My Favorite Picture Books to Read in February

What are your feelings about the month of February? In my experience, people usually fall into one of two categories. They are either counting the days until Valentine’s Day or desperately waiting for spring. It’s like Groundhog Day. There are those that see their shadow and are tired of the cold weather, and there are those who are too busy eating conversation hearts to notice their shadow.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’m eating the conversation hearts. February is one of my favorite months of the year. I got married in February, I enjoy the cold weather, and I’m going to say it…I adore Valentine’s day. 

“But Shannon, it’s a fake holiday.” 

To which I reply, “To who?” Just because Hallmark is cashing in on it, doesn’t make it less of a holiday. Valentine’s Day was established way back in 496 A.D. to honor Saint Valentine, who had died on February 14th in 269. It’s a day that should remind us to love those around us. Not just our significant others, but our children, family, friends, and neighbors.

You don’t need to buy a $10 card or a box of chocolates to show someone you care. Make brunch, tell them what makes them special in a handwritten note, or share one of your favorite books. I think it is so important to share that with our little ones. We don’t need more chocolate (that was hard to type), but we do need more love. Let’s teach our kids that the warmth of love exists even in those dark, cold months.

Here are a few books that are perfect to read to your children during the month of love. I've also included suggestions for crafts that go along with each book. 

Saint Valentine
by Robert Sabuda

Recounts an incident in the life of St. Valentine, a physician who lived some 200 years after Christ, in which he treated a small child for blindness.
Craft: Make a yellow crocus craft

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The Story of Valentine's Day
by Clyde Robert Bulla

Relates the history and describes the customs of this holiday from its beginning in Roman times to the present. Includes directions for making a paper valentine and sugar cookies.
Craft: Write an acrostic valentine

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The Ballad of Valentine
by Alison Jackson

An ardent suitor tries various means of communication, from smoke signals to Morse code to skywriting, in order to get his message to his Valentine.
​Craft: Bake Valentine's Day cookies

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The Day It Rained Hearts
by Felicia Bond

"One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. Each heart is special in its own way. Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to."
Craft: Make and deliver valentines to neighbors and friends

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Shannon Hargreaves is a self-proclaimed Avon Grove Yoga Instructor Librarian. Preschoolers and their caregivers can join her on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month for Stories and Stretching at Penn Township Park! If stretching isn't your thing, you can check out Shannon's book reviews and hilarious videos at @the_reel_bookery on Instagram.

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