The most common pitfalls in Valentine’s books for children are: 1) depicting romance between children or 2) giving an unbiblical definition of love. What better way do I like to celebrate any time of year than with a children’s books curation. I love curating book collections (and I don’t discriminate against “lower” art mediums so movies too) that are beautiful or good in some way to share with others. And I am highly selective! In general what I look for in children’s literature (and all art forms) is a piece that somehow captures some of whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of any virtue, or praiseworthy.

Books that come out into the house annually for a season are going to be powerful for family culture so I want to find good ones. I consider this work to be refining a child’s palette. I am helping shape an appetite for what is beautiful, as defined by God.

These are children’s books I recommend that capture a piece of the heart of christian charity and love and the beauty of Valentine’s Day.

1. Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George written by N. Di Angelo
2. Love from Madeline written by Ludwig Bemelmens
3. The Day It Rained Hearts written by Felicia Bond
4. The Valentine’s Bears written by Eve Bunting
5. I Heart Dad written by Eric Carle
6. I Heart Mom written by Eric Carle
7. Love Is illustrated by Paola Escobar
8. I Love You, Daddy! written by Edie Evans
9. The Hug Book written by Sue Fliess
10. I Heart You written by Meg Fleming
11. That’s What Love Is written by Hannah Hall
12. Mirabel’s Missing Valentine’s written by Janet Lawler
13. Our Loving God written by Carine Mackenzie
14. I Can Say to God “I Love You” written by Catherine Mackenzie
15. Jesus: The Best Love written by Catherine Mackenzie
16. A Hug is for Holding Me written by Lisa Wheeler

All of these on amazon would be $144 (at time of writing). If you wanted just a few, I’d say the shortlist of the very, very best are That’s What Love Is, The Valentine’s Bears, and Jesus: The Best Love – in that order. But, all of these are strong and over a long time I have filtered out MANY ugly or poor ones, even just within the Valentine’s Day niche!

If it’s helpful, I put all these as amazon links, so you can source them easily there. If from this list you know of one I’ve missed that sounds like we’d like please tell me!

This post is a part of my very selective curations series of books and movies.

“Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4

July is peak summer. What better way do I like to celebrate any time of year than with a children’s books curation. I love curating book collections (and I don’t discriminate against “lower” art mediums so movies too) that are beautiful or good in some way to share with others. And I am highly selective! In general what I look for in children’s literature (and all art forms) is a piece that somehow captures some of whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of any virtue, or praiseworthy.

Books that come out into the house annually for a season are going to be pretty powerful for family culture so I want to find good ones. I consider this work to be refining a child’s palette. I am helping shape an appetite for what is beautiful, as defined by God.

These are children’s books I recommend that capture the christian heart of this holiday or our country.

1. When I Am Weak by Bible Visuals International: This is a biography of Roger Sherman who signed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It speaks about christian suffering, family, blessing, humility, and prayer. Thomas Jefferson said Roger Sherman was “a man who never said a foolish thing in his life.”
2. George Washington: His Legacy of Faith, Character, and Courage by Demi: There are many children’s books about George Washington, but none so well weave the thread of christian faithfulness through his many life events. This shows many ways Washington demonstrated biblical masculinity, diligence, reverence, gracefulness, and boldness.
3. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A by Marjorie Priceman: This is a charming and lovely book about the delight of domesticity and baking, while also capturing the richness of America’s terrains and taking dominion of the unique and expansive landscape God has given us.
4. The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh: This is a beautiful story about the fruit of Moina Belle Michael’s faith and how she displayed godly femininity throughout her life as an unmarried woman, nurturing and blessing thousands.
5. United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes from Every State! by Gabrielle Langholtz: We love this excellently written and compiled cookbook that celebrates small scale culture. It has fun information and a lovely recipe for every state.

All of these on amazon would be $67 (at time of posting).

And as a movie bonus, I recommend Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero for a pleasant and pure animated children’s film for this time of year. It is strangely not well known but a treasure!

If it’s helpful, I put all these as amazon links, so you can source them easily there! If from this list you know of one I’ve missed that sounds like we’d like please tell me!

“American exceptionalism is borne from a Christian certainty of salvation.” Mythos America