Valentine [Paperback]

Carol Carrick (Author), Paddy Bouma (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2001 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Paddy Bouma's soft watercolors highlight this unusual Valentine's Day story of a loving grandmother-granddaughter relationship. Heather is disappointed that Mama can't stay home from work to spend the holiday with her. Making cookies with Grandma-including a big, heart-shaped one for Mama-cheers her up. But when Heather and Grandma check on the sheep, they find one of the new lambs cold and still. Young children will identify with Heather's pride in helping care for the lamb and her joyful anticipation of another surprise to share with Mama.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Heather says good-bye to her mom one Valentine's Day morning, she speaks for many children of working parents: "Why do you always have to go to work?... I don't want you to go." But in this quiet, James Herriot-style story, Heather's self-pity evaporates as she tends the sickly newborn lamb Grandma discovers later that morning in the barn. Grandma warms him with a hairdryer, and Heather wraps him up in her blanket and feeds him a bottle. He recovers and Heather names him Valentine. When Mama returns, Heather says proudly, "He needs me. ... His mother can't take care of him." Credibly and sensitively, Carrick (Two Very Little Sisters) portrays Heather's sadness, anger and happy realization that mothers are not the only ones who can love and care for their children (or lambs). Bouma's (One More Time) illustrations-soft washes of color bound by airy pencil marks-heighten the ingenuous tone of the story. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?It's Valentine's Day and Heather is upset. With understated prose, Carrick captures a familiar mini-drama played out in countless homes: "'Why do you always have to go to work?' said Heather. I don't want you to go.'" Mama answers, "'I would rather stay home with you.'" The plot line is simple and effective: the child and her grandmother plan to spend the day baking Valentine cookies (a project that distracts Heather for only a little while), but when they go out to the sheep pen to check Clover, the day takes on an abrupt turn: one of her newborn lambs is cold and stiff. The life-and-death suspense that follows is mild and appropriate for young children, who will be fascinated by the ways in which Grandma and Heather warm up and save the little lamb, Valentine. Carrick weaves accurate information into the story, creating a tale with a strong message about love and caring. Bouma's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, done in a soft palette with occasional interesting color accents, blend well with the text. Visual details reflect comfort and safety: cozy kitchen, warm fire, child-sized rocker, steam billowing from a kettle, a nosy black cat. A very successful effort that children will relate to and enjoy.?Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, WI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (January 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618051511
• ISBN-13: 978-0618051519
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite Book, July 25, 2011

By 

Julie (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Valentine (Paperback)

We ordered this book b/c its our favorite. It follows a little girl who doesn't want her mom to leave for work on Valentine's Day and then discovers that one of the newborn lambs needs her and grandmother to survive. Every time we read it, it's a treat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you like baby animals?, April 15, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Valentine (Paperback)

By: A.L.
Do you like baby animals? If you do then this story Valentine is for you. This book is about a little girl and her mother has to go to work on Valentines Day. Then right after her mother leaves a baby lamb is born. The baby lamb is sick when it's born they take him inside and they take care of him. Dose the lamb live. Read Valentine to find out!
My favorite part is when they take him inside because it shows the reader that they care for him so much!
I recommend this book for people who like animals!

5.0 out of 5 stars touching story, June 23, 2009

By 

Maggie Keyser "kteacher1" (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Valentine (Paperback)

A perfect book to read around Valentines Day - touches on issue of working moms, farm life, and family love. Beautifully illustrated.