Discover 11 great books children’s books about love!
Did you know science shows that giving hugs to your little one every day can make a big impact in their health and in their life? The words we say and the love we give make a big difference today and well into the future of your little learner.
So while you cuddle up to enjoy these book recommendations, know that you are doing more than helping them learn words. With quality time and affection, you are protecting them against stress and improving their physical health.
EXTRA YARN
Mac Barnett, author, and Jon Klassen, illustrator
Best for: Two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school-age
Annabelle lives in a black-and-white world, where everything is drab. So imagine her surprise when she finds a box filled with yarn of every color. Armed with the yarn and knitting needles, she makes herself a sweater, but after she finishes, she finds that she has extra yarn leftover. After knitting a sweater for her dog, her classmates, and various (hilariously unsurprised) bunnies and bears, she still has extra yarn. So, Annabelle turns her attention to things that don’t usually wear wool cozies: houses and cars and mailboxes.
After you read: Make a pile of clothes that your little one has outgrown. Now, find things around the house to put those clothes on and have a giggle! House plant wearing a onesie? Potatoes wearing little socks?
With older children, talk about donating clothes that are no longer of use to you and make a trip together to a donation center.
Read more about teaching children the art of giving.
I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE
Lisa McCourt. Author and, Cyd Moore. Illustrator
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds
The story is focused on a bedtime chat between a mother and son. It details unconditional love in an imaginative way. The mom tells her little boy she’ll love him even if he turns into a Cyclops or a Swamp Monster or a Skunk — I love you, Stinky Face. If a kid might have fears about being imperfect or flawed, it’s a nice way for a parent to reassure him or her that we’ll always love them anyway.
After you read: Come up with your own examples of how much you love each other. “I’ll love you even if you grow 20 legs!”
LOVE MOUSERELLA
David Ezra Stein, author and illustrator
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds
Mouserella misses her grandmouse, so she writes her a letter. At first, she can’t think of anything to say. But once she starts, the news begins to flow: She found a cat whisker at the zoo, taught her ladybug to fetch and made shadow puppets with Dadmouse during a blackout. And just like that, the events of the past few days come to vivid life in her letter, as does her love for Grandmouse.
After you read: pick a family member or friend to write a letter to. Have your little learner make scribbles or draw a picture, and join them in writing a letter too! For older kids, write their name in pencil and have them trace it, so they can learn how to sign their own correspondence.
RORY THE DINOSAUR: ME AND MY DAD
Liz Climo, author
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds
Rory the dinosaur loves spending time with his dad. But today, he wants to go on his own adventure and explore his island home. He can’t wait to tell his dad about the things he can do all by himself from crossing rivers to finding shelter from the rain. Little does Rory know, his father is never far behind. There’s nothing Rory’s dad won’t do for his intrepid son — he’ll even let him think he’s made the journey all by himself.
After you read: Ask, “where would you go if you wanted to have an adventure?” And, “what would you pack in your bag to prepare for an adventure?”
KITCHEN DANCE
Maurie J. Manning, author
Best for: Four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school age, read along with preschool and pre-k learners
A little girl wakes in the night to mysterious, inviting noises. She rouses her brother, and they sneak downstairs and peek into the kitchen. To their amazement and delight, their parents are dancing and singing “Como te quiero! Oh, how I love you!”— as they clean up and put food away.
After you read: Have a cleaning dance party. Play your favorite music and pick a room. Now, let’s tidy up and twirl!
BETTY BUNNY LOVES CHOCOLATE CAKE
Michael Kaplan, author and Stephane Jorisch, illustrator
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds
Betty Bunny is the youngest in her family of rabbits and she’s just discovering the important things in life, like chocolate cake. She declares, “I am going to marry chocolate cake” and takes a piece to school with her in her pocket. Mom values healthy eating and tells Betty Bunny she needs patience when it comes to dessert. But Betty Bunny doesn’t want patience, she wants chocolate cake!
After you read: Ask, “what do you love the most in the world?” And, “how do you know you love it so much?”
LOVE MONSTER
Rachel Bright, author and illustrator
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-oldsS
Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy — he looks high, low and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.
After you read: Ask, “Have you ever felt the way Love Monster feels in this story?” And, “what do you think people can do to make new friends?”
THREAD OF LOVE
Written by Kabir Sehgal and Shrestha Sehgal, illustrated by Zara Gonzalez Hoang
Best for: Two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds, reading along with pre-school and pre-k learners
It’s time for the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan, the celebration of the special lifelong relationship shared by brothers and sisters everywhere. Join two sisters as they lovingly make rakhi—thread bracelets adorned with beads, sequins, sparkles, and tassels—for their brother. And then see their brother present them with toys and sweets and special gifts!
After you read: ask your child, “who do you want to give a present to?” “What gifts say ‘I love you’ to the person who gets them?”
LOVE
Matt de la Peña, author and, Loren Long. Illustrator
Best for: Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school age, read along with preschool and pre-k learners
This book covers everything from the wonder of new-parent love to comforting loved ones in the face of tragedy. It’s a beautiful, lovingly written and warmly illustrated book that offers readers the chance to celebrate bonds and to confront fears.”
After you read: Ask, “what did you like the most about this story?” And, “what are your favorite ways that we show love in our family?” Don’t forget to tell your little one all the ways you appreciate how they show you love too!
UNI THE UNICORN
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, author and, Brigette Barrager, illustrator
Best for: Four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school age, read along with preschool and pre-k learners
Uni is just like all the other unicorns, except for one thing: she believes that little girls are REAL. But Uni the unicorn is told there’s no such thing as little girls! Somewhere there must be a smart, strong, wonderful, magical little girl waiting to be best friends. In fact, far away (but not too far away), a real little girl believes there is a unicorn waiting for her, too. This magical story of friendship reminds believers and non-believers alike that sometimes wishes really can come true.
After you read: Ask, “do you have a best friend?” And, “what makes a friend a best friend?” You can also make yourselves some unicorn horns with paper and art supplies. Then, take best-friend-family-unicorn selfies together!
NOW ONE FOOT, NOW THE OTHER
Tomie Depaola, author and illustrator
Best for: Four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school age, read along with preschool and pre-k learners
This is the story of how Bobby and grandpa learn how to walk. First, Bobby as a toddler followed by grandpa after having a stroke. This shows children how relationships change as people grow. Also, how there are special ways of saying “I love you” that go beyond words. The story also has lessons in empathy and friendship.
After you read: Ask, “why do you think Bobby and grandpa’s friendship is so special?” You can also build towers of blocks together and then sneeze!
