Lauren Ducommun

This year, while you and your kids sign Valentine’s Day cards or paint boxes to take to school or co-op, it’s a great time to pull out this book and talk about where some of these traditions came from. Ned Bustard does a fantastic job at introducing us to Saint Valentine, a man who was martyred for his faith in Christ in the early 3rd century AD.

In Saint Valentine, the Kindhearted, Bustard tells the story of Saint Valentine. who lived in Italy when it was part of the Roman Empire. This was a difficult time for Christians, as those who would not worship the Roman gods often faced persecution for it. Valentine was imprisoned for preaching God’s Word and later executed.

The poetic picture book doesn’t go into all of the details of Valentine’s persecution, as it is written with ages in 4-8 in mind. But it does highlight how he valued friendship and kindness — being intentional about showing love to many in his life. Bustard writes in a note at the end of the book:

“We don’t have much information about the real Saint Valentine other than a collection of stories associated with his name. But all of these stories illustrate a life of kindness and love–love that goes beyond the typical images of romance celebrated on Valentine’s Day.”

Ned Bustard’s pictures books on Saint Patrick and Saint Valentine are short enjoyable stories that are excellent introductions to the saints behind the holidays. [There was only one page in this picture book that I struggled with the comprehension. The page talking about disconcerting people fainting away.] In many ways, they remind me of Tomie dePaola’s picture books — vivid and imaginative illustrations and charming writing, sure to become new family classics.

The publisher sent me these books in exchange for an honest review.

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted
by Ned Bustard
IVP Kids, 2024
32 pages