Whether you’re looking for a sweet love-themed board book for Valentine’s Day or a bedtime board book to curl up with your little one at night, below are some of our family’s favorites!
Favorite Love-Themed Board Books
Baby Loves
By Abrams Appleseed
By the same author of the popular Making Faces, this love-themed board book goes through different objects that babies love and has your toddler find that object on the page. We love the last page when it says, “But most of all, babies love to feel loved.” My toddler always says, “Aww,” and then tries to give all the babies on the page a hug.
Snuggle Puppy
By Sandra Boynton
This is a fun rhyming book about a mom dog’s love for her little puppy that has you engage with your little one by kissing and snuggling with them. There are a couple of parts where its says, “Oooooh!” My daughter always likes to point to each O and the exclamation mark. Leave it to say that O was the first letter of the alphabet she learned.
Little Blue Truck’s Valentine
By Alice Schertle, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
I’ll probably always include a Little Blue Truck book in my board book lists if there’s one that relates. In this story, our beloved Blue delivers thoughtful Valentine’s cards to all his farm animal friends. They return his kindness at the end with a surprise of their own. Enjoy Schertle’s rhyming, heartfelt message and McElmurry’s charming illustrations , which you can always expect in this series.
You’re My Little Cuddle Bug
By Nicola Edwards, Illustrated by Natalie Marshall
My parents gifted my daughter this book for Christmas, and it’s quickly become a favorite in our house. Cuddle up with your kiddos and talk about all the ways you love them, complete with cute bugs and a fun rhyming pattern that children adore.
Love is Patient, Love is Kind
By Naoko Stoop
This book is beautifully illustrated by Stoop on different planks of wood, and the art reminds me of my time in Japan. The text is simply the popular wedding verse about love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. However, each illustration is an interpretation of different parts of the verse. It’s a great way to talk about the pictures and emotions with your toddler, as well as teach them about what love is and isn’t.
I Love You: Baby Touch and Feel
By DK
What baby or young toddler isn’t entranced by real photographs of cute animals and touch-and-feel elements? This one has both! It even has a heart-shaped mirror at the end—because we all know how little ones love to look at the baby staring back at them!
Mommy Hugs
By Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
What’s sweeter than the love between a mother and her young child? Enjoy seeing how different baby animals show affection with their mamas in this adorable book. Make it memorable by acting out each page with your little one.
Daddy Kisses
By Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
From the same authors as Mommy Hugs, this love-themed board book similarly depicts daddy animals showing affection to their babies. These two short and simple books provide great bonding experience between parents and children.
Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram
This book is a classic that has stood the test of time, and it is available as a board book. Granted, it’s a little wordy for the younger toddlers. Whenever my daughter doesn’t have the patience for all the words, I paraphrase while we both enjoy Jeram’s sweet illustrations. And we love the iconic ending: “I love you to the moon and back.”
Love You Forever
By Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Sheila McGraw
Another classic, this tearjerker is all about the love between a mother and son through the years. If you’re a Friends fan, you’ll also recognize this book as Joey’s last-minute performance for Ross and Rachel’s baby shower. My daughter enjoys the tune that I made up for the song in the book.
Our family loves reading seasonally, and I like to believe it makes for cozy childhood memories. Does your family have a favorite love-themed board book or Valentine’s read?
For more seasonal board books, check out: