Explaining Love to Children Through Books

The month dedicated to love has begun, that magical and essential ingredient in everyone’s life. But it’s not always easy to explain love to children: even though it is a simple feeling — and it’s precisely its simplicity that makes it so powerful — it can be difficult to show little ones that love hides in many small details of everyday life. Books are a valuable ally in talking about love with children, because they help us tackle these “big conversations” in a more understandable and accessible way.

Love in All Its Forms

One of the most important messages we must pass on to children is that love permeates every aspect of life: it can be found in the laughter of friends, the gentle caresses of grandparents, the kind words of teachers, and even in the affectionate hugs they give to their stuffed animals. Children’s books about love give us the chance to explore these different manifestations of love together, guiding them on an emotional journey that helps them understand how love is an essential part of every moment of their day.

Sharing and Understanding Emotions

Reading together creates special connections: looking at the illustrations, following the adventures of the characters, and discussing the emotions that emerge during the story makes love a tangible and concrete subject. Moreover, children’s books about love transform emotions into words and images, becoming a tool to discover the feelings surrounding love, such as empathy and understanding. This helps little ones grasp the importance of respecting the experiences, emotions, and lives of others — and to realize that everyone deserves to be loved.

Our Children’s Books About Love

Books are therefore a precious resource to explain love to children. Through unforgettable stories and characters, we can open their hearts and prepare them for a world that desperately needs love. Here are some titles we suggest:

Kisses in a Jar: the story of Felice, who sold kisses in jars, collected since childhood. His family was always very affectionate, but not everyone was so lucky. So, he decided to make kisses available to anyone who needed them. A story for both children and adults that highlights the importance of showing affection.
The Inventory of Kisses: a box set inspired by Kisses in a Jar, where we follow Felice as he takes stock of the kisses in his shop. Inside are descriptions of every kind of kiss, plus 30 postcards, each showing a kiss children can gift to someone they love.
Close to Me: a poetic, moving story about two neighbors who only glanced at each other from afar until love found its way to express itself. A tender story about the hidden feelings deep in the heart.
Orange Like Love: the story of Pallino, a penguin pup growing up with the wise guidance of Tomo, a polar bear. But what happens when his desire to meet others like him grows stronger? A tender and profound tale showing that love is powerful enough to overcome even the greatest differences.
The City of About-Face: a romantic, thought-provoking picture book reflecting on our idea of beauty and its true meaning. It shows how love, poetry, and kindness matter more than appearances, and how true beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Love Is a Circus: a romantic celebration of love, with a universal and inclusive message for everyone. Because, in the end, love is a circus for each of us — a marvelous show lived in a unique and unrepeatable way.