I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time finding Valentine picture books that I like. Perhaps I am too picky. Then again, maybe not. Part of the problem that I have is that we homeschool our children and a great number of Valentine picture books take place in classroom situations. That is all well and good but we don’t identify with them very well. (We do make Valentines for our close friends and family, but nothing on a massive scale.) Nor do I go for books which talk much about boyfriends and girlfriends. I’m always on the lookout for something I find more suitable for kids ages 1-6 (coincidentally the age range of my children!) that are a bit more general in their “love theme.” When offered a chance to review these two titles from Candlewick Press, I jumped on it!
A Kiss Like This, by Mary Murphy is a perfect fit for my almost two year old. It’s all about bestowing affectionate little pecks on one another. Featuring animals, it’s a sweet and cuddly read. It compares how different animals give kisses (e.g., giraffes give gentle and tall kisses while mice give quick and small kisses) while allowing the reader to bestow their own little hen pecks as they go along. This is a fantastic book for loving mommies and daddies (grandparents, etc.) to read with their babies. Get some extra cuddle time in with this one!
Bear in Love had a much more complex storyline than the above title. This book, by Daniel Pinkwater, tells us the story of Bear who awakes each day to find tasty, crunchy treats left outside of his cave. He doesn’t know who is leaving the treats for him, but he speculates in little songs and enjoys his snacks tremendously. Eventually he decides to leave a return gift and tries to stay awake to see who this secret admirer is. Unfortunately he keeps falling asleep and so his anonymous friend remains anonymous for some period of time. The carrot is a dead giveaway, really, and, at the conclusion of the story, an unlikely friendship is formed.
The illustrations by Will Hillenbrand really bring this story to life. I particularly enjoyed how he used dull and lighter colors to cause the background to fade into the, well, uh, background, while giving all of the life and color to the main characters in this book. It really makes Bear and Bunny pop out of the page a bit.
My older two enjoyed this story and thus our home Valentine’s Day book collection grows by two titles. Hurrah!
The giveaway is closed.
Would you care to expand your book collection as well? I am delighted to say that Candlewick Press has offered to give away one copy of each of the above titles to one of you!
Thank you, Candlewick Press, for your generosity to our readers. Thank you also for sending the above books my direction in exchange for my honest thoughts.
We have a ton of current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.
The winner of Afterwife is #1 Van.
Carrie’s children’s book collection is getting quite large. But she’s not complaining. She talks about their books, as well as those she reads for her own personal pleasure over at Reading to Know.
Amy says
Bear in Love looks especially cute. Sign me up!
Liz says
Please enter my name. Thank you.
Jennifer says
You won this giveaway! Please reply to this email with your shipping info.
Liz V. says
E-mailed info. Thank you.
Angela E. says
I know someone who would like these stories.
Stephanie Kay says
I’m with you. I don’t care for books just about making cards or about boy/girlfriend love for elementary students. I must prefer love in the family context. Both of these look really cute and fun.
Annette {This Simple Mom} says
Oh, these do look delightful!
ellie says
What a delight. many thanks.
diane says
This would be ideal for my grandson.
Cindi says
Our children adore books…Seasonal books are always a derivation from the everyday books!
These Valentine’s Day books from Candlewick
Press are adorable. Many thanks for this wonderful
opportunity to win new and fun books…
Cindi
Wehaf says
I think the illustrations for Bear in Love look so sweet!
Merry says
I love finding new, sweet books for my grandchildren, these sound terrific.
June says
Two nice children’s books.
Margaret says
My kids would be thrilled to have these books for Valentines!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
Don says
Our little guy will like these story books.
Jessica T says
I’d love to win these for my nephew!
riTa says
What delightful books to give to/or read to my littlest grandkids.
nannypanpan says
would love these for my lil valentine
[email protected]
Beth C says
I’d love these books for my little grandchildren.
Lori D. says
I’d like to read these to my niece & nephew.
Christine W says
So cute…thanks for the chance!
Garrett says
Will read to my little nephew.
Van says
Looks like a good book.