Storytime Standouts looks at Lilly’s Chocolate Heart, a sweet story about Lilly (of Purple Plastic Purse fame) and her one remaining foil-wrapped Valentine’s Day chocolate heart.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Lilly is a beloved picturebook character. Best known for Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse , she also appears in Lilly’s Big Day, Chester’s Day, Wemberly Worried and Julius The Baby of the World.

Before going to bed on February 14th, Lilly must decide what to do with her one remaining foil-wrapped Valentine’s Day chocolate.

“Lilly wanted to find the perfect place to keep the heart. She looked under her bed, but it was too dusty. She looked inside her dresser, but it was too messy.”

Those who know Lilly, will agree that she is exhuberant and sometimes just a little bit impulsive so finding the perfect place for the chocolate is quite a challenge.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart will be a delicious treat for Lilly fans who will no doubt notice her purple plastic purse hanging from a dresser drawer handle and a painting of the purse that hangs on a wall.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart at Amazon.com

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart at Amazon.ca

You written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King

Light and breezy, You: A Story of Love and Friendship has got it right. The world is more colourful, more musical and more exciting when shared with a true friend. Happy, engaging illustrations invite us to watch as a friends work together to transform a drab birdhouse into a bright and inviting home. When the work is done, they joyfully play music together and manage to endure the highs and lows that life brings. “The world is an exciting place, with ups, downs, around and arounds, and far-far-aways. But the most exciting place in my world is with… you”

Well-suited to very young children, You is a picture book about friendship and love. It would be a a great story to share before a parent or friend leaves on a trip.

Be sure to visit the author’s website (link above) and read about Stephen Michael King’s experience as a hearning impaired child and his path to becoming an author-illustrator.

You: A Story of Love and Friendship at Amazon.com

You: A Story of Love and Friendship at Amazon.ca

Zero Kisses for Me written by Manuela Monari and illustrated by Virginie Soumagnac

I have the good fortune to share read alouds with children regularly in my classes. I always look for engaging stories that will hook my students. Sometimes I am lucky enough to find a book that doesn’t just hook the kids – some books have children talking about the story a week later and begging for a reread. Zero Kisses for Me is one of those delightful books that children love to see, listen to and cheer about.

Life is tough when you’re “always being kissed.” When you’re kissed before you go out in the rain and when you’re kissed and called, “Honeybunch” or “Flower Bud.” By the end of the day, you can be “tired of being everybody’s tootsy-wootsy… huggy-bear… kissy-snooks.” You might even demand, “No more mush!” And, you might exclaim, “BLEAH” – the perfect word to make a story memorable and a great word for young children to hear and relish.

Fun illustrations add to the atmosphere in Zero Kisses for Me and convey the little bear’s determination and frustration beautifully. A great read aloud for boys and girls, aged four to six, especially those who enjoy many, many kisses each and every day. Although not a Valentine’s Day book, this would be a terrific choice to reach for on February 14th.

I’d love to hear about your favourite titles for reading aloud… please share

Zero Kisses for Me at Amazon.com

Zero Kisses for Me at Amazon.ca

We think this picture book is a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day

The Day it Rained Hearts - written and illustrated by Felicia Bond

You are no doubt familiar with Felicia Bond’s lively illustrations in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Here she tells the story of Cornelia Augusta, a girl who is caught in a rather unusual rainstorm.

On The Day It Rained Hearts Cornelia collected hearts of all different shapes and sizes and then set to work making Valentines for her special friends. Before setting to work, she thinks carefully about each individual and she creates cards and gifts that suit each perfectly.

She found seven that were more or less alike and strung them together with a needle and thread.”I know just the right person for this one,” she thought.

The Day it Rained Hearts encourages thoughtfulness and creativity. A lovely choice for your young Valentine or for sharing at a February storytime.

Extension activities could include a search for hidden hearts, comparing and categorizing hearts and creating Valentine’s Day cards and gifts.

32 pages, Ages 3 to 5

The Day It Rained Hearts at Amazon.com

The Day It Rained Hearts at Amazon.ca

StorytimeStandouts’ free Valentine’s Day printables

  Valentine's Day Picture Dictionary
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day - Counting Valentines
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day - Five Little Valentines
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Interlined Paper - Happy Valentine's Day
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Interlined paper - Valentine's Day Swirling Hearts
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day Sequencing Activity
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

Our early literacy printables, including our Valentine’s Day printables are in PDF format, if you don’t already use Adobe Reader, you will need to use it to access the downloads.

Please note: some of our early literacy printables are available to Storytime Standouts members only. To become a member of the website (without cost or obligation), please click on the “Members” tab and register as a user.

You will find our selection of free printable alphabets here and all of our early literacy printables here.

If you appreciate our Valentine’s Day printables, please support this site by visiting and purchasing from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.

Love is You & Me written and illustrated by Monica Sheehan
Just in time for February 14th, Monica Sheehan’s celebration of love arrives on bookshelves. Intended for very young children, it is in a boardbook format. Fun, breezy illustrations introduce a handsome mouse and his dashing canine friend. They love spending time together; driving in a convertable, sharing a milkshake, holding hands. riding a roller coaster. Whether doing something exciting or nothing at all, true friends know, “Whever we go love will always be…because…love is you and me.”

A perfect book to share for Valentine’s Day, Love is You & Me will be enjoyed equally by young children and those who love them.

Love is You & Me. at Amazon.com

Love is You & Me. at Amazon.ca

We’ve just added a selection of new Valentine’s Day free PDF printables to our downloads:

* Two kinds of Valentine’s Day interlined paper
* A Valentine’s Day picture dictionary (words and pictures) for beginning readers and writers
* Five Little Valentines – perfect for a Valentine’s Day circle time felt board story
* Counting Valentines – Sung to a familiar tune, also great for Valentine’s Day circle time
* Making a Valentine – Valentine’s Day sequencing activity or matching game
* Make New Friends – a song sheet

  Valentine's Day Picture Dictionary
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day - Counting Valentines
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day - Five Little Valentines
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Interlined Paper - Happy Valentine's Day
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Interlined paper - Valentine's Day Swirling Hearts
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day Sequencing Activity
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Make New Friends
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

  Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle
Please become a member of Storytime Standouts to download this file.

Our early literacy printables, including our Valentine’s Day printables are in PDF format, if you don’t already use Adobe Reader, you will need to use it to access the downloads.

Please note: some of our early literacy printables are available to Storytime Standouts members only. To become a member of the website (without cost or obligation), please click on the “Members” tab and register as a user.

You will find our selection of free printable alphabets here and all of our early literacy printables here.

If you appreciate our free early literacy printables,
including these Valentine’s Day printables for young learners,
please support this site by visiting and purchasing from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.