Read Love Books to Celebrate Love
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of one of the biggest feelings we have: LOVE! It’s about more than roses and chocolates, cards and conversation hearts. Read books selected by the team at Sparkler Learning with your little one to explore different kinds of love: love between mothers and children, love between siblings, love between friends.
Mama, Do You Love Me?
A heartwarming tale of motherly love unfolds in the Arctic north: A girl asks her mother how much she loves her, even when she's naughty, and receives loving answers. Expect beautiful illustrations with whales, wolves, puffins, and sled dogs. (This book is also available in Spanish, Me Quieres, Mama?)
Age Groups: Babies, Big Kids, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings
Discussion Questions
- What does the child say to her mother, and what does the mother say in return?
- What do you think the lesson of the story is?
- Recall a time when your child did something that left you feeling sorry, angry, or surprised. Remind him or her that you loved them even then!
- Have YOU ever felt sorry, angry, or surprised with something that YOU did? Let's talk about it.
Love Makes a Family
Love is baking a special cake, lending a hand, reading one more story at bedtime. The thing that unites all families — no matter what they look like — is LOVE!
Age Groups: Babies, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings
Discussion Questions
- Let's think of small acts of love in OUR family today: Making breakfast, helping to put on socks and shoes, kissing a bumped knee?
- Notice the illustrations as you read. Who are the members of each family? Do you know any families like the ones included in this book?
- Who is in YOUR family?
The Invisible String
Mom tells Jeremy & Liza that they're all connected by an "invisible string" of love. It's a story about the tie that really binds! It's also available in Spanish ("El hilo invisible").
Age Groups: Babies, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings
Discussion Questions
- What is the invisible string?
- How do you know it's there?
- Who is YOUR invisible string connected to? Let's think about each person and "tug on" their string.
On Mother’s Lap
This is a story about family and love. A little Inuit boy discovers there's room for himself and his baby sister on their mother's lap. (This is also available in Spanish: "En las Piernas de Mamá.")
Age Groups: Babies, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings
Discussion Questions
- What are some things that Michael loves? What are some things that YOU love?
- Notice Michael’s facial expressions throughout the story. How does he feel about Baby joining him on Mother’s lap? How does he feel when they are all rocking together?
- Have you ever felt like Michael?
The Runaway Bunny
The Runaway Bunny is a classic picture book about a young bunny who wants to become more independent. The little bunny says he wants to run away and his mother says she'll come after him. (This is also available in Spanish: El Conejito Andarín.)
Age Groups: Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings, Independence
Discussion Questions
- Why does the mother rabbit keep telling her baby she will come after him?
- Recall a time when you and your child were separated, like going to work and daycare/school or going to bed at night. How do you stay connected even when you are not together?
- Which is your favorite illustration in the story?
Oonga Boonga
This book is about the special bond between siblings: Only big brother Daniel can make baby Louise stop crying, although the rest of the family tries everything!
Age Groups: Babies, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: family, Feelings
Discussion Questions
- How many people show love to baby Louise? Count them!
- How do the family members show their love?
- Is “oonga boonga” the trick to help baby Louise feel happy again? What else might be making her happy? Why?
City Dog, Country Frog
"City Dog, Country Frog" is a story about friendship. City Dog comes to the country on a beautiful spring day and he meets Country Frog. They become friends and explore the different seasons together — as well as friendship, compromise, aging, and loss.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: Feelings, friendship
Discussion Questions
- How did City Dog and Country Frog become friends?
- At the start of their friendship, Country Frog tells City Dog that he is “waiting for a friend, but you’ll do.” What does he mean? Does City Dog surprise the Frog?
- What do the characters learn from each other?
- Has your child ever missed someone who he/she loves?
Frog and Toad are Friends
This is a story of friendship! From writing letters to going swimming, Frog and Toad are always there for each other — just as best friends should be. (This is also available in Spanish, "Sapo y Sepo son Amigos.")
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids, Toddlers
Skills: Feelings, friendship
Discussion Questions
- What are some loving things that Frog and Toad do for each other?
- Do Frog or Toad ever feel grumpy, frustrated, or angry? Do they still love each other?
- Which is your favorite story about Frog and Toad? Does it remind you of a story that happened in YOUR life with your friend?
Sparkler Learning is a non-profit organization that helps parents and caregivers and the organizations that serve get children off to a strong start. Sparkler is presenting Big Heart World in partnership with Noggin and with generous support from the Walton Family Foundation.