February is the shortest month and is firmly set in winter. At this time, we’re dreaming of warmer, longer days. Summer fun and camps await us, but February is also a time to express love for family, friends and oneself. Discover some books about summer camps, Valentine’s Day and love. Check them out from your local library.
Board Books
“My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day”
by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker
Why does baby love Valentine’s Day? In this colorfully illustrated board book, we find out all the things baby loves about Valentine’s Day, including the homemade cards full of lace and hearts. This board book has simple text and colorful illustrations, perfect for sharing the love with toddlers.
“Llama Llama, I Love You”
by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama has a lot of love to give in this cute and fun board book, perfect for our littlest friends. Llama Llama wants to show his friends and family how much he loves them on Valentine’s Day. What better way than with homemade cards and hugs? The simple rhyming text and colorful illustrations make for a great read-aloud book for babies and toddlers.
Picture Books
“I’ll Love You From Afar”
by Racha Mourtada, illustrated by Sasha Haddad
The past two years have been very hard on all of us. Some have been unable to see the ones they love. This beautifully written picture book reassures readers that even though we may not be together now, we will be soon. The text is lyrical, making for a great read-aloud book or one-on-one sharing. The illustrations bring the story to life.
“Seaside Stroll”
by Charles Trevino, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
The beach is great fun in the summer. Swimming, building sandcastles, eating ice cream and more … but have you ever been to the beach in winter? Through this beautiful picture book, readers go on a winter seaside adventure through the surf and sand. Discover a summer destination in winter.
“Porcupine Cupid”
by Jason June, illustrated by Lori Richmond
Porcupine wants to find a way to get all his friends together on Valentine’s Day. He hatches a plan to use his quills, much like Cupid’s arrows, but to his friends’ dismay. It’s not much fun being poked! This book shows how we can celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing our friends how much we care.
“The Ramble Shamble Children”
by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
When summer vacation comes, it’s a great time to spend outdoors. In this colorful picture book, we follow a group of siblings spending their summer days planting a garden and fixing up their backyard. Summer sun and summer rains fill their days, along with colorful flowers. Sometimes the best way to spend a summer day is spending it with family.
Easy Chapter Book
“Fish and Sun” (I Can Read Comics Level 1)
written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
Fish is finally out and about on his own when he looks up at the sky and sees something bright and yellow. Fish and sun spend the day together, but what happens when the sun must set? In this easy reader graphic novel, newly independent readers will enjoy the adventures and friendship of fish and sun. Bright illustrations complement the easy-to-read text.
Middle-Grade Books
“Forget Me Nat” (Nat Enough #2)
written and illustrated by Maria Scrivan
Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to let a crush know you’re crushing on them. What happens when you’re the one who’s crushed? Natalie is feeling confident. She’s showcasing her talents, has great friends and is spending time with Derek, her crush. That all comes crashing down when Derek says he just wants to be friends. Nat’s confidence starts slipping. Can she recover from being crushed? This middle-grade graphic novel is perfect for anyone who has, or had, a crush and felt crushed.
“Boy-Crazy Stacey”: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #7)
by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Gale Galligan
It’s summer vacation and time to hit the beach. Stacey and Mary Anne are babysitting down at the New Jersey shore in this graphic novel version of the ever popular Baby-Sitters Club series. They’re ready for sand and sun. Stacey would rather hang out with the cute lifeguard than help Mary Anne watch the kids. Will this summer vacation ruin a friendship and break some hearts? This fun graphic novel will delight middle-grade readers or those feeling nostalgic for their childhood reads.
“Lumberjanes”
by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters and Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke A. Allen
Have you ever wanted to go to sleepaway camp? For the Lumberjanes who attend Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types, they get way more than they ever bargained for. Spanning 20 volumes, these Lumberjanes come up against fantastical creatures, time travel, friendship and more.
Mary Westbrook is a children’s librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
This piece first appeared in the February 2022 issue of MetroKids.
