If You'll Be My Valentine

A sweet little boy takes the time to make Valentines for everyone in the family. He makes cards for his dog and his cat. There's a card for Grandma and each of his siblings. There's even a card for his teddy bear. Each card expresses the little boy's appreciation for that individual, and his story is told with gentleness and simplicity.

The Bottom Line: With rhyming verses and adorable, large scale illustrations, this picture book will be a hit with little ones in Preschool – Grade 2. Enthusiastically recommended for storytime.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.

I really liked reading this book. This book had many different reasons why I liked it. One reason I liked this book would be the easy patterned, rhyming words. The rhyming words were easy to follow and flowed very nicely. The point of view of the story was in third person and I think that it was done well because he always talked about what he and whoever he was writing to would do. The illustrations on the pages were very simple and I think that the illustrator could have maybe made the pictures more vibrant. I think that the overall message and idea of this book would be showing what this little boy loves about his family and friends in order for him to make a valentines day card.

If You'll Be My Valentine sweetly celebrates the true meaning of Valentine's Day.
Charming prose and captivatingly sweet art create an adorable tableau of loving wishes from one little boy to all the members of his family.

I like the message this book brings. I like the message because it talks about love and the things you do for people you love. I also I like how the author mentions the environment. In the book it says “If you’ll be my valentine I will write a special letter, I’ll add some hugs and kisses too, to make it even better.” The main character wrote a letter for his grandmother because he wanted to show how much he loved her and what he would do for her if she was his valentine. Towards the end of the book it says “If you’ll be my valentine, then I’ll be one for you. We’ll love the trees in all the world.” The author is telling the readers that loving the environment is important too. I love that the author incorporated the show more environment into the book. The big idea of the book was that there are many ways to show love on Valentine’s Day. show less

I really enjoyed this book! The author uses rhymes to display the story which was very fun and engaging! Rylant also uses details that describe typical Valentine traditions such as, giving out treats to multiple people in a little's boys life. He gives treats to his parents, pets, and other significant things that make him happy. I think this book is a great way to introduce toddlers to Valentine's Day because it allows them to see the happiness and joy it can bring to other people. The common theme in this book is love and traditions and the main message is caring about multiple people and showing them your gratitude!

I enjoyed this book because it was very simple but sweet. The book included simple but cute illustrations and the book was written in a rhyme which made it engaging to read and it flowed nicely. The little boy asked multiple people and toys to be his valentine and described what they would do in a rhyme format. This story did not have a real plot, there was no true conflict in it. The main idea of this story is that anyone that you care about or want to spend time with could be or valentine.

Summary:
This book is about looking in a young boy's world on everything that's important to him. On this special day he writes valentine cards to his cat, dog, family, friends, and everything he loves. With every card he has a friendly poem of sweet gestures to do if only they'll be his valentine.

Personal Reaction:
I think this book is a very sweet on how the young boy takes his time to write a card for every person and thing that is important to him. It demonstrates unselfishness, and has cheery rhymes, and great pictures to go along with the book. Sometimes a special card is what someone needs to know and remind them they are special in someone else's eyes.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1.) Read it on or around Valentine's Day
2.) Have show more each student make a valentine's day card to someone special. show less