Will You Be Mine, Valentine?

Did you know that Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the United Kingdom also celebrate Valentine’s Day? According to the History Channel, the United Kingdom is where the oldest known valentine still exists. It was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife.

It wasn’t until later that greeting cards became popular. In America during the 1840s, the “mother of the valentine,” Esther A. Howland, began selling the first mass-produced valentines. Now over one billion cards are sent each year for Valentine’s Day!

I love being able to tell friends and family they are special to me, and nothing makes me happier than giving cards that perfectly express how I feel. However, there are more ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day than just sending cards. You can also celebrate by reading books about love and kindness.

One of my favorite books about love and kindess is “♥ 2 ♥” by Lois Ehlert. It’s a quirky story about a person who shows their affection through clever puns and a play on letters and numbers. Read this book with your kids, and encourage them to write a letter to a friend or family member using numbers and letters just like Lois Ehlert did!

Want more books about Valentine’s Day? Click here to see more titles.