I am not the world's biggest fan of Valentine's Day but I need no excuse to highlight some books, and books about love no less! I do tend to buy my own children a book for Valentine’s mind you, (I know this must come as a shocking revelation!) so I have put together a little list of books all about love. (See how almost completely positive this blog post was, now I will shut up before I get into why white, powerful men are so problematic…oh, so close!)

I Love You Every Colour by Caryl Lewis and Jill Calder

A celebration of love for all the seasons, love for the natural world, love for a child. All in an explosion of colourful artwork by one of our favourite’s, Scottish illustrator - Jill Calder. It’s simply a beautiful book to share together.

‘I love you silver. Dew drop. Gossamer.
Morning cobwebs. Elderflower.
I love you moon-path and shimmer.
I love you mist and fish glimmer.
I love you heron and river.’

11 Words for Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah & Maxine Beneba Clarke

What would you bring if you had to flee your home? Many of us would likely agree that photos would be a priority if we could. Photos of happier times. Photos of loving memories. In 11 Words for Love the reader flips through the family photo album of a Palestinian family album showing their special moments and the words that express that form of love. (11 of the over 50 words there are for love in Arabic!) The Arabic script is accompanied by phonetic spelling that non-Arabic speakers can use to pronounce each word.

’Showq
And love that burns,
that yearns to touch
homeland-heartland soil
one last time.’

Ten Word Tiny Tales of Love by Joseph Coelho

British poet and children’s book author, Joseph Coelho, collaborates with 21 illustrators who bring to life his tiny ten word long ‘stories’. Inviting readers to imagine what might happen next in these tales. It’s creative, surreal, unique and beautiful.

‘The kisses in her card grew wings and flowery scents’

My Art Book of Love by Shana Gozansky

My Art Book series hold a special place in my heart as they (specifically this one and My Art Book of Sleep) were one of the first books my little girl would finish the sentences of while being read to and pick up and ‘read’ herself as a little tiny person. They also offer an unapologetic introduction to famous works of art (mainly from Western culture) including Marc Chagall, Amy Sherald, Salvador Dali, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Mary Cassatt and Henry Moore. Very much looking forward to My Art Book of Peace coming out late April 2026.

‘Love feels…
Safe…
And steady.
Graceful…
And sturdy.
Warm like the sun on your skin…
And cozy like a bedtime cuddle.’

My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread & Rhian Wright

Written by Olympian Fatima Whitbread, who is herself care experienced, the story is informed by her own childhood memories of living in children’s homes. It is a story of love, kindness and hope, of finding your own north star - the constant in your life that keeps you steady, no matter what.

“I live in a big house with lots of other children.
I used to live with my mummy. It was much quieter and I only had Teddy to play with.
Mummy sometimes found it hard to look after me, so Teddy and went to live at the big house for a while”

I Love You More by Clare Helen Welsh, Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell

Many grown-ups will be familiar with the ‘I love you more’ contest and so if you are looking to up your game while enjoying bright and bold artwork that focuses on the beautiful natural world around us - this one is for you.

‘I love you like the penguins love to waddle in the snow, like seal pups love to snooze upon their sunlit icy floe.’

Love is in the LIttle Things by Stella J Jones & Jane Massey

This is one of the books I bought for my own 2-year-old for Valentine’s this year. It’s sweet without being saccharin! It also isn’t overwhelming in length which is important for a 2 year old! And despite my bleak blog posts at times I am a bit of a sap and this is just the right level of lovely sappiness!

‘But really, Small,
love is made from the little things.
Little things like what?
Well, like…your hand in mine.’

When You Joined Our Family by Harriet Evans & Nia Tudor

I have been actively looking for books that share the spectrum of family dynamics. A child who sees themselves represented on the pages of a book is more likely to feel positively about books, that the book world is for them, for everyone, and to read for pleasure! When You Joined Our Family is a book that reassures the reader that families come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but they are all equally full of love. It takes the reader through different stages, and feelings, of the adoption process.

‘When you joined our family,
Everything must have seemed new and strange.
We spent time together, and you learned
that I will always keep you safe’’

Together With You by Patricia Toht & Jarvis

A book about memories made between a Grandmother and grandchild throughout the seasons. We own, I think, all of the ‘Pick a…’ series by Toht & Jarvis and this is another beauty by the duo. Jarvis’ illustrations are dreamy, sweet and pair beautifully with Toht’s words. You can feel the love coming off the page!

‘Hot cocoa is best with some marshmallow bits, I know you like peppermint tea…we both can stay warm on a cold winter’s night, if we cuddle up close, you and me.’

Coorie Doon by Jackie Kay & Jill Calder

Oh, I struggle to not cry with this one! Just thinking of it can get me misty eyed… By former Makar, Jackie Kay, it tells the tale of Shona. As a wee girl she is read and sung to by her parents and then, sixty years later, she is the one reading and singing to her now elderly Father, with his ‘papery old forehead’. A self-described Scottish Lullaby Story - it is dreamy, whimsical & poignant in both words and pictures. Jill Calder’s artwork is perfect, as always.

‘Ilka times, her daddy sang
A song Shona loved called the T
iree love song
He-ree ho-ro my bonnie wee girl
He-ree ho-ro my fair one
Will you come away, my love
To be my own, my rare one.
And she wuid drift awa’
All safe and snuggly and cooried in.
One last wee cuddle and nicht nicht
One last see you in the morning.’

A Waffle Lot of Love by Ben Clanton

The Narwhal and Jelly series were one of the first graphic novel series my little girl (and I!) fell in love with. I don’t even remember how we found them but they are full to the brim with tales of friendship, cheesy puns, waffles, love and interesting facts about sea creatures. (I also relate a great deal to over-thinking, over-cautious Jelly!) A ‘whaley-awesome’ addition to the brilliant series of early reader graphic novels for little ones making their tentative steps into independent reading!