You’re probably familiar with the advent book countdown that many people do during the month of December. You know, the one where you wrap up 24 different Christmas-themed books and let your kiddos unwrap one to read each day until Christmas. I’ve always loved the idea, but it just never worked for our family. First of all, I am fully committed to a couple of other daily advent activities that we do (which you can read about here and here), and secondly, I want to be able to read our Christmas books as many times as the kiddos ask for them during the season…I have a hard time leaving any one of them tucked away until the end.
But, it did get me thinking…why not do something similar around Valentine’s Day? No matter how old my kids get, there are some absolutely precious picture books about mamas loving their babies that I’ll never get tired of sharing with them. So, I decided to find my top 14 picks that were either available through our personal collection or through the local library. Here they are:
I Love You With All My Heart by Noris Kern
You’re All My Favorites by Sam McBratney
I Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
You Are My I Love You by Maryann K. Cusimano
I Love You as Big as the World by David Van Buren
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak
If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond
Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman
Because Your Daddy Loves You by Andrew Clemets
Mama, Do You Love Me? By Barbara M. Joosse
I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri
I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Once I had my stack of books in hand, I thought it might be fun to have a few hearts fall from between the pages as we read. So, I cut some hearts and tucked them inside. 
But on one heart from each book, I added a scripture passage for us to look up in our Bibles.
Some of them tell us of God’s amazing love for us, while others remind us how God wants us to love others. Here they are:
Isaiah 54:10
Matthew 5:43-48
Mark 12:28-31
Luke 6:27-36
John 3:16-17
John 15:9-12
Romans 8:37-39
Romans 12:9-21
1 Corinthians 13:1-8;13
Galatians 5:13-14
Colossians 3:12-14
1 Peter 4:8-11
1 John 3:16-18
1 John 4:7-12
I chose 14 books & verses because my original plan was to use them as a countdown the first 14 days of February. But then life happened, and I didn’t get it ready in time. So beginning today, we’ll read half the books leading up to Valentine’s Day, and the other half after. And you know what, looking back, I think I kind of like it this way. After all, sharing and showing love isn’t just something to focus on during a Hallmark holiday, right? It should be ongoing. Who knows, maybe I’ll even add to our list of books next year and extend it even further. What books would you add to our list?
Shared at Thrifty Thursday, Show-and-Share Saturday and Saturday Show & Tell
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What a great idea! I love the hearts in the book too. I see some of our favourites there. I was very excited the first time I found You’re All My Favourites – my kids love picking which bear they are:) I Love You Through and Through is another that has been a favourite since my first was little. Mama Do You Love Me? is a newer one for us that my daughter picked up at the church garage sale this past summer.
I also like the idea of doing half before and half after. A good reminder for little and big alike to keep the love going:)
This is such a wonderful list! Thank you for including one of my books!
Wow, Nancy! What an honor to hear from you! THANK YOU for writing beautiful books that touch our hearts! By the time I get to the end of this one, I am smiling through tears!