It’s really fun to be around kids at Valentine’s Day. The heart shaped candies, the secret admirers, and all the pretty decorations are so entertaining. Why not add something extra special that kids can still enjoy after the candy is eaten.
AMELIA BEDELIA’S FIRST VALENTINE, by Herman Parish, follows the popular little heroine’s day from the first moment she sees hearts everywhere, and realizes she’s surrounded with love. Amelia takes everything very literally, so when her teacher tells her she’s wearing her heart on her sleeve, she checks to make sure it isn’t there. Colorful, and very enjoyable to read with a youngster.
Victoria Kann’s PINKALICIOUS: PINK OF HEARTS includes eight Valentine cards, stickers, and a fold-out poster. How cool is that? It is, in the words of her mom and dad, “pinkturesque” and “Valentinalicious.” Best friend Alison gets a special handmade card for the holiday, and a wonderful time is had by all in Mr. Pushkin’s classroom.
LOVE, SPLAT, by Rob Scotton, is the latest in a series that includes SPLAT THE CAT. Our title character likes his classmate, Kitten, even more than he likes ice cream and fish sticks. After all, she has pea green eyes and snowy white fur. But does she like him? Or does she prefer Spike? Who will win her dainty little paw? A Valentine’s Day card holds the answer.
Another affectionate little creature is at the center of HUGS FROM PEARL, by Paul Schmid. What’s a sweet young porcupine to do when she has needle sharp quills but a soft heart? Nobody wants to hug her and risk getting jabbed. Watching the bees buzz around a thorny rosebush gives her an idea. Soon, all her classmates are able to give Pearl the big hugs she craves.
Who wouldn’t want to PLANT A KISS on Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Little Miss? She likes to share with her friends, who are all sizes and colors. This is a book to be treasured, especially since it’s full of sparkles, and teaches children that generosity brings happy results.
Kristen Mayer’s ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, A CHIPMUNK VALENTINE gives us a holiday with the beloved rodent and his friends, Theodore and Simon. They are now attending West Eastman High, and need to decide what to give their girlfriends, the Chipettes. Flowers, chocolate, cards? All good, but best of all, they plan a serenade at the school dance.
Children get us into the spirit of holidays, and since Valentine’s Day is all about whom we love, and making those people feel cherished, it’s a great time to show the kids in our lives just how special we feel they are.
All books are from Harper Collins Children’s Books.
Michall Jeffers is an accomplished Cultural Journalist and an avowed bibliophile. She writes extensively, both in print and online. Her eponymous cable TV show is syndicated throughout the tri-state area, and features celebrity interviews, reviews, and commentary. Michall is a voting member of National Book Critics Circle. www.michalljeffers.com
