As Valentine’s Day approaches, and even the little ones start sending Valentines to their friends, why not teach (or remind) your child of the true meaning behind the holiday? Nancy J. Skarmeas’ The history of Valentine’s Day is an effective way to do this.

This short book begins by explaining that Valentine’s Day is a holiday in which cards, sweets, and gifts are given to people we love. Stacy Venturi-Pickett’s illustrations show adults exchanging gifts and children decorating with hearts in a classroom. The author then explains, in the simplest terms possible, why February 14 is a holiday.

“A long time ago, in the city of Rome, there lived a man named Valentine. He was kind and loved by all the children.”

The illustrations show an older man holding a Bible. (It is not mentioned that he could be a priest or a monk). We learn that the king of Rome made a law forbidding young men to marry so that they could all join his army and be better soldiers. Valentine, says the author, “tried to help young men and women.” The accompanying illustration appears to show a wedding ceremony. The King did not like this, so he sent Valentine to jail. The children were sad, so they made cards and wrote letters to Valentine, hoping to comfort him. One day, a blind girl brought food to Valentine in prison. He thanked her and prayed with her, and miraculously, the girl was suddenly able to see. Valentine then sent her a letter and signed it “from her Valentine”. Today, the author concludes, we remember these events by sending cards called Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a time to show our love for our friends and family and to “remember that all of God’s children should love one another.”
What I like: Valentine’s Day is one of those ancient holidays that draws on many traditions, some pagan, some Christian, and some secular. It is impossible for us to know exactly who the original Saint Valentine was (the Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints by this name), and how much of the story is legend and how much is fact. However, this board book does a great job of providing the initial basics of how February 14th got its special name. It’s also a great way to help lead the day into an opportunity to share Christian love. My two year old simply loves this book and asks to read it over and over again.
What I do not like: I have never read the story of the blind girl in any reliable history or lore book or website; I also haven’t read about kids writing Valentine’s Day cards while he was in jail. That doesn’t necessarily mean these things aren’t a legitimate part of the lore, but I do wonder if this is part of the history of Valentine’s Day that should be offered in a book that hopes to boil down the many mysteries of the day into a simple one. cardboard book As your child develops an understanding of reality vs. fable, you can use your reading of this book to point out which parts may be myth. Also, the illustrations in this book, while not bad, are not that exciting. Interestingly, the way the illustrator renders each person’s face makes them all look almost the same.
General rating: (At the lower end of) Very good.
Age Appeal: According to the editor, 3 – 5, but my two year old enjoys it, and I think slightly older children will too.
Post Information: Candy Cane Press, 2002; ISBN: 06041845; board book, $6.95.