• Story book

• Choose a story from the following suggestions:
  • Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli and Paul Yalowitz, 1996. One wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man named Mr. Hatch. Preview this book on YouTube.
  • Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day is Cool by James Dean and Kimberly Dean, 2013. Pete the Cat thinks Valentine's Day isn't cool until he realizes how many special cats there are in his life!
  • The Ballad of Valentine (Picture Puffin Books) by Alison Jackson and Tricia Tusa, 2005. Set to the tune of the song "Clementine," Alison Jackson tells the sweet tale of Valentine and her beau.
  • Love You When by Linda Kranz, 2012. Popular "rock artist" Linda Kranz reminds us that those we love are always with us. During the course of a day, something sparks a thought or memory, and a loved one comes to mind.
  • I Love You Book by Todd Parr, 2013. Todd Parr celebrates the unconditional love between parent and child.
• Review How to Read a Story Book, under Resources in the Introduction.

Hold up the book and say, in these words or your own:

Here's how I am going to read the story. Does anyone need to move so they can see and hear?

This will help children move if they need to and then get settled before the story is started, so they don't interrupt the reading. It also serves as a reminder that if they stand or sit right in front of the pages, no one else can see. Invite them to find a place to settle so that everyone can see. When all are ready, read the story. When you finish reading, ask if anyone has thoughts about the story that they would like to share.

Seat a child with hearing or sight difficulties near the reader.