Favourite picture books about love

An ideal gentle step-up from a board book, this sweet story about daily life with Daddy and Zeki is filled with love, play and snuggles. Fun rhyming text makes this an ideal book for shared reading time. 

This modern classic is a wonderful story about love between a child and a parent, which is never too early to share with your baby. The repetitive text lends itself perfectly to a soothing bedtime read.

Love makes a giraffe sing, skip, leap and boogie in this lovely board book addition to the original Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Over the course of one day, we see many different kinds of families engage in the same similar routines: breakfasts, nappy changes, dinners, bedtime. A warm and comforting book with an ultimate message of love and togetherness, which is perfect for bedtime or quieter moments. 

A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated board book that celebrates love and togetherness – an ideal ​“end of the day” shared real that will melt the heart of any grown-up who treasures the time they spend with their little ones.

Picture book favourites Giles Andreae and Emma Dodd team up to celebrate the relationship between a child and their father in this delightful board book.

L is for Love and L is for Lemons… A warm and joyful picture book which follows one family as they journey to the bustling Nigerian city of Lagos to sell lemons at the market.

With simple text, and bursting with bright, vibrant illustrations, this simple, inclusive, board book speaks volumes about all aspects of the love inspired by children in the adults who care for them. 

Somewhere between a board book and a picture book, this is ideal for two to three year olds who will enjoy the rhyming text and sweet story about daily life with Mummy and Zeki. Sure to prompt plenty of hugs and snuggles with mummies everywhere. 

Can Bush Baby find the best way to show love? A delightfully funny book that avoids cliché and sickly sentiment – but will certainly end with a hug!

This adorable picture book with warm toned illustrations celebrates the daily routine of a baby and the fun that can be had all day including singing in the car and visiting a farm for a fun day trip. 

This is a perfect bedtime book about the everlasting bond of love between a little mouse and her mummy or daddy.

Doug is a slug in need of a hug… but no-one wants to give him a cuddle! Will Doug ever find his perfect match? A brilliantly fun read.

Tortoise and Hedgehog are both feeling sad, and they both want a hug – but Tortoise’s shell is putting the animals off, and Hedgehog is too prickly. Will they ever find a squeeze? A clever, touching flip book.

This charming book celebrates the many ways love grows and how it helps make the world better and brighter.

Come rain or shine, follow this little boy through the four different seasons as he enjoys precious moments with his beloved grandmother.

Five children from different countries show us who they love and how to say ​‘I love you’ in their own languages. A stylish interactive board book that’s fun for pre-schoolers and older children.

Tia’s parents are separating, and she doesn’t know how to feel about it. A sensitively told book, with lovely illustrations, that could be a useful way of discussing different family situations with young children. 

A little girl cares for a duckling just as a parent would care for a baby. But also, as the duckling grows, the little girl comes to understand that part of love is letting things go. A gentle and inspiring joy to read. 

This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bobby is marrying his boyfriend, it doesn’t mean he’ll love her any less.

All the socks in the draw have pairs except for Simon Sock – he’s all alone. He’s odd. But when there’s a voice from under the chest of drawers, will he be about to meet his perfect match? A bright and sweet book about relationships.

Stick Insect has fallen in love with another stunning Stick Insect – the only problem is, it’s actually a stick. Enjoy hilarious, expressive illustrations in this amusing story.

A gorgeous celebration of all the things we do with and for the people we love – from listening, to sharing, to playing together, to hugging.

A heart-warming exploration of the adoption journey full of beautiful, inclusive illustrations.

A clear and simple book all about the power of words to affect how we feel that is perfect for young children just starting to navigate friendships for the first time.

This beautiful book display all the ways we express of love and is accompanied by glorious illustrations.

Matilda is nervous when she starts at nursery, but Mummy helps by giving her a hug button so she remembers that she is loved, wherever she is.

Fatima and her foster carer Aunty Rae have fun together, singing to the North Star.A heartwarming and moving story that reflects reality for some children.