These February picture books are great kids activities for a winter day in February. February is the month of being intentional about love, with a big focus around Valentine’s Day 💕. Children’s books were such a part of our daily rhythm as our kids were growing up.
There is something wonderful about how books that are meant for kids offer all of us something worthwhile to learn. It takes a special author and illustrator to brings those ideas to life on every page. And these February picture books do just that.
Here is a booklist of some of our favourite February picture books to read aloud with your kids that go along with the month of February and a love theme. Many of these picture kids books have 5 star ratings and have won awards.
These February picture books make great winter activities for kids and I found when I read to my children when they were young it was a wonderful bonding time for us all. And who knows, you may turn your child into a book lover?
Why Read Aloud?
Research has shown there is an easy way to improve your child’s chances at school. It will entertain and delight him. It will strengthen the bonds between him and you. And it is virtually free. Sounds too good to be true? Actually, it isn’t. The magical method: taking time to read aloud to your child.
Reading aloud to your children has important benefits such as developing a stronger vocabulary. Children learn language primarily through listening. Reading aloud lets children regularly hear new words in new contexts, which builds their vocabulary and helps them develop a stronger awareness of communicating with different words.
When you read out loud to your child it also helps increase their attention span, unlike TV. With TV the images are changing so quickly, whereas with read alouds, reading promotes a slower unfolding of events and ideas. This encourages children to listen, pay attention, and concentrate, which after a while can increase their overall attention span.
Studies have shown that reading to children eases problem behavior and lessens anxiety. especially when started at an early age. Data published by the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that three-year-olds who participated in reading aloud with their parents were significantly less likely to be aggressive or hyperactive.
Read alouds build social awareness, empathy and compassion.
Reading is one of the best ways to help kids understand something without experiencing it for themselves. It helps kids discuss their own feelings as well as understand how others feel with all sorts of subjects and concepts, building our children’s understanding of humanity and the world around them.
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Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
One wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man named Mr. Hatch.
“Somebody loves you,” the note says.
“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch sings as he dusts his living room.
“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch whistles as he does his errands in town.
“But who,” Mr. Hatch wonders, “could that somebody be?”
After some time, Mr. Hatch discovers just who his secret admirer is and, in doing so, enjoys the biggest surprise of his life!
Cinderella Penguin by Janet Perlman
Flippers replace slippers in this updated and “penguinized” retelling of the classic tale.
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
Mr. and Mrs. Bear have never celebrated St. Valentine’s Day because they hibernate during the winter.
Favorite February Picture Books
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema
“In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. “Elegance has become the Dillons’ hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema’s uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece.”
-Booklist, starred review.
Winner of Caldecott Medal in 1976 and the Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award in 1977.
The Teeny Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone
A slightly silly, slightly spooky, 100% fun edition of the old English ghost story is a spine-tingling addition to the Folk Tale Classics series.
Give me my bone! When a teeny-tiny woman finds a teeny-tiny bone in the teeny-tiny village churchyard, she takes it home to boil for her teeny-tiny supper. She never expects the bone will object .
This old English ghost story, retold and illustrated with singular wit by Paul Galdone, is spine-tingling, funny bone-tickling fun. With hidden details to discover in the illustrations and plenty of repetition in the text, young children will enjoy joining in on this read-aloud. Now part of the Folk Tale Classics series, with gold foil stamping on the cover, this one is sure to become a story time favorite at Halloween or any time!
Snowy Valentine by David Peterson
Step out into a snowy Valentine’s Day with Jasper the bunny as he searches the forest valley for a special gift for his loved one.
In his picture-book debut, David Petersen, the Eisner Award–winning creator of Mouse Guard, tells a delightful tale that becomes the perfect way to say “I love you.”
Bring this sweet story home to your Valentine today.
Favorite February Picture Books
Jack and the Beanstalk by Paul Galdone
Young readers are sure to delight in Galdone’s version of this classic story, and the lively illustrations and rhythmic storytelling make it perfect for reading aloud with little ones. With a gorgeous cover in keeping with the rest of the Folk Tale Classics series, the story of Jack and his magic bean has never been more irresistible.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
A young woman holds her newborn son
And looks at him lovingly.
Softly she sings to him:
“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”
So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 30 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition (as well as hundreds of thousands of copies in Spanish and French).
You are My Happy by Hoda Kotb
A #1 New York Times bestseller and Amazon Best Books of the Year selection!
From Hoda Kotb, the Today show co-anchor and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’ve Loved You Since Forever, comes a bedtime snuggling book about gratitude for the things in life—both big and small—that bring us happiness.
As mama bear and her cub cuddle together before closing their eyes for a good night’s sleep, they reflect on the everyday wonders of life that make them happy.
Inspired by her own nighttime routine with her daughter, Haley Joy,Kotb creates another beautiful treasure for parents and children to enjoy together. With charming and lush illustrations from bestselling artist Suzie Mason, this soothing yet playful lullaby explores the simple joy of taking a moment to be grateful.
Favorite February Picture Books
I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
New York Times #1 Bestseller!
I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child. This beautiful picture book is inspired by Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s heartwarming adoption of her baby girl, Haley Joy.
With Kotb’s lyrical text and stunning pictures by Suzie Mason, young ones and parents will want to snuggle up and read the pages of this book together, over and over again. This board book is perfect for sharing with the littlest ones.
In the universe,
there was you and
there was me,
waiting for the day our
stars would meet. . .
Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
How did Valentine’s Day, one of our most popular holidays, begin?
It started in ancient Rome when a kind physician named Valentine took an interest in a young blind girl. With his healing skill and his deep faith he restored her sight.
What we now call Valentine’s Day began when he sent the little girl a secret message, which she received after the Christian martyr was executed. For this tale rich in sentiment, master illustrator Robert Sabuda has created exquisite paper mosaics to suggest early Christian art that resonates with both subtlety and power.
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Warmly,
