way that’s easy for young children to understand and appreciate.
  • Perfect for: Fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and young readers learning about emotions and relationships.

Educational Valentine Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Mrs. Bear plans a special Valentine's Day celebration for Mr. Bear, who usually sleeps through the holiday.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of holidays, family bonding, creativity in showing love
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that emphasizes the joy of planning a surprise for someone you care about.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about family and holiday celebrations.

• Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: When Gilbert writes honest but mean valentines to two classmates, he learns about forgiveness and kindness after his feelings get hurt too.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, social skills, consequences of actions
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about kindness and the impact of our words in a humorous and relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who appreciate a good laugh along with a meaningful lesson.

• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: Mr. Hatch leads a lonely life until an anonymous Valentine's Day gift brings him joy and leads him to interact more with his community.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Community engagement, emotional awareness, the importance of kindness
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a touching tale that shows how small acts of kindness can transform lives.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about the importance of community and caring for others.

• Love, Splat by Rob Scotton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Splat the Cat has a crush on Kitten, and he's trying to muster up the courage to give her a Valentine's card.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, bravery in social situations, literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a sweet and funny story that addresses the challenges of first crushes and valentine's day in school.
  • Perfect for: Young readers experiencing or observing early crushes and social dynamics.

• Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Conceptual
  • Synopsis: Little Miss plants a kiss and watches it grow and spread happiness everywhere.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sharing, emotional growth, cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively illustrates how a small act of love can expand and touch many lives.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy whimsical stories with a meaningful underlying message.

Challenging Valentine Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Two best friends try to avoid bedtime by staying up late, but they are interrupted by contagious yawns that might just end their fun.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of language and the concept of fighting sleep introduce complex cognitive ideas to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that encourages a love for reading through its humorous take on bedtime routines.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good giggle before bedtime.

• Tomorrow I'll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book encourages children to promise to try new things, do their best, and be brave the next day.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts like bravery and persistence, which are advanced for young children but presented in an accessible way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to be the best they can be and provides a positive outlook on facing new challenges.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are preparing for or facing new experiences.

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: When something terrible happens to Taylor, all the animals come to help, but only the rabbit quietly listens to Taylor's problems.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of empathy and listening, which are sophisticated emotional concepts for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of being there for someone not just by talking, but by listening—a valuable life skill.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about empathy and how to comfort others.

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: An imaginary friend, Beekle, waits to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked, he undertakes a journey to find his perfect match himself.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative explores deep themes of existence, purpose, and belonging, which are complex for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated story that celebrates friendship and the power of believing in oneself.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fantastical adventures and exploring big ideas.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Growth Mindset
  • Synopsis: A young girl attempts to create the most magnificent thing with her assistant, her dog, but finds that the task is harder than she thought.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of perseverance and frustration in problem-solving, encouraging a growth mindset in young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of keeping on trying, even when things don’t go as planned.
  • Perfect for: Creative children who are learning to navigate the challenges of making something unique.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

As Valentine's Day approaches, it's a sweet opportunity to cultivate a love for reading in your 4-year-old. Here are some engaging exercises you can incorporate into your reading sessions that not only celebrate the theme of love but also foster good reading habits. These activities are designed to be fun and effective for little learners!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read a Valentine-themed book with your child.
  • How it helps: Regular reading improves vocabulary and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Choose a cozy, quiet spot for reading and make this a special bonding time.

• Create a Book-themed Valentine’s Craft
  • What it is: After reading a book, create a craft related to the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple materials like paper, crayons, and glue to keep the focus on fun and creativity.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Encourage your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Builds memory and sequencing skills.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the story to guide their retelling and keep them engaged.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as favorite characters from the Valentine’s Day books you read.
  • How it helps: Deepens connection with the characters and enhances imaginative play.
  • Tips: Keep costumes simple and fun, using items you already have at home.

• Book Scavenger Hunt
  • What it is: Hide objects related to the Valentine’s Day story around the house for your child to find.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and exciting.
  • Tips: Use clear hints from the story to make the scavenger hunt educational.

Incorporating these exercises into your Valentine's Day reading routine will not only make reading fun but also instill a lifelong love for books in your young one. Enjoy this special reading time with your child, and watch as they grow into eager and skilled readers!