10 Children’s Books That Will Make Your Kids Feel Absolutely Loved

Inside: Here are the best picture books about love that will make your child feel treasured. Add them to your collection of the best picture books.

One morning a while back, my toddler asked me to read her a book. My mental to-do list screamed at me to go-go-go – load dishes in the dishwasher, pay that bill that’s been sitting on the counter for a week, clean up the colony of crumbs under the breakfast table, and on and on.

But I stopped and looked into her big eyes – eyes hoping for a small moment of connection with me but expecting me to say, No, I’m too busy right now.

So I took a deep breath to quiet the to-do list swirling in my head, and I said yes.

She immediately pitter-pattered off to pick out a book, then met me at the couch with a grin of anticipation and seven big picture books in her little arms.

Then She Surprised Me

We cozied up next to each other on the couch, and I grabbed the first book on the stack: one that just so happens to be a favorite in our house and one the kids ask for often.

Typically, when we sit down to read together, Charlie will turn to the next page before I’ve read the current page. Or if she’s feeling extra antsy, she’ll get the next book and hand it to me before we’ve finished the first book. And then some days, she wiggles off the couch mid-book and runs off to play with Magna-Tiles or climb on the dining room table instead.

But as I read the book that day, Charlie sat perfectly still. A miracle for my rambunctious toddler.

Her rapt attention inspired me to take my read-aloud game to the next level:

• When the book said “kissing you,” I gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
• When the book said “hugging you,” I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close.
• And when the book said “bugging you,” I gave her a gentle tickle on her side and was rewarded with the best sound in the world: toddler giggles.

Related: How to Connect With Your Child: The Magic of the 5:1 Ratio {Printable}

But It Didn’t End There

When I got to the last page, I closed the book and looked at Charlie, expecting her to grab the next book and hand it to me like she always does.

“Can you read it again?” she asked. Those same big eyes, hoping for a yes but expecting a no.

I smiled. “Sure.”

Usually, reading the same book over and over makes me want to gouge out my eyes. But that time through the book, I took a peek at her face every page or two.

Glowing.

In that moment, that particular book – or rather, me reading that book to her – made my child feel absolutely loved.

Midway through the second read-through, my preschooler climbed up on the other side of me on the couch and listened in.

At the end, both girls were smiling, their faces lit up with the love they felt.

Related: 150 Family Conversation Starters That Will Unlock Your Child’s Heart

A Big “Aha” Moment

We’ve always been big readers in our family. Every Saturday, we visit the library and check out at least 20 new picture books. All three of our kids love being read to.

So I knew that reading to your kids was a great way to slow down and connect. And the beauty of connection is that it leads to more cooperation,¹Markham, L. (2021, May 24). 10 Habits to Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Child. Aha! Parenting. which means my patience isn’t tested at every turn.

But it took me nine years of parenting to finally understand how powerful the right book can be for making you and your child feel completely connected.

While the “aha” moment settled in and took root in my mind, my 9-year-old walked up behind us and leaned forward to rest her elbows on the couch.

“Can you read it again?” she asked.

I smiled and flipped back to the start.

Related: 7 Best Family Bonding Games That Will Help You Reconnect Quickly {Printable}

A Quest for the Best Children’s Books About Love

Later that day, I scoured our shelves for picture books about love where I’ve noticed my kids beaming after we finish reading.

Before that morning, I’d never made the mental connection between certain books and the reaction I saw in my kids that day. But after connecting the dots, I realized I’d already seen that reaction before. I just was too busy or too distracted to notice it.

On our shelves, we had a handful of gems. But I wanted to make a comprehensive list of all the best picture books about love that will make you and your child feel connected. The picture books that will make your child feel absolutely loved.

So I set off on a research project to find the most special children’s books about love. Instead of checking out 20 books a week at the library, we checked out 40 to 50. And as I read each new potential gem to my kids, I watched for their reaction.

10 Picture Books About Love That Will Make Your Child Feel Absolutely Loved

This book list is a true labor of love from our family to yours. Read one of these children’s books about love to get an extra dose of connection with your child.

And the best part? These picture books about love are so well written that you’ll enjoy reading them, and you won’t even mind reading them three times in a row.^†

Related: The Ultimate List of the Best Picture Books, Endorsed by Kids And Parents

^† This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. That’s Me Loving You

This is the book my kids couldn’t get enough of that day, and it’s written by one of our all-time favorite children’s book authors. She left this world too early, and That’s Me Loving You is one of her last books published.

If you can get only one of these children’s books about love, get this one because it has magic woven into each page. It’s especially perfect for kids who have separation anxiety when you’re away from each other during the day or if you travel for work.

