These books are favorites that kids have loved over the
years. As you read them you can see why! Animals are the characters, although
these behave like kids. These titles are also still engaging kids because the
writing is fresh, the stories tickle imaginations, and the illustrations keep
readers attention. Show your favorite young people your love when you read
these terrific tales.
Henry and the
Valentine Surprise
by Nancy Carlson
Henry, a mouse, and his animal classmates
notice a heart shaped box on their teacher’s desk. When they ask Mr. McCarthy,
a dog, who the box is for, he promises to tell the students at the Valentine’s
party the next day.
The students speculate about a
possible girlfriend, noticing their teacher chatting with the playground
monitor, getting an extra tuna melt from the lunch lady, eating it with the
French teacher.
Carlson’s signature flat detailed
paintings are filled with movement, expressive faces, and colorful patterns.
Readers will not be surprised that the heart shaped box is a gift for the
students. But although the students haven’t figured out that teachers aren’t too
busy to have girlfriends, attentive readers will notice a hint on the final
page. This sweet Valentine story is a winner with the younger set
Penguin Publishing, $15.99
hardcover
Interest Level:
Kindergarten – Grade 2
The Valentine Bears
by Eve Bunting
illustrated by Jan Brett
Mrs. Bear
sets her alarm to go off early, Valentine’s Day early before the winter
hibernation is ended. She makes a sign for Mr. Bear to see when he wakens. She
uncovers a honey pot she has saved from summer just for this purpose. She puts
out Valentine poems she has hidden in a drawer. Before she can get Mr. Bear
completely awake, he surprises her.
He too has hidden some treats for
Mrs. Bear. The two sweethearts share their Valentine treats before going back
to sleep until spring.
This lovely story has just touches
of color to spice up the wintry grey and white. The valentine red highlights important
details to cheer the icy season.
Clarion Books, $6.99
paperback
Interest Level: Junior
Kindergarten – Grade 2
Louanne Pig in The
Mysterious Valentine
by Nancy Carlson
A secret
admirer sends Louanne a huge valentine. To her friend Harriet, she observes
that whoever signed the valentine used a green pen.
At school, during math and
geography, she thinks about how to track down the secret valentine admirer with
the green pen. Looking over shoulders, peeking inside a desk, peering into
pockets and book bags, makes her classmates nervous and suspicious of her
motives. It also reminds Louanne of why each classmate she investigates is NOT
a good choice for an admirer!
Author-illustrator Carlson uses
pigs, dogs, rabbits, and cats to populate her pages. The pastel squares are
filled to the edges, with text below the illustration. The paintings are
cheerful and active and sometimes sly, allowing the reader to use their
imagination to fill in where the words are not specific.
Although Louanne stops at the card
shop to ask the clerk for clues, the story ends without her knowing who her
secret admirer is. However, if the reader is paying attention, s/he will know!!
This is a clever holiday story.
Penguin Publishing,
$9.99 paperback
Interest Level:
Kindergarten – Grade 2
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