Valentine's Day: A Tiny story and Some Book Recommendations Too

Take heart, Valentine's Day is only a day away. This post offers loads of valentine stories to read and share. 

First, it's time for Susanna Hill's Valentiny Story Contest. For the full details check out her blog post. There you will also find links to all the 214 word or less stories submitted for the contest. Take note that each story includes someone feeling guilty since that's one of the rules of the contest. 

Here's my story:

A Valentine for Mom

When things don’t go right, mom fixes it by saying, “I’m sorry, honey.”  

I used my savings to buy her a box of Valentine candy. I remove the plastic wrapper to show off the flowers and ruffles. Mmmmm, the chocolates smell so good.

Just a peek. There are so many. I shouldn’t. . . Just one taste. I’ll move them around, so she won’t notice. Leave the heart shaped one. This one's small. 

Chomp. Ew! Coconut. 

Mom hates coconut. What if they're all coconut?  I’ll just check one more to see. Creamy pink. A little lick.  Raspberry! Heavenly. Push, shift, move. You can hardly tell that I took two. I'll hide it my desk.

Shift, shift. Oops, let me fix them again. She’ll love the one with the little flower. But what if it’s coconut? I better check. Maple. Yummy. It would be wrong to leave it with a hole. Better eat it.  I MUST LEAVE THEM ALONE! . . . I can’t. I break them all open. What am I going to do?

I sit at my desk and write. 

To Mommy, 

This heart is pink. 

I spent my money. 

I ate the candy. 

I’m sorry, honey.

I put the poem in the box and take it down to dinner.

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And now for a few books you can read for Valentine's Day or any day. They are full of heart.

The Visitor by Antje Damm

Elise is afraid of everything. One day a paper airplane flies in through her open window. A boy comes to retrieve it, and Elise's life begins to change. There is no pushing or prodding to develop a friendship. It all happens naturally. I just love the illustrations with childlike drawings in a one room diorama. Another book that would pair well with this is Mem Fox's, Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Perfect by Max Amato

The eraser likes to make sure the pages stay clean and white. Pencil has a different idea. 

I think I like this book so much because it reminds me of my childhood with my sister. She was the eraser and I was the pencil. Yes, I messed with her and I liked having of stuff around. One time after a snow, I wanted to play in it, she wanted to shovel it all away. I got in the way of the shovel and had to have stitches. Eraser gets a bit dirty, but no stitches in this book. Another reason I like this book . . . the illustrations. They are simple, but unique and would encourage playing with art.

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julian and his grandma go swimming every Saturday. On the bus, Julian sees three mermaids. He loves mermaids. In the pool, he imagines becoming a mermaid. At home, he gets creative. When his abuela sees him, she knows just what to do. This story of acceptance and love is beautifully illustrated from cover to cover.

Love, Z by Jessie Sima

A little robot named Z discovers a bottle with a note inside. All that he can read are the words, Love, Beatrice. Little Z goes on a journey to find Beatrice and learn what Love is. Sima's soft and bright illustrations really bring this sweet story to life and give Little Z the real meaning of the word Love. She is also the author of Not Quite Narwhal and more. 

Happy Reading and Happy Valentine's Day!

Do you have favorite stories you love to read at Valentine's Day. I'd love to hear about them in the comments.