Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, many children will be showered with cards and candy. Both are sweet expressions of love, but books also offer a great Valentine’s Day gift option. Here are three reasons to consider books for a child or tween’s Valentine’s Day treat.

1. Books can be shared between parent and child or between grandparent and grandchild.
Children crave time with the adults in their lives. Sharing a book is a great way to spend time and a perfect invitation to discuss the important things of the Bible.

2. Books can teach the nature of God’s love. Whether the recipient is a preschooler listening to a Bible storybook, a beginning reader reading an easy text Bible story, or a tween completing a devotional, books are a great way to introduce or reinforce the concept of God’s love. Recently, author Diane Stortz posted about choosing a good fit Bible storybook, and author Karen Whiting posted about choosing a devotional that will engage tweens.

3. Children can read books again and again. Young readers love being able to read books on their own. They love rereading the same books, savoring the success of becoming a reader. Here are some of the reasons that beginning readers love to read books and again. What joy to give a book to a beginning reader for Valentine’s Day! What a privilege to give the child a book that affirms God’s love for him!

Middle grade readers also love books. They are at such a critical time in life. Suddenly, they must decide what they believe and what choices they will make when mom and dad are not always with them. Offering the right books can help middle graders make God-honoring choices.

Have you shared a book with a child this Valentine’s Day?

I pray that you and your family will have a sweet Valentine’s Day spending time together and enjoying words that bring your child closer to God.

Carol