Picture books with heart for Valentine’s Day

When your kids proudly present you with their homemade valentines next week, you’ll want to have something to give them in return. And while chocolates would no doubt be welcome, they have a short lifespan. Why not a book instead? Below, a handful of picture books that fit the occasion:

Here Comes Valentine Cat, by Deborah Underwood ( Dial Books for Young Readers, 88 pages, $ 21.99), is my favourite; in fact, while it’s a great read- aloud book for even the very young, it also makes a good gift for adults. Especially if those adults are cat lovers and have wry senses of humour. Illustrated in ink and coloured pencil by Colombia’s Claudia Rueda, this is the fourth and latest in a series of picture books about a cranky, sometimes conniving cat who always sees the glass as half empty. In this volume, he sneers at the approaching Valentine’s Day festivities and shows no affection for his new neighbour, a dog. Assuming the bones flung over the fence are signs of aggression, Cat plans retribution. All without a single word of dialogue on his part, unless you count the signs he holds up for the unseen narrator, whose spot- on voice makes for great dialogue. In the end, of course, Cat has to eat crow — and does so with surprising grace. Aimed by the publisher at ages 3 to 5, I’d be inclined to extend the audience to 55. Or older.

Kiss, Kiss, by Montreal’s Jen- nifer Couëlle ( Pajama Press, 24 pages, $ 14.95), was first published in French as Le bisou. Translated by Karen Simon, it retains a cheerful breeziness; simple rhymes describe the various types of kisses and how they can brighten a person’s day — or night (“Good- night kisses on the head. / Hugs before we go to bed,” accompanies a page that shows dad tucking his kids into a bunk bed). The colourful art of Montreal’s Jacques Laplante — whose simple lines and distinctive graphic style is both sophisticated and amusing — gives this little book wide appeal, although the publisher aims it at ages 3 to 6.

Worm Loves Worm, by J. J. Austrian ( Balzer & Bray, 26 pages, $ 21.99), is an offbeat story about a pair of invertebrates who decide to marry, but encounter a lot of opinions about how this should be done. Cricket nominates himself as presiding judge or vicar, Beetle wants the role of best man/ beetle. A trio of bees take on the equivalent of bridesmaid roles, and so it goes. Talk of rings elicits the obvious fact that worms don’t have fingers; no problem, they ’ll wear the rings as belts. When we get to the dress, the bees want to know which one is the bride. Both worms say they can play that part — ditto the groom’s role. “We can be both,” they say, and illustrator Mike Curato obliges, putting a veil on the worm in the tux and bowtie while giving a top hat to the one in the dress. But that isn’t how it’s done, frets the officious cricket. “Then we’ll just change how it’s done,” Worm replies matter- of- factly. Love conquers all. Ages 4 to 8.

I Love You Already!, by Jory John ( HarperCollins, 32 pages, $ 21.99), illustrated by Benji Davies, is a sequel to Goodnight Already! and marks the return of long- suffering Bear and well- meaning but exasperating Duck. Its opening pages are a harbinger of what’s to come, as Duck is in bed with a favourite book (“101 Walks to Take With Bears”) while Bear, on the opposite page, is walking around in a colourful robe and looking forward to “spending lazy weekend mornings around my house.” We know, of course, that Bear’s plans for a tranquil weekend are about to be disrupted. The author’s text is perfectly matched by the illustrator’s art; together, they have created another winning book that’s perfect for reading aloud – to someone you love. Ages 4 to 8. Or older.