Valentine Be Mine

December 10, 2012
Valentine’s Day is about more than just creating paper hearts and eating too much candy—at least, it used to be. Farmer presents a historical overview of the holiday, including the origins of its name (from three saints, all named Valentine and all martyred on February 14) and practice (including ties to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia), the evolution of the holiday’s traditions, and its symbolism. Halsey and Addy’s mixed-media collages are suggestive of handmade valentines, with a blend of classic imagery (Cupid, flowers, doves) and vintage and modern photographs of couples and families, all assembled on painted canvas backdrops. Romantic quotations from the likes of Picasso, Plato, and Tennyson appear on banners and hearts; craft ideas, jokes, and mentions of global celebrations of Valentine’s Day lend additional substance to this wide-ranging look at the holiday. Ages 6–9.

January 1, 2013

Gr 3-6-This engaging presentation is chock-full of fascinating information. Readers will learn the origin of the holiday's name and why it is celebrated on February 14; traditions dating back to ancient Rome; how a Massachusetts woman created the Valentine card industry; and why cupids, flowers, and chocolates are popular symbols around the world. Parts of the book are presented in a scrapbook format, and factual matter is interspersed with mixed-media collage, including vintage photographs and clip art, romantic quotes written on hearts, and hand-drawn images. A couple of craft projects and Valentine jokes add to the fun. This book could be useful for classroom research or just read for enjoyment. A lovely addition to holiday bookshelves.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2012
Grades 2-5 Don't let the pink jacket and fancy script fool you. Farmer uses soundly researched facts far beyond the hearts and flowers normally associated with romantic love to explore the complex history of Valentine's Day. She begins with the pagan and eventual Christian origins of the holiday, pointing out that no less than three different Roman bishops and priests named Valentine were martyred for their acts of love and devotion. Quotes from famous poets and writers are found in the margins, including many from Chaucer, who was reportedly the first to connect the holiday to romance. Two crafts, interspersed within the body of the book, help realize the urge to use this information for practical use; namely, a construction-paper valentine folded up like a mouse and a tissue-paper flower. Collage art that mimics old-fashioned Valentine's illustrations is irresistible and references traditional symbols of Cupid, doves, and chocolate. The high-interest nature of many of the facts presented here may inspire students to explore the traditions and folklore associated with other common holidays.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)