Valentine's Day Stories for Children

Valentine Stories and Books Tween Readers Will Enjoy

Dec 26, 2008 Irene Taylor

Celebrate one of February's great holidays with your children by engaging them in reading some great Valentine's Day-themed books at home or at school.

While younger children love the idea of hearts and Valentine cards, older children may balk at the idea of sending cards to those they love. Below is a list of books especially for the 9 through 12 year-old set to help get them in the Happy Heart Day spirit.

The Valentine That Ate My Teacher

Always looking for the quirky story at this age, tweens will love The Valentine That Ate My Teacher by Dean Marley [Scholastic, 1998]. In this adventure tale, Lizzie, two classmates and their substitute teacher are magically transported through the classroom Valentine box to another world.

Kids of this age will also enjoy Marley’s companion book, How To Drive Your Family Crazy On Valentine's Day [Scholastic Paperbacks, 2002].

Valentine Frankenstein

Another Valentine story that children in this age range will love is Valentine Frankenstein by Maggie Twohill [Scholastic, 1994]. In this tale, Amanda creates something of a “Frankenstein” when she tries to make her unpopular but lovable friend Walter into a class hit. This book explores themes of popularity and friendship set in a typical fifth grade class.

Four Stupid Cupids

The fourth book in the Hamlet Chronicles series, Four Stupid Cupids by Gregory Maguire [HarperCollins, 2005], is sure to be another sure-fire hit with the pre-teen set. In this fun story, four tiny young cupids are accidentally freed from the vase where they've been imprisoned in for more than 2300 years. The ensuing adventures are comical and sure to please.

Tween readers will also enjoy more serious books about Valentine’s Day and why it is celebrated. Here are a few of the more serious offerings.

The Legend of the Valentine

Older children will enjoy learning more about the history of this February holiday by reading The Legend of the Valentine by Katherine Grace Bond and Don Tate [ZonderKidz, 2002]. This story is about a boy who learns the St. Valentine story from his grandmother. Set in the 1960’s Alabama, this book touches on serious subjects such as racial equality and civil rights.

Tween readers will also enjoy The Story of Valentine's Day by Clyde Robert Bulla and illustrated by Susan Estelle Kwas [HarperCollins,2000], which also tells the true story of St. Valentine and how it came to be celebrated it on February 14.

Hearts, Cupids and Red

Hearts, Cupids and Red by Edna Barth, illustrated by Ursula Arndt [Houghton Mifflin, 1982], is a great resource for the meaning of all things Valentine. It covers traditional festivals from early Pagan days to the present, and has many stories, poems and resources for studying this holiday.

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time for family and friends. Favorite funny and more serious books about this holiday are just a start. Once you have learned about the St. Valentine’s Day holiday, have your children practice letter writing skills and write Valentines Day love letters to friends and family.

Younger readers? See Top Valentine’s Day Books for Kids for books for the younger set.

The copyright of the article Valentine's Day Stories for Children in Kids Activities is owned by Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Valentine's Day Stories for Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Valentine's Day Books