Escape the winter doldrums with these 6 Valentine’s Day mentor texts!
What is a mentor text? Mentor texts are usually short stories or picture books that act as examples of excellent writing or reading strategies for students.
Mentor texts highlight the best writing traits and help students develop their craft through example.
Mentor texts can also be used as examples of whatever reading skills you’re working on, from character traits, to themes, cause and effect, and more!
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, The Teacher Next Door, LLC receives a few cents on the dollar. This commission directly supports us as a small business and ensures that we can continue to create high-quality content for upper elementary teachers, like yourself! As always, the products shared are tried, true, and tested. Enjoy!
Here are 6 GREAT Mentor Texts to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Upper Elementary!
Love by Matt Peña
This book can be a tear-jerker, so if you are not afraid to cry in front of your students, this is the book for you! Peña illustrates the beauty of connection between all of us here on Earth. Beautifully illustrated, this book highlights that love can be splendid, joyous, know no limits, and overwhelming, but it can open the gateway to many other feelings as well.
Love is a beautiful book that your students will carry with them in their hearts throughout the remainder of the year.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen
This is my favorite book for February read-alouds! Mr. Hatch is quite lonely. However, one day, he receives a big, heart-shaped box filled with chocolates from the postman. He must have a secret admirer! Someone out there loves him!
This sweet story will have your students rallying for Mr. Hatch!
Love From the Crayons by Drew Daywalt
I just about squealed when I found that there was a Valentine’s Day-themed Crayons book. If you and your students love The Day the Crayons Quit, you will adore the Valentine’s Day companion book.
This adorable book has the crayons sharing what color love is, which means it’s great if you’re teaching figurative language right now too!
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
This book will have you saying, “Wow, just wow,” even as an adult. Witek perfectly explains feelings which many struggle to put into words. Best yet, this book is kid-friendly and will make for the perfect SEL lesson during the week of Valentine’s Day. Don’t let the board book look deceive you; the content here is next level and perfect for upper elementary students.
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke
This cute story shares the tale of love between a boy and his grandma. Jay Jay spends the day laughing, cooking, and eating with Grannie and his extended family. This special little book emphasizes that the love and bond between family members is strong and unbreakable.
Listening with My Heart by Gabi Garcia
Another great SEL book here, Listening with My Heart is all about self-love. Esperanza models for students how to use positive self-talk and self-compassion to cope with childhood difficulties and stress. This is an especially great book for kids who struggle with anxiety or are vocally putting themselves down. Listening to My Heart makes a great addition to any class library, and you’ll be able to refer to it throughout the year.
Need some Valentine’s Day activities and games? You’ll want to check out Easy and Fun Valentine’s Day Class Party Games!
Grab a FREE Valentine’s Friendship Game in print and digital while you’re there!
Want to add some thematic Valentine’s Day activities while still hitting standards? I love using the Valentine’s Day Literacy Set for 4th and 5th grades! It’s loaded with seven passages, 32 task cards, poetry activities, and more!
