If You'll Be My Valentine [Paperback]

Cynthia Rylant (Author), Fumi Kosaka (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

IF YOU'LL BE MY VALENTINE

Cynthia Rylant and Fumi Kosaka

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS - A little boy creates and presents valentines to his pets, family members, and even his teddy bear in this appealing picture book. Told entirely in rhyme, the story commemorates kindness as well as love: the child reads a book to a younger brother and sends an affectionate note to his grandmother. There are also touches of humor: he tells his dog, "If you'll be my valentine/I'll give you extra treaties./I'll give you two/and maybe three/and let you lick my feeties." The text reads smoothly and is ideal for sharing aloud. Kosaka's pastel artwork is warm and cheery, depicting simply drawn characters set against textured backdrops. On each spread, the text is printed on the left page above a small picture of the appropriate valentine; the right side contains a large illustration of the youngster interacting with the card's recipient. Include this book in holiday programs that celebrate sentiment over commercialism. - Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. This pleasant picture book brings a young child's sensibility to Valentine's Day. In each verse of the rhyming text, a little boy addresses someone or something he loves, from his cat and his teddy bear to his little sister, his big brother, and his parents. He makes a card for each, expressing his affection and offering a way of spending time together, such as pulling his sister in a wagon or making funny faces with his father. The simplicity of the words and the warmth of the shared activities are reflected in the large scale of the artwork, which creates a friendly, reassuring world with its rounded forms, smiling characters, and gentle colors. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060092718
• ISBN-13: 978-0060092719
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( R ) > Rylant, Cynthia
  • #77 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Valentine's Day
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Valentine's Day

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Quiet Warm Book, April 13, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: If You'll Be My Valentine (Library Binding)

"If you'll be my valentine
I'll give you extra treaties.
I'll give you two
And maybe three
And let you lick my feeties."

It's Valentine's Day, and a young boy's thought turn to...his dog. The toddler has also written valentines for his cat, his teddy bear, a bird, his grandma, a neighborhood girl, his grandma, mom, and other family members. The book, written by the author of "The Nothing to Do Puppy," may serve as a reminder that one doesn't need to wait for Valentine's Day to enjoy playing and showing one's feelings towards others.

The poems are very lyrical and sweet, and the words easy to read. The book focuses on simple, shared fun, the enjoyment of animals and nature, and gentle give and take of good relationships: Sitting with his brother (I assume), the young boy assures him: "If you'll be my Valentine/I'll sit with you today. We'll read a book/ about some frogs/ If you don't want to play. L There's a Valentine showing a frog holding a heart underneath the text. The facing pages shows the boys read together on a soft-looking, big green couch with a plate of heart-shaped cookies nearby. Illustrator Fumi Kosaka's drawings are soft, soothing, and uncluttered, and the text is set against slightly textured solid color backgrounds. It's a warm, sometimes humorous book, good for Valentine's Day, sleep time, or just cozy up and read time. The book seems just a bit expensive compared to others, but that may be due partially to the fame of its author, the award-winning Cynthia Rylant, and its recent publication date.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific for Teachers!, March 19, 2006

By 

D. M. Pali (AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If You'll Be My Valentine (Paperback)

This is a great book to use for some modeled writing with our beginning writers. Children can relate to the text and the message. Illustrations are charming as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for preschoolers, February 17, 2011

By 

K. Kane (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: If You'll Be My Valentine (Paperback)

I purchased this book as well as The Ballad of Valentine. We L-O-V-E both books, but found this one to be perfect for reading to my son's preschool class of 3 and 4 year olds. This book is very sweet and fun. I highly recommend it. The Ballad of Valentine is so much fun, but probably too complicated for 3-4 year classroom. Fine for one-on-one.