Whether sharing one’s own coming of age life story with adults in ELEVEN STORIES HIGH or charming children with a delightful tale of the holiday season and finding new friends in TWO CHRISTMAS MICE, Corinne Demas never fails to please her readers. With acclaimed artist, R. W. Alley, whose same water color and pencil drawings grace the pages of the Paddington series, these two talents combine to give young readers a lovely story just in time for Valentine’s Day.

When the dedicated artist and loving daughter Lily realizes there is only one week until Valentine’s Day, she wants to make her Mommy a Valentine that will be just perfect. Each day, however, as Lily tries to make that ideal heart, it just doesn’t turn out right. One day it is too skinny and one day too round. From Monday through Sunday, Lily uses all her paper to try one more time for the heart she will be proud to present. Alas, Valentine’s Day arrives and no perfect heart. With a last minute idea, Lily decides to link the hearts together and present them to Mommy apologetically saying “But none of the hearts is perfect” only to have Mommy let her know how perfect they are because the heart that matters is inside Lily!

Lively illustrations and engaging dialogue to show the frantic frustration and inexhaustible love that our little artist Lilly experiences, VALENTINE SURPRISE not only makes a perfect book for the holiday, but will also teaches shapes and days of the week to young readers. Bright colors, kitties, and Lily’s attempts at creating a traditional handmade Valentine all come together for a simply sweet story that will be read and shared many times for years to come!

Submitted Originally to Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book by Karen Haney