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Add some books to your Valentine's Day gifts

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Some children love to glue hearts and doilies, some children love to pick out cards with their favorite characters, and most children like to eat candy no matter what holiday it is. However you honor the big day, books can add a new flavor to your Valentine's Day celebration.

When you have a baby in the house, “Where is Baby's Valentine?” is a fun little lift-the -flap book to have. It is written and illustrated by Karen Katz. This is the story of a baby searching all over the house for her special valentine. The book has sparkles and bright colors to interest young babies and toddlers.

You can play the game of hiding a red heart for your baby to find. Place a heart under a blanket and yank the blanket away to make it reappear. Use a plastic heart or sew a cloth one so it's safe for your baby to taste and explore. Decorate the diaper area with valentine cards from years past.

“The Story of Valentine's Day,” written by Nancy J. Skarmeas and illustrated by Stacy Venturi-Pickett, is a true book about the beginnings of the Valentine's Day holiday. It is written for preschoolers, but children in the early grades will appreciate this book as well.

For something different, put on a first Valentines party. Dress the whole family in Roman wear - white sheets and bathrobes. Read this book, eat dinner by candlelight and share your holiday cards with each other. Who knows? It might catch on as a new family tradition.

If you are looking for a permanent addition to your bookshelf, I recommend “Tomie's Little Book of Love.” Tomie dePaola illustrated this lovely book of poetry for children about love. It is inclusive of people from different cultures and the pictures are beautiful.

If you have readers in your family you can make an event of reading this special book. Take turns standing up in front of the family and reading a poem. Public speaking is one of the greatest fears many people have. Give your child a chance to practice this skill in the supportive atmosphere of your family.

“Queen of Hearts” by Mary Englebreit is the story of a child who attempts to make the best valentine box. She tries so hard she forgets to make cards for her classmates. She solves the problem by giving away chunks of her masterpiece. The pages have fun decorative borders and there is a paper doll included.

You can make a Valentine's Day box like the one in the story, complete with wheels. Raid the recycling bin for toilet rolls and scrap paper. Put construction paper, glue and tape, scissors and any red ribbon you have on the table. Give each child a shoe box and let them use their imagination to make their own creation. On the big day you can place cards and treats in the box for your child to discover.

Whether you shower on the hearts and flowers or skip them altogether, when you read to a child they know you love them.

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