2. No Matter What

Because of this sweet picture book about love, “no matter what” has become a common refrain in our house. One day, my toddler Charlie insisted on getting her own toothpaste on her toothbrush, and I turned around for about 30 seconds to help my preschooler brush her teeth. When I turned back, I saw that Charlie had squeezed toothpaste all over the floor.

I sucked in a quick breath, and she looked up. Her eyes met mine, and she said, “I’m sorry, Mommy. I made a mess.”

By some miracle, I was able to keep my temper at bay while we cleaned it up together. Then after we were done, I scooped Charlie up into a hug. The book came back to me, and whispered into her ear, “I love you no matter what. Even if you squeeze toothpaste on the floor.”

And ever since we got No Matter What, on the days I do get super frustrated with the kids, they always smooth things over with me later saying, “I love you no matter what. Even when you get frustrated with me.”

3. The Wonderful Things You Will Be

My toddler smiles the whole way through this book! What I love most is the message: As your parent, I’m excited to see what you will become, and I will accept and love you no matter what path you choose.

And here’s a bonus: The Wonderful Things You Will Be doesn’t play into silly gender stereotypes that tell boys and girls what they can and cannot do. For example, it’s a boy having the tea party, a boy using the sewing machine, a girl on the tree swing, and a girl as a superhero.

4. You Made Me a Mother

Full disclosure: As I’m reading, this book gives me a huge lump in my throat…every time. It’s not sad – just so incredibly sweet.

You Made Me a Mother is perfect to read aloud to your first child, but all my kids love to cuddle up next to me for this book.

5. Silly Wonderful You

If you’re looking for picture books about love that have a little splash of humor too, Silly Wonderful You is for you. A couple lines in this book make my kids giggle – still after having read this book countless times.

Just like with No Matter What, this book delivers the message that we love our little ones even when they make mistakes or drive us a little bananas.

6. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

Infants and toddlers love this book for the diverse pictures of babies from all over the world. But what we love most is that the “ten little fingers and ten little toes” refrain gives me an opportunity to count or tickle my little ones’ toes. Guaranteed giggles.

And when you get to the last page of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, be sure to follow the book’s lead and give your little one kisses!

7. If I Could Keep You Little

Of all these picture books about love, this book is the one I most need to read on a regular basis.

The sweet text in If I Could Keep You Little reminds me to slow down and enjoy my kids when they’re little because it really does move so fast.

8. The I Love You Book

This is a playful book about the unconditional love of a parent for a child. Just like with Silly Wonderful You, this book makes my kids laugh every time.

They love the “I love you when…” repetition in The I Love You Book. When the book is over, we always have fun making up our own “I love you when…” phrases – sweet and silly!

9. You’re All My Favorites

This book is unique on this list of picture books about love because it tackles the issue of whether parents have a “favorite” child. Each bear cub in the story wonders if their parents love them less because of how they’re different from their siblings, and their parents answer in such a sweet way.

You’re All My Favorites would be an especially great fit for your child if you’re expecting another little one to join your family soon.

10. I Wish You More

This is another lovely book by the same author as That’s Me Loving You. The text is simple but powerful.

My personal favorite line in I Wish You More is next to a picture of a child tying her shoes: “I wish you more can than knot.” Then at the end of the book, my kids love when I make up new “I wish you more…” phrases, like “I wish you more ladybugs than ants.” or “I wish you more frosting than cupcake.” or “I wish you more Kleenex than boogers.”

Bonus: How to Make Your Child Feel Loved Every Day

Research shows that in happy relationships, you need a ratio of five positive interactions to every one negative interaction. This is called the Magic 5:1 Ratio.

In other words, after a negative interaction with your child, you need to reconnect through a positive moment or two so you can close the distance between you and your child. Because if you don’t close that gap and your child feels a lack of connection, that will lead to more unnecessary power struggles and less cooperation from your child when you ask them to do something.

But unfortunately, when your brain is flooded with stress hormones in the moment, it’s incredibly difficult to think of something fun and sweet to do with your child so you can reconnect.

Which is why I created these Family Connection Cards, based on the science of what actually works when you need to reconnect. These cards remove the mental burden of figuring out how to reconnect with your child so you can just focus on nurturing your bond with your child. At any point during your day, you can pick a card to get a quick and simple idea for connecting.

And in just 10 minutes a day, these powerful cards will make your child feel absolutely loved and stop the power struggles caused by disconnection.

Your Turn

What are your favorite picture books about love? Share in a comment below!

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  Markham, L. (2021, May 24). 10 Habits to Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Child. Aha! Parenting.