Valentine's Day / story by Anne Rockwell ; pictures by Lizzy Rockwell.

For Valentine's Day everyone is making valentines to send to Michiko in Japan. Eveline decorates her card with gold glitter glue. Pablo draws a picture of a happy fish. Jessica writes a poem. The kids in Mrs. Madoff's class remember all the things they liked to do with their friend Michiko, even though she's thousands of miles away now.

This Valentine's Day gem from the classroom Kirkus Reviews called "a charmed place" explored what it means to be a friend.

Reviews (5)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 3-Continuing their series of picture books depicting special days (Career Day [2000], Show & Tell Day [1997], Halloween Day [1997], and Thanksgiving Day [1999, all HarperCollins]), the Rockwells have again produced a realistic example of a classroom celebration. Mrs. Madoff's students are busy making valentines for Michiko, who is visiting family in Japan. Using construction paper, crayons, glitter glue, etc., each child creates a card and writes a personal message to her. Each valentine appears on a page with the short text that describes it, while the picture opposite illustrates the sentiment with which it was designed. For example, "Sarah's valentine is pink. Her valentine says, `I miss you every single day, especially when it's snack time,'" is accompanied by a picture of the two girls sitting at a table sharing crackers and juice. Finally, the class takes a field trip to the post office to mail the cards. On Valentine's Day, they enjoy the origami valentines they receive from Michiko, and exchange cards as well. With a simple and accessible text that accurately reflects the language of preschool and primary classrooms, this book depicts a common childhood experience. The animated, colored-pencil illustrations give life to the faces of the classmates, as well as to their crafts and activities.-Piper L. Nyman, Fairfield/Suisun Community Library, Fairfield, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Horn Book Review

(Primary) The latest entry in the Rockwells' series of books set in Mrs. Madoff's classroom (Show and Tell Day, Halloween Day, etc.) finds the children making valentines for ""a special friend."" Each child makes a valentine that reflects his or her connection to the intended recipient, whose identity the text reveals explicitly in the end. Observant readers will note, however, that there is a common component to every cheery illustration: former classmate Michiko is featured in each, as the children remember playing piano duets with her, or sliding down a slide with her, or sharing their snacks with her. The book is narrated by pupil Sam; his narration, though unobtrusive, keeps the story grounded in classroom activities. In addition to the parade of valentines the children create for Michiko, the story includes a trip to the post office to mail the cards and the receipt of a package from Michiko herself, full of folded-paper origami valentines for each member of the class. Author and illustrator manage to celebrate both the individuality of each child and their communal, noncompetitive enjoyment of the holiday. A warmly satisfying treatment of Valentine's Day, with the added fillip of the empowering chance to ""read"" the illustrations and thereby beat the book, as it were, to the revelation of Michiko's identity. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

This mother/daughter team returns to Mrs. Madoffs serene classroom to celebrate Valentines Day in a very special way. Sam, one of the students, describes the valentines other class members are making for their friend Michiko, who is no longer in the class. Sams imaginative valentine, a top-hatted, heart-shaped face with keyboard mouth, and arms and legs of folded paper strips, precedes a childlike picture of their shared piano lesson. Nicholas remembers taking turns on the playground slide; Sarah, Michikos generosity at snack time; Charlie, watching an airplane with her; Jessica, their purchase together of bright blue sneakers. Facing each valentine is a picture of each creator and Michiko sharing the remembered activity. Some cards are more sophisticated than othersEvans graphic signature is an apt way to recall art class with his absent friendbut all are caring. Capping their efforts is a trip to the post office to mail their stuffed envelope and finally the opening of the classs secret valentine box. Surprise! A valentine has arrived from Michiko, and it includes a picture of her with her grandparents in Japan. A plus is the front flaps invitation to find the over 200 hearts used in the illustrations. Leave it to the Rockwells to find a new story for a commonplace event: a story with heart. (Picture book. 3-6)

Booklist Review

Ages 5^-7. The children of Mrs. Madoff's class are making valentines for a "special friend." Each valentine recalls something about the recipient or expresses an emotion. Nicholas' card says, "you always let me take a turn on the slide." Sarah's pink valentine says, "I miss you every single day, especially when it's snack time." The text leaves the valentine recipient unnamed (too bad the flap copy doesn't), but children can get a clue by looking at the engaging illustrations that feature a Japanese girl having fun with her school chums, flying kites, buying shoes, sharing snacks, and going down slides. The valentines are sent to Japan, and on Valentine's Day, a box arrives at the classroom from Michiko. In it are origami valentines in the shape of birds, fish, and cats, as well as a photo of Michiko and her grandparents. The friendly text matches the well-executed pictures of friends. Kids need not have read the Rockwells' other books about this classroom, but those who have will welcome a return. --Ilene Cooper

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