The end of January is coming near. Lunar new year and the Read Your World Celebration are getting closer but so is Valentine's Day. Today we are going to focus on Valentine's Day and love. I am sharing two books for younger children that are perfect to get ready for Valentine's Day or in a loving mood and at the end of the post is a roundup of ideas for kids to make valentines and children's love songs to sing. One is a musical board book. It has buttons to push to hear the songs. It is Little Love Songs by Sandra Boynton. It is recommended for babies through age 5.
From the Publisher:
Read and sing along with this adorable sound book that plays FIVE quick little love songs for cuddly kids, by the one and only Sandra Boynton!Each page turn in this charming book prompts a different song to play with the press of a button. Five songs in all, the ditties include hits like “Snuggle Puppy,” “Beautiful Baby,” and “Faraway Cookies”—perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time of year.
From Me:
In true Sandra Boynton fashion, this book is colorful, cute and short. It is perfect for our little ones to hear someone singing the words as well as seeing them and the fun illustration to go with the song. The songs are fun and short, and I can see kids singing along with Sandra. You push a button on each page and hear Sandra singing the song. It is so fun!!
There are five songs in the book, and they are unique and fun. Some are a bit humorous. I see this board book being perfect for babies to learn about interactions and hear the music as well as preschoolers loving pushing the button and singing and or reading the words along. It is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for a little on in your life.
Our other book for today is a little more serious and is about getting ready and celebrating Valentine's Day with your class. The book is Getting Ready for Valentine's Day by Vera Ahiyya, the Tutu Teacher and illustrated by Debby Rahmalia. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.
From the Publisher:
Getting Ready for Valentine's Day is a part of the Getting Ready collection.Get Ready for Valentine's Day in this exciting new series for kids who love new experiences and holiday fun! Vera Ahiyya, the Tutu Teacher, knows everything your family needs to get ready... and to celebrate every precious moment!
Includes a pull-out holiday sign for photo opportunities!
It’s time to get ready for Valentine’s Day! Kai's whole class is busily preparing by making friendship cards, decorating homemade mailboxes, and sharing delicious sweets and treats! But Kai and their friends can't help but worry... what if they don't receive any cards at all? Luckily, their teacher will help the whole class learn the true meaning of friendship!
This edition includes an adorable punch-out sign for Valentine's Day photo opps!
From Me:
In today's age where everyone seems to give Valentines with gifts (candy, pencils, etc.) I love that the kids in Kai's class exchange homemade cards. I can see the kids sharing their cards proudly with one another. I love how this book shares the making of the cards as well as decorating at home and making cookies for Valentine's Day. I also love that the teacher has a card making station set up for the kids who didn't complete all their cards! Plus, the teacher says everyone has to give each student in the class a card, so no one is left out. I love that Kai worries that someone will be left out. And that Kai's class is diverse.
The book hits on so many great ideas from how the entire family gets ready for Valentine's Day together to Kai signing "I love you" to his parents at bedtime. It reminds me of the various ways we celebrated Valentine's Day when Hazel was young like our Valentine's tea party. I remember Hazel being so excited to help me get ready for it and having it when Daddy came home. Valentine's Day has always been a bit of a weird holiday for our family. Steve's birthday is the day before, so he and I just exchange cards for Valentine's Day and don't really celebrate the day. With Hazel when she was young, I tried to do a bit more to make the day more meaningful. This book reminds me of doing that.
This book is perfect for a family or classroom. If read in a classroom, I hope the teacher will have the kids make valentines for each other instead of having the store-bought ones. I think making them and exchanging them as being so special when kids are young. I have several ideas shared below in our roundup for what to use and different designs. It is a book that reminds us how exciting celebrating love can be as a family and as a class. It is well written, and the illustrations are fun. I hope you will check it out and take some ideas for your celebration this year!
Craft & Song Roundup:
Since Kai's valentines were all diy, I thought I would share some ideas for you for kid-made valentines as well as some kids' love songs (well song since that is all that was offered to be shared). (For other Valentine's Day crafts, activities and books be sure to check out our other posts here.)
1) Scratch-Off Valentines from Buggy and Buddy
2) Watercolor Valentines from Projects with Kids
3) Sponge Stamped Valentines from Preschool Toolkit
4) Valentines with Stickers, Cut-outs and Stamps
5) Process Art/Fine Motor Skill Valentines from Preschool Toolkit
6) Heart Doilies, Felt Flowers, and More Valentines
7) Love Grows Here Plant Valentines from Fireflies and Mud Pies
8) Heart Finger Puppet Valentines
9) Pop-Up Kissing Hand Valentine from Buggy and Buddy
10) Burlap Valentines from Mama Smiles
11) Mosaic Heart Valentines from Moms and Crafters
12) Mini Mailbox Valentines from Mama Smiles
13) Valentine Making Station from Buggy and Buddy
14) Crumpled Tissue Paper and Heart Cards
15) Slime Card Valentines from Natural Beach Living
16) Doll Valentines (Doll Play Date)
17) Stamp Valentines from Mama Smiles
18) Hedgehog Valentines from Fireflies and Mud Pies
19) Tissue Paper Candles for Teachers
20) I Love You Preschool Song from Fantastic Fun and Learning
