7 sweet books that celebrate love

Love Is My Favourite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark

Plum the puppy just loves to be loved, but she's full of energy and can't quite help getting into trouble. The gorgeous illustrations  in this book perfectly capture a dog’s exuberance and eagerness to please. There are riotous scenes of stealing ice-cream and ripping pillows which are hugely infectious, but afterwards Plum always worries - will she still be loved despite her naughtiness? This sweet canine story is perfect for reassuring cheeky children who have a little bit of Plum inside them, and can’t quite contain their bounce!

Puppy Love by Eric Hill | Puffin

Spot knows spreading a little bit of puppy love can brighten up anyone’s day. This wonderful new edition of this Puffin picture book is full of Eric Hill’s beautiful artwork, accompanying the sweetest of Spot’s daily moments with the most heartfelt of text. This gorgeously Valentine’s themed book is a charming addition to the bookshelf, and is a lovely little book to leaf through together with a new generation of Spot readers.

Croc and Bird by Alexis Deacon

A crocodile and a bird both emerge from their eggs and - knowing no better – think that they are brothers. Growing up, the pair begin to realise their mistake after meeting others of their kind. Croc and Bird try to go their own way, but the bond between the pair ensures the unlikely duo stay together. This is a beautiful and brilliant book about sibling love that touches on big themes of kinship and difference, but done with such a light touch that little – and big – readers will be entertained and entranced.

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni

Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse is a sweet and quirky story of the friendship between a real and mechanical mouse. Alexander wonders why he is shooed away while Willy the wind-up mouse is adored. He goes on a quest to turn himself into a toy, helped by a mysterious magic lizard. When he discovers poor Willy has been thrown out with other old toys Alexander changes his wish and asks for the metal mouse to become real. Originally published in 1969, this edition brings the off-beat illustrations to life again for a new generation. 

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Love You Forever is a tale of motherly love, a darling story of the bond between a mother and child. Focusing on the journey of one little boy as he moves through childhood into adulthood, this simple story bears universal relevance to parents and children everywhere and is a fantastic story to share together.

Pig and Small by Alex Latimer

Pig and Small echoes the well-loved tale of Charlotte’s Web, but is perfectly suited to younger readers. Pig wakes one morning to find a tiny bug squeaking on his snout. The creatures of differing sizes become friends but none of the things they like to do work for both of them – bug is just too small! This is a beautiful, witty book about making relationships work despite differences, and is great for children learning to negotiate their first friendships in nursery and school.

The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat by Julia Donaldson | Puffin

The classic poem by Edward Lear is brought up-to-date with beautiful new illustrations in this Puffin picture book, with a forward by beloved contemporary children’s rhymer Julia Donaldson. The whimsical lyrics are still fresh with a sense of wonder and quirkiness, as the unusual pair adventure for a year and a day to finally be married by a turkey with a ring from a piggy-wig’s nose.