Valentine’s Day is the best kind of holiday to celebrate love and friendship. Here is a list of some great picture books that boast and toast to perfect relationships. All of these books are good for ages four through eight.

Puppy Love: The Story of Esme and Sam, by Gillian Shields, and illustrated by Elizabeth Harbour, is a sweet story about unrequited love. Esme is a dog used to being pampered in her penthouse. Samuel lives in a poor tenement. But when Esme loses her way in the park, Samuel rescues her and love blossoms. And the New York City background makes for a setting ripe for love. This is a lovely story about how opposites attract.

Henry in Love, by Peter McCarty, is a charming celebration of first love. A young boy cat, who sits next to a shy girl bunny, is obviously interested in her as he professes his love by showing off. She notices his flirting advances with reflective observations and he loves it. The ink, and just a touch of color in the watercolors, make for a perfect pairing to the simple yet meaningful story. What a sweet way to show the way to your heart!

Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine, by Herman Parish, and illustrated by Lynne Avril, continues with the trademark of word play. The author does this best by using Amelia as the heroine who then takes the literal meaning of the word and is always misinterpreting it. Some pages involve Amelia using a bandage to mend a broken heart on one of the Valentine cards and using playing cards when she leaves her Valentines on the bus. The fun, and funny, antics of beloved Amelia is loved by all.

Woof: A Love Story, by Sarah Weeks, and illustrated by Holly Berry, is a tap-tapping, clap-clapping story that begs to be read with a twinge of music in the reading aloud. This is about a Dog and Cat who care for each other as the dog discovers music as his language of love. And the collages of colors that seem to overflow over the edges of each page add wonderfully to the storyline. This is a story to rejoice for the spoken word.

Mousie Love, by Dori Chaconas, and illustrated by Josee Massee, will amaze the hesitant admirer when love at first sight propels Tully the mouse to propose to Frill. Through all the escapades of avoiding the cat and the missus, Tully will overcome all in order to provide for his newly found love. The full-page, and brightly beautiful, illustrations propel the story right along its heart-felt way.

My Heart is Like a Zoo, by Michael Hall, constructs simple animals in heart shapes. The rhyming scheme of the simple text makes for discussions about feelings and emotions for youngsters to share. The imagery of the similes is as “snappy as a crab.” This is one fun book that begs to be read aloud.

Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and illustrated by Jane and Brooke Dyer, is a great book to teach youngsters the manners of consideration and selflessness – a prequel to love. Thinking of others is demonstrated throughout and can easily be swallowed and go down like a plate of cookies.

I Spy: I Love You, by Jean Marzollo, and photographed by Walter Wick, follows the format of the previous “I Spy” series only this book has the theme of Valentine’s Day with photos of hearts, cards and candy. This is great fun.

A Friend Like You, by Tanja Askani, is a beautifully photographed book full of the most unlikely combinations of animals. These animals have formed a bond with each other and Ms. Askani has captured it with her camera.  She cares for a wide assortment of injured animals (many are wild), that people have brought to her. The gorgeous photos and simple text makes for a tender read. However, the greatest appeal in this book is found in the back where you read about how these animals came to the author’s home and the companionship that developed. This book is a gem!

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney, and illustrated by Anita Jeram, is a beautifully repackaged edition of the perfect book for Valentine’s Day. The bedtime game that the young hare and his father play demonstrates just how much love is shown by both.

Guess Who: A Foldout Valentine’s Adventure, by Lola Schaefer, is a darling little board book with all foldouts that go beyond the usual foldout. Each page folds out first vertically then across which will finally display a huge picture of a large animal who loves you. And the rhyming text is simple and clever. This book’s “a heart” to behold!

And finally Where’s My Sweetie Pie?, by Ed Emberly, is an adorable little board book with a rhyming text as you search for Sweetie Pie. There’s a double flap surprise waiting for you at the end as you lift each flap on every page.