more photosKid Culture features fun and educational books and toys for kids.
Valentine’s Day can be a holiday of heart-stopping anticipation, confusion, and “I am just in it for the candy." Here are some titles to help children and their parents celebrate the holiday in all sorts of ways.
“Plant a Kiss," by Amy Krause Rosenthal
In this picture book, Little Miss plants a kiss in the ground and experiences the uncertainty of every gardener as to whether it will grow. When her attentive care causes her kiss to sprout, Little Miss makes the bold decision to share everywhere and the result is “endless bliss!" In the simplest words and the most charming illustrations by Peter Reynolds, the reader and listener discovers that love shared truly is the best.
“Zombie in Love," by Kelly DiPucchio
Loneliness can be stressful for anyone, including Mortimer the Zombie. With tongue firmly in cheek, this book lets the reader in on Mortimer’s search for a sweetheart. After Mortimer’s several attempts to woo a lady fail (literally giving the mail carrier his heart and the waitress a diamond ring with a finger attached), he hits the advice books like any lonely heart should. He places an advertisement in the local paper for someone looking for “tall, dead and handsome" to meet at the Cupid’s Ball. At the stroke of midnight drop-dead gorgeous Mildred shows up and it is “love at first bite." Bring your wacky sense of humor to this bridging fiction title for children in grades two and up.
“I Haiku You," by Betsy Snyder
This is a lovely poetic celebration of friendship and love that extends through the whole year — not just one day. From a dog pining while his owner goes off in a school bus to noodles that are “love letters for your tummy," this collection of haiku quietly rejoices in the smallest of things that make the biggest of differences. Share this book with children of all ages and write a few haiku of your own together.
“Crush: The Theory,
Practice, and Destructive
Properties of Love," by Gary Paulsen
Kevin Spencer, reformed liar and con man, has it bad for Tina Zabinkski in this humorous novel. Since Kevin believes love is based on chemistry, he decides to take a scientific approach to wooing Tina, with very mixed results. Kevin misses the obvious while trying just a little too hard to suss out what this love thing is all about. Not to worry — it all ends well in this novel for children in grades five and up.
