We have the St. Patrick book, so when the St. Valentine book came up, I was curious. I’m always on the hunt for a good, factual, holiday read aloud for my students. The book is cute, and I’m adding it to our library wish list. But I probably wouldn’t use it for a read aloud. It’s in rhyme, so the sentences can be jumbled up a bit, making it harder for young children to understand.

I am so thankful for Ned Bustard’s work. This series on saints has brought so much joy and liturgy into celebrations with children. Saint Valentine’s book age appropriately engages children in the history of the saint. The rhyming sing song words and icon style art throughout the book actively engage children as we read through together. I received a digital ARC from NetGalley but hurried to preorder a hard copy after reading it!

This is an interesting rhyming story with great illustrations and facts about St. Valentine. While I am not a big fan of Christian fiction, I think this would be a good addition to libraries that enjoy that genre.

This picture book presents an interesting review of what is known about Saint Valentine.

Bustard is both the author and illustrator. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations done in woodcut style and then embellished with bright colors.

The story is presented in rhyme. Each part is a kind of vignette about different aspects of Valentine's life. They include his experiences with individuals as well as soldiers and the Emperor Claudius. Despite imprisonment, Valentine continued to write his poetry about the four types of love and sent some of them as lettters. Hence, the origin of sending Valentine's on the date of his martyrdom, February 14th.

I believe this book will have wide appeal with Christian schools and parents

This is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written children's book explaining the reason for Valentines day. The author tell stories from Saint Valentine's life in an engaging poem format. In addition to the wonderful writing, throughout the book there are many different illustrations and in each of these there are different colored hearts around the picture. Each different color represents a different type of love (this is all explained in the back of the book). Over all this is a great story explaining the meaning behind Valentines day and its engaging to a wide age range. (including adults)

I love this story. It is simple and although sometimes the rhyming is cringe worthy it is well written and a very good account of the life of a Saint we often just take for granted.

It gives new meaning to the words of the old Valentine rhyme "Roses are red, violets are blue ..." Pictures are amazing. Suitable for any age - 4+.

Thank you Ned for putting this book together. and to inter varsity Press and Netgalley for the advance copy.

A good description of St. Valentine and why he is still remembered after all these years. The forced rhyming was annoying but not enough to stop reading. Very nice illustrations, though not historically accurate. The page explaining the meaning of the different-colored stars was quite helpful. (I'll be pointing that page out when I show the book to parents.)

Almost Valentine's Day. So, who was Saint Valentine? Spoiler Alert, he is a cool dude, a king guy, a Saint. This children's book is accessible and the writing and illustration makes it appear to be an Illuminated Manuscript. This is very lovely, indeed. The book explains a lot, except for the chocolate aspect. Although, I suppose, anyone who give you chocolate for free is a Saint. Right?

The story of the real St. Valentine is far less well known than the Valentine's Day holiday. Illustrator/Author Ned Bustard's Saint Valentine the Kindhearted gives readers a highly imaginative narrative rendered from the few historical facts available about the Third Century holy man. More than that, in rhyme, Bustard creates a lesson on the kinds of love throughout humankind rooted in God's love.

Young Valentine lived long ago
Before Vivaldi or van Gogh
The town of Terni was his home,
in Italy – just north of Rome.

That is an example of the narrative style, which suits the tale for children and adults. This would be an excellent story to read to a child at bedtime. Likewise, a curious adult can use the book to expand their knowledge of legends, or as a jumping off point for deeper study of the real saint, who was the patron of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers.

The facts of the story are that Valentine, either a Third Century priest or bishop, refused to worship idols, the Roman emperor, Claudius II, and interfered with the army by marrying Roman soldiers. At that time, military men were not allowed to wed. He sent love messages to the community from his dungeon cell until the end.

I was not familiar with Valentine's story so it was fun to learn. I like the inclusion of the Christian message.

Sadly, I detest verse and would rather see the book in prose. The rhyming even led to a moment of confusion at one point when the I thought it said that Valentine loved the action of hurting rather than people who were hurting.

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted is a clear, concise, and kid-friendly presentation of the history of the man that many now call St. Valentine. I remember learning about St. Valentine when I was a child and am happy to find that a book has been published to make the story of his life more readily accessible. I enjoyed the lyrical nature of the story, and though I'm not a personal fan of the art style, I would say that aspect was also well done. Accuracy is highly important in a book on this type, and St. Valentine the Kindhearted seems adