With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’re beginning to see more pink, frilly lace, heart-shaped…well, everything, + sparkly glitter.  Oh, the glitter.  It’s enough to make any boy screw up his face + utter an emphatic, “YUCK!”  For this latest edition of our Books for Boys feature, we’re highlighting some literature that helps reframe the “season of love” for your boys.  We’ve tried to find “boy-friendly” books that have some kind of valentine-related theme while not being “girly.”  In all honesty, some of them are a stretch, but you’ll get the idea…love, hugs, hearts, brotherly love, etc.

As a friendly reminder, we ask you keep these disclaimers in mind:

1. Selecting appropriate reading material for your children is a highly subjective + child-specific process.  Please review each + every item of reading material you bring into your home before passing it along to your children.
2. As the main curator for this feature, I should point out that my own boys are very young, but I have drawn these recommendations from a multitude of resources + always welcome additions – email me at alle@findingedenmedia.com with details.  Please Note: Some of the book selections may overlap age-ranges.

Baby/Toddler

“My Valentine for Jesus” by: Laurie Knowlton

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “The last line of the book is what makes this title so special. We’re not just learning to show our love for our family + for God, but we’re given this wonderful reminder: Every time our heart beats, it’s saying ‘Jesus loves me.’” Read the full review at Christian Children’s Book Review.

“Hug” by: Jez Alborough

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: If your little guy loves animals, this book is perfect!  Each page showcases Bobo, a tiny monkey, wandering through the jungle looking for a hug.  Everywhere he turns mommies + their babies are wrapped up in snuggly embraces, but there doesn’t seem to be one for Bobo!  At one point our frustrated little friend sits down on a rock + starts to cry.  But just turn the page + you’ll find all of the animals are excited to see Bobo reunited with his mommy + cuddled up in the big HUG he’s been looking for!

Preschool/Early Elementary

“Woof: A Love Story” by: Sarah Weeks

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: Written in a sweet sing-song rhyme, “Woof” tells the story of a love-crossed dog + cat who struggle to communicate their feelings because of their “language barrier.”  With cat literally up a tree, misunderstanding dog’s declarations of love for “woofs” and growls, our saddened pup slinks away to engage in some cathartic digging.  He unexpectedly uncovers a brass bone (a.k.a. trombone) + pours his heart into playing a tune.  Immediately, the language gap is bridged + cat understands dog’s true feelings of affection + we’re left with a beautiful “happy ever after” ending!

“Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love” by: Amy Rosenthal

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: This book does a wonderful job of teaching the meaning behind various words of affection through a sweet word picture centered on cookies.  Some of our favorites include: “Unconditionally means that even when you mess up the cookies, my love for you doesn’t change one single bit” + “Selfless mean, ‘No, really, please, I want you to have the last cookie’ + “Supportive means that when your cookies are a huge hit at the bake sale, no one is happier for you than I am.”  There is even a basic sugar cookie recipe at the back of the book to complete this “experience” of learning the language of love.

Elementary

“The Valentine Bears” by: Eve Bunting

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: Mr. + Mrs. Bear have never gotten the chance to celebrate Valentine’s Day together because it falls in the middle of hibernation.  Mrs. Bear sets her alarm early to prepare a few surprises for her special valentine, but has trouble waking Mr. Bear up!  What she doesn’t know is that Mr. Bear has a few surprises of his own!  Classic illustrations by Jan Brett round out this tale of how planning sweet surprises for those you love can bring so much joy!

“The Princess + The Three Knights” by: Karen Kingsbury

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “The princess in this book is…the fairest maiden in the land, and every man would love to marry her…So the King stages a competition ‘to determine which knights possessed great courage and strength, deep loyalty and kindness, and most of all a deep faith in God.’  Three knights make it through this tournament to the final, most important test. The King asks them to pretend the princess is riding with them on their horse. They are to then ride as fast and hard as they can toward a cliff. ‘We will see which of you can take the princess closest to the cliff without going over the edge,’ the King says.  The first two knights push away their fear and come shockingly close to the edge of the cliff. The third knight remains calm and whispers, ‘I can do everything through God who gives me strength.’ But when the King asks him to perform the test, he says, ‘Your majesty, I love the princess. She is more precious to me than anything in the kingdom…I wouldn’t take her anywhere near that cliff.’ ‘That,’ the king shouted, ‘is the right answer!’ ‘For the knight was brave and strong, loyal and kind. But most of all, his faith in God had taught him that true love always protects…’” Read the full review at Christian Children’s Book Review.

