Best Picture Books for Valentine’s Day (2026): 5 Compared

Valentine’s Day is a sweet excuse to read together, and the best picture books for valentine’s day are the ones that match your child’s age. We compared five valentine’s day picture books by pages, reading age and grade, using only what each listing publishes. Every pick names who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Pete the Cat Valentine's Day	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Love Is	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Valentine Bears	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Love You	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Love Is My Favorite Thing	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Pete the Cat Valentine's Day

James Dean·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 24-page Pete the Cat book with a poster and stickers, suited to a 3-6 year old.

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Pros

• Poster, stickers, cards
• 24 pages, 3-6 years
• Pete the Cat series

Cons

• 24 pages, the shortest here
• 3-6 years, not for older kids
• 2013 publication, older

2

Love Is

Diane Adams·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page rhyming book about a girl and a duckling, suited to a 2-6 year old.

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Pros

• 32 pages, 2-6 years
• Rhyming, read-aloud
• Animal story

Cons

• No extras stated
• 32 pages, mid-length
• 2017 publication, older

3

The Valentine Bears

Eve Bunting·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page gift edition about bears and valentine's day, suited to a 4-7 year old.

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Pros

• 40 pages, gift edition
• 4-7 years, Preschool-3
• Holiday classic

Cons

• 4-7 years, not for toddlers
• 2016 publication, older
• 40 pages, longer for young kids

4

Love You

Peter H. Reynolds·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page poetic gift book, suited to a 2-6 year old or a gift buyer.

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Pros

• 32 pages, 2-6 years
• Gift book format
• Poetic, universal

Cons

• No extras stated
• 32 pages, mid-length
• Poetic, not a story

5

Love Is My Favorite Thing

Emma Chichester Clark·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page book about a dog who loves, suited to a 2-6 year old who likes dogs.

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Pros

• 32 pages, 2-6 years
• Dog story
• Simple text

Cons

• No grade stated
• 32 pages, mid-length
• 2020 publication, older

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Franklin's Valentines32 pages, 2-6 yearsCheck on Amazon
• Arthur's Valentine32 pages, 5-10 yearsCheck on Amazon
• The Littlest Valentine24 pages, 3-5 yearsCheck on Amazon
• Valentines Are the Worst!40 pages, 4-8 yearsCheck on Amazon
• Valentine's Day in the Village32 pages, 4-8 yearsCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a valentine’s day reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books for valentine’s day

Match the age

Pete the Cat is 3-6 years; Love Is, Love Is My Favorite Thing and Love You are 2-6 years; The Valentine Bears is 4-7 years. For more valentine’s reads, see our best children’s books for valentine’s day.

Gift or read-aloud

Pete the Cat includes a poster, stickers and cards; Love You is a gift book. For mother’s day, see our best picture books for mother’s day.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: 2-6, 3-6 or 4-7 years here.
• Count the pages: 24 to 40 pages.
• Pete the Cat includes a poster, stickers and cards.
• Confirm the grade: Preschool to Preschool-3.
• Check the format: hardcover or paperback on each listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book includes extras?

Pete the Cat with a poster, stickers and punch-out cards.

Which is for the youngest?

Love Is, Love Is My Favorite Thing and Love You at 2-6 years.

Which has the most pages?

The Valentine Bears at 40 pages.

Which is a gift edition?

The Valentine Bears Gift Edition and Love You.

Still deciding? Our top pickPete the Cat Valentine's Day

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Related lists

See every picture book list and all kids and teens books lists. Also see our best children’s books for valentine’s day.

More lists: browse picture books, kids and teens books and picture books for mother’s day.