The 6 Easiest Valentine's Books for Beginning Readers

Valentine's Day is a fun day to share. A way to share how much we like someone, and a day that gets children busy with arts and crafts and reading. Here is our list of the 6 easiest books. These range from Accelerated Reading level 0.8 to 1.3


bookcover of Clifford's ValentinesClifford's Valentines
by Norman Bridwell

It's Clifford. And it's Valentines. And it's from Scholastic. What more do you need to know :)

Simple short sentences will be good practice for young Clifford lovers. Here's a sample of text from the first two pages:
It is Valentine's Day.

Clifford gets a card.
It is from a boy.
The story is essentially about the cards that Clifford receives. And what Clifford will do in return to show his friends how he feels about them. The most difficult words are Valentine's, Clifford, carrier, and everyone.

exclusive booksforkids-reviews.com excerpt from Clifford's Valentine
Reading Information:
Word Count: 96
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59502
Lexile: BR
  • Publisher: Cartwheel (2002)
  • ISBN-10: 0439183006
  • amazon -- sample pages available


bookcover of I Love You, Dear DragonI Love You, Dear Dragon
by Margaret Hillert

Margaret Hillert is the author of many children's books that moms and teachers have relied on to engage and teach beginning readers. Her series about a boy and his pet dragon covers many topics. In this book it's all about Valentine's Day and noticing all things red... and more.



exclusive booksforkids-reviews.com excerpt from Hillert's I Love You, Dear Dragon

For example, there's a red fire engine, cardinal, stop light, school, and apples. Valentines come into the story when Boy and Dragon make mother a special homemade card. Mother gives them a heart-shaped cake, and father reads the pair Valentine stories. Sample text follows:

Here is one for you to eat.
And here is one for you.
It is good for you and pretty, too.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 277
Page Count: 31
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 9372
Lexile: BR
  • Publisher: MODERN CURRICULUM PRESS (1950)
  • ISBN-10: 0813655234



bookcover of One Heart: A Valentine Counting BookOne Heart: A Valentine Counting Book
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Like most kindergarteners, this little girl can't wait to hand out her Valentine cards. This book can be used as a practice reader, or it can be shared with younger children learning to count.

10 hearts for the girls,
Now candy and cake.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 142
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 1.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 136327
  • Publisher: Cartwheel Books (2009)
  • ISBN-10: 0545107571
  • amazon -- sample pages available


bookcover of Valentine Mice!Valentine Mice!
by Bethany Roberts, Doug Cushman (Illustrator)

Mice get busy delivering Valentine cards to all sorts of woodland creatures. This is another book that could be used to practice identifying various animals such as rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, badgers, beavers.
One to the rabbits,
two to the squirrels,
three for the chipmonks,
Zip! Nip!
The book ends with a Valentine hug after one of the little mice gets temporarily lost.

exclusive booksforkids-reviews.com excerpt from Valentine Mice!

Reading Information:
Word Count: 100
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 44125
  • Publisher: Clarion Books (1997)
  • ISBN-10: 0395775183
  • amazon -- sample pages available



bookcover of Mouse's First ValentineMouse's First Valentine
by Lauren Thompson, Buket Erdogan (Illustrator)

If you didn't know it, Mouse's First is a series.

In this book little Mouse follows his sister as she makes some rather special looking things. They are red, and sometimes lacy. Always pretty. What could they be?

Reading Information:
Word Count: 174
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 57725
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's (2002)
  • ISBN-10: 0689847246
  • amazon -- sample pages available


bookcover of Turtle and Snake's Valentine's DayTurtle and Snake's Valentine's Day
by Kate Spohn

This one features bright colors and simple drawings. And the story has the two characters -- Turtle and Snake-- trying to surprise one another.


Today is Valentine's Day!
Turtle is planning a surprise
for Snake.


Reading Information:
Word Count: 184
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 75656
  • Publisher: Viking Juvenile (2003)
  • ISBN-10: 0670036137
  • amazon -- sample pages available