A Very Special Valentine: A Little Pop Book

Geoffrey Hayes
HarperFestival (2007)
ISBN 9780061227561
Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2), Max (age 19-months) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (4/08)


Tyler the fox spends a lot of time making a special valentine for his mother.  Just when he is going to surprise her with it, his cousin Obie rings the doorbell and gives Tyler’s mother a valentine of his own.  Tyler is very upset and runs off to his swing.  His mother seeks Tyler out and asks him to be her Valentine.  Tyler is confused but his mother explains to him that “A mama can have more than one valentine on Valentine’s Day.”  Tyler then retrieves the valentine that he made for her and on the last page we see the 3-D version of his card. 

Cayden:  “I got valentines at preschool!”

Cayden:  “Who is that ringing the doorbell?  Why is he giving a card to Tyler’s mom?  Oh no!”
Max:  “Oh no!”

Cayden:  “I wouldn’t like that if someone gave you a valentine mom!  Except Max.  I can help Max make one.”
Max:  “Help.’

Parent’s comments: 

“A Very Special Valentine” is a cute Valentine’s Day story that also teaches children a valuable lesson.  The pencil illustrations are very basic yet still expressive.  Without even reading the words you can completely see how Tyler is feeling just by looking at the expressions on his face.  Both of my children also love the pop-up Valentine at the end.  This book would make a great Valentine’s Day gift for any young child!

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