a trio of sweets for valentines

Looking for a sweet book for a Valentine’s gift?
Or just an affectionate tale for a cuddly storytime?
Try these new and old winners:

I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home, written by Kathryn Cristaldi, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
published in 2018 by HarperCollins Childrens Books

“I will love you till the cows come home from a trip to Mars through skies unknown in a rocket ship made of glass and stone. I will love you till the cows come home.”

The effervescent verses continue, effusively declaring limitless love, with yaks and sheep, frogs and ants all trekking about on far-flung journeys, none of them stretching farther than the bounds of love. Pleasant as pie, darling and dashing, packed with love yet never veering into maudlin sentimentality. A charmer to read to your little ones before sending them off to sleep. Ages 3 and up.

Love Matters Most, written by Mij Kelly, illustrated by Gerry Turley
published in 2016 by Little, Brown and Company

Here’s a sweetly sentimental look at the relentless, mama-bear quality of love with a Runaway Bunny flavor.

What can this polar bear mama be searching for on such a fiercely cold night? The answer is a little white bundle huddled in a cave. Her search takes her across arctic spaces stunningly illustrated by Gerry Turley. Affectionate fare for ages 18 months and up.

Froggy Went A-Courtin’, an old folk song illustrated by Gillian Tyler
published in 2005 by Candlewick Press

Gillian Tyler takes this quirky, 400-year-old folk song and treats it with her characteristically exquisite illustration work.

Botanical elements mix with the fanciful as the wedding of the frog and mouse takes place in this tiny woodland community. Elegance and whimsy, and golden hand-lettering  trim out this merrily romantic tale. Ages 4 and up.

Lots more favorites full of love and affection for any ol’ day of the year can be found on my Valentine’s Day page.