Storytime: Valentines' Day

This storytime was for a preschool-aged group at my library.

Read-Aloud Books

My Heart Is Like a Zoo
Written and illustrated by Michael Hall

This book is the basis of this whole storytime idea--not just gushy valentines, but some exploration of different animals. The story goes through how a child might be like all the different animals--eager as a beaver, or steady as a yak. But really, the best part is that all the illustrations are made out of hearts. The kids had a fun time trying to spot all the hearts in the book.

Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine
Written by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

A perfect companion to Hall's book, this story is a rhyming book that prompts the reader to guess what valentines are good for animals. For instance, a puppy wants to give his friend a bone, or the otter wants to give a pearl. The kids loved shouting out what the animals might give each other. 

Songs and Rhymes

Hello Song

Song: "I'm A Little Valentine"

(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little valentine,

Red and white

With ribbons and lace

I'm a beautiful sight

"I Love You"

On Valentine's Day

Just put me in an envelope

And give me away!

Fingerplay: Heart

I put my hands together, (hands together like praying)

This is how I start

I curve my fingers right around, (curl fingertips; pull palms slightly apart)

And I can make a heart!
(credit here)

Song: "You Are My Sunshine"

Song: "Speckled Frogs"

Goodbye Song

Games and Activities

Flannel Board: Orange Fox, Orange Fox, What Do You See?

This flannel board was a combination hide-and-seek and retelling of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (I adapted it from the idea here). First, I cut out some heart shapes from different colored paper and made some animals, based on the illustrations of My Heart is Like A Zoo. Then, for the storytime, I left the Orange Fox on the board, and hid the other animals around the room. I'd pick kids to go see if they could find one, and then we'd say the rhyme (so what's below isn't in any particular order; it's just whatever animal they find next). While saying the rhyme, we would practice the sign language action for each color.

Adorable right? The kids loved them. Here's the rhyme:

Orange Fox, Orange Fox, What Do You See?

I see a Red Crab looking at me.

Red Crab, Red Crab, what do you see?

I see a Green Caterpillar looking at me.

Green Caterpillar, Green Caterpillar, what do you see?

I see a Yellow Bee looking at me.

Yellow Bee, Yellow Bee, what do you see?

I see a White Rabbit looking at me.

White Rabbit, White Rabbit, what do you see?

I see a Blue Bird looking at me.

Blue Bird, Blue Bird, what do you see?

I see a Brown Bear looking at me.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?

I see lots of children looking at me.

Children, Children, what do you see?

We see...

an Orange Fox

a Red Crab

a Green Caterpillar

a Yellow Bee

a White Rabbit

a Blue Bird

a Brown Bear

...looking at us! Yay! 

Craft Activity: Heart Animals!

Really easy, just cut out a bunch hearts in all kinds of colors! The kids went to town and loved gluing whatever, wherever.

Other Book Ideas

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Written by Bill Martin, illustrated by Eric Carle
Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine Written by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril
Guess How Much I Love You Written by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram