While Valentine’s Day might occur in February, it’s ALWAYS a good time to enjoy a delightful picture book you’ll love. You’re sure to enjoy these books on your own as an adult and with the young children in your life, too.

This collection was curated by Amy Soto. Also known as, Mother Goose Librarian on Facebook & Instagram, Amy is a retired Elementary School Librarian and Reading Specialist who has a passion for picture books. In addition to collecting picture books, Amy enjoys scrapbooking, cooking, baking, and caring for her church’s Little Free Library.

You Are Loved: A Book About Families by Margaret O’Hair, illustrated by Sofia Cardozo.

This beautiful picture book demonstrates to readers that a family is made up of people who love you.  Through the sweet illustrations, children are able to see a wide range of families who are made up of people of varying cultures, colors, religions, those with disabilities, sexual orientation, and that, “There’s no right or wrong way to be a family.”  Readers are reassured that a family makes you feel loved.  You Are Loved is the perfect book to share when learning about families, or when discussing love, diversity, and acceptance. Make sure you check under the book jacket at the case cover, for a surprise and admire the lovely end pages.

Bird House by Blanca Gómez

The Bird House is a sweet and tender tale. Spare text with paper collage and digital illustrations in a muted color palette, it tells the story of Abuela and her grandson’s rescue of an injured bird on a winter day. While the care and healing of the bird is the main theme of the story, Gómez also masterfully weaves in the story of the loving bond between a grandmother and grandchild. Peek under the dust jacket to see the spectacular case cover of The Bird House. Not only will bird and nature lovers enjoy this delightful picture book, but it will also be a hit with family (especially grandparents) read alouds and story times.

Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah & illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Randa Abdel-Fattah’s Eleven Words for Love is a truly heartfelt story of the many ways to say love in the beautiful Arabic language. While sharing these ways to express the different kinds of love, she simultaneously tells the heartbreaking story of a family who flees their homeland, with only one suitcase, seeking safety in another country.  Maxine Beneba Clarke’s gorgeous illustrations were created with watercolor and collage on textured cardstock. Within the artwork, is the Arabic word written in script, as well as the phonetic way to pronounce each word for love. Share this important picture book with all age groups, including teens and adults. 

Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms & illustrated by Tisha Lee

Love Grows Everywhere‘s lyrical and poetic text is a delightful, love letter to our diverse and beautiful world. Tisha Lee’s artwork reveals the essence of the poem, while telling a story of a stunning, diverse community depicting kindness, acceptance, and love. A family of gardeners lovingly tend and sell the plants that they grow. In their community, readers see love of many kinds. When a new boy moves to the neighborhood, can the gardener’s daughter show kindness and acceptance towards him? This is the perfect picture book to share when discussing kindness, caring, acceptance, and of course, love.

Remember byJoy Harjo & illustrated by Michaela Goade

This is a gorgeous picture book adaptation of a poem that deals with reflections on nature, family and on oneself in this world. Joy Harjo, poet laureate, is a member of the Mvskoke Nation and Michaela Goade is Tlingit. Stunning paintings bring the poem to life visually. Share this wonderful poem picture book with anyone you can. It’s the perfect gift or read aloud for any occasion. 

I Wish You More by Amy Krause Rosenthal & illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

I Wish You More is a sweet, yet poignant story filled with beautiful and sometimes silly, wishes for the reader. Poetic and perfectly profound text is paired with whimsical illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld. Illustrations were created with ink, watercolors, pastels, colored pencils with digital assistance. This story is full of heart and inspiration for love and happiness. Make I Wish You More a special addition to your collection and a gift to anyone who could use a little love.

Every Life by Marla Frazee

If you’re not yet familiar with Frazee’s work, Every Life is a stunning piece of art that you will want to check out. Spare and profound text with stunningly gorgeous art, rendered in pencil and gouache, tell the beautiful story of love, wonder, and life’s blessings. This is truly a book to be savored and adored. It’s perfect for all ages and is a 2024 Caldecott winner.

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & illustrated by Gordon C. James

Beautiful, poetic, and affirming words of a young boy are the message of I Am Everything. Each page is bursting with positivity and self love. Bold, bright, and stunning art, images of diverse people are the illustrations that provide readers with additional positivity. Be sure to notice and appreciate the striking end pages. Together, Barnes and James have created a pleasing read aloud for any age group. I Am Everything is a perfect inspiration for writing one’s own poem/story of self love. 

The I Love You Book by Todd Parr

If you are not yet familiar with Todd Parr’s books, The I Love You Book is the perfect one to begin with. It is a love letter from a parent to a child. With simple, repetitive “I love you when … “ statements, Parr, sweetly, reassures readers of love at various states. “I love you when you are silly.” “I love you when you are sad.” Bright, and bold illustrations depict lighthearted and whimsical characters and settings. The I Love You Book is a delightful read aloud whether you want a positively affirming story time book, or a cozy bedtime story.

Where Thuong Keeps Love by Thu Buu & illustrated by Bao Lu.

In Where Thuong Keeps Love, a young girl wonders where her friends and family “keep their love.” One day, while in school she asks her friends this important question. She discovers all the beautiful places in the body where one can keep their love. Whether it’s in a tummy because eating all your vegetables makes a mom happy, or in a voice that says I love you, Thuong learns that everyone keeps love in their own special place. Illustrations depict a brilliantly diverse group of characters and add depth and affirming mirrors for children to see themselves in a beautifully diverse picture book.