If You Were My Valentine

PreS-Gr.2--A wonderful Valentine's holiday book, which conveys the message that love should be shared all throughout the year. On each page, an animal family shares their idea of what they do with their child if "you were my Valentine." A whale would make a big splash for their child, while a bird would make their child's day "sweeter than sweet." Each page leads readers closer to the final message: Love should be heard every single day. Plourde's tale is simple and touching, with just a few words on each page. Illustrations by Meyer are very detailed. Each animal has a special added human quality, such as a hat or pair of glasses. The colors are both vibrant and soothing at the same time. This is a book that can be shared with children of all ages. Even the youngest children, including toddlers, will be fascinated by the colorful images and drawn in by the beautiful message. VERDICT Recommended for public and elementary school libraries, as families will enjoy reading it together over and over again.--Sara Collins

Pinks and purples abound in this lushly visual festival of love. Employing the refrain "If you were my Valentine," Plourde presents baby animals being showered with care and attention by an adult animal in light-infused scenes. Juvenile hummingbirds and an adult bathe in golden nectar ("I would make your day sweeter than sweet"); a puffin and puffling embrace tenderly beneath cordiform clouds ("I would lean in until our love becomes one"). Close readers will find that consecutive glowing spreads include glimpses of the creatures featured in the previous scene. For added whimsy, Meyer's realistically rendered animals casually sport human accoutrements such as eyeglasses, hats, and clothing. Including whales and wolves, elk and rabbits, the warmhearted text and rich, page-filling digital paintings build to a greeting-card-like conclusion about the staying power of Valentine's sentiments. Ages 4-8. (Dec.)