Tween

“A Young Man After God’s Own Heart” by: Jim George

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “I like how well George captures the heart of boys. He shows them what it looks like to love God, but still be manly. He recognizes boys’ need for adventure, challenge and risk, and inspires them to develop their faith while being the best they can be at school, home and with their friends.” Read the full review at Christian Children’s Book Review.

“The Fellowship of the Ring” by: J.R.R. Tolkien

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: While this one might be a bit of a stretch, the themes of selflessness, sacrifice, + love for one’s comrades (within the context of the Fellowship) weave their way throughout Tolkein’s classic tale + have earned a spot in our “love-themed” book list.  Perhaps the strongest depiction of “brotherly love” in this tale is showcased in Sam’s devout loyalty to Frodo + his willingness to defend him at all costs.  ”‘If you don’t come back, sir, than I shan’t, that’s certain,’ said Sam. ‘Don’t you leave him! they said to me.  Leave him!  I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon, and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they’ll have Sam Gamgee to recon with, I said.’”  Some of the themes are a bit mature in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so bear that in mind when considering this book for your son.

Teen

“When God Writes Your Love Story” by: Eric + Leslie Ludy

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “This book explores God’s plan for lasting love, + how that contrasts with the self centered approach that young men + women too often take in finding a mate. The story roughly follows the authors from their troubled teen years as single Christians, through the friendship + courtship stages of their relationship with each other, to their present life as a married couple involved in Christian singles ministry. Authorship of each chapter alternates between Eric + Leslie as they share their life experiences + the wisdom God has given them along the way. In his quest, Eric felt that God was revealing to him “the beautiful side of love”, a heavenly song sweeter than any known by those who don’t personally know Christ.” Read the full review at Amazon.

“Dateable: Are You? Are They?” by: Justin Lookadoo + Hayley Morgan

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “This book was so helpful on getting to know how the oppsite sex thinks + how teen relationships should be portrayed. The book brought new light on many situations + emotions that teenagers feel during relationships. Rather than having ideas and “how to’s” on dating, the book made the reader ask themselves if they were ready to date, + what some of the consequences + benefits were. I really appreaciated both author’s points of views on the subjects–Morgan was more helpful on getting through to girl’s emotions, + Lookadoo was definiately more to-the-point…The book’s points were emphasized by the straightforward, playful design + fun games + quizzes in between.”  Read the full review at Amazon.

Moms

“The Five Love Languages of Children”+ “The Five Love Languages of Teenagers” Set by: Gary Chapman + Ross Campbell

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• An Excerpt from Another Review: “After reading the original Five Love Languages, I wanted to see how these same principles applied to my 4 kids. It’s a very insightful + common sense approach to nurturing + loving your children while keeping the parental-child relationship in balance (which seems to be a lost art in today’s society). My kids range in age from 9-19 + the information is applicable to every stage. I wish I would have read it sooner, but it’s never too late to tweak your parenting skills!” Read the full review at Amazon.

There’s Just Something About a Boy” by: Jenny Lee Sulpizio

• Amazon Book Description + Reviews
• Extra Thoughts: Penned by our very own MOB Writer, Jenny Lee Sulpizio, this sweet book gives a peek into the future of what raising a boy might be like for a new BoyMom!  From Kindergarten to graduation + every milestone in between, the easy-to-read rhyme scheme makes this a perfect story to share with your young son as you both dream about the man he will one day become.  We’re all living that wonderful reality of…”there’s just something about a boy.”  Don’t hesitate to add this one to your bookshelf!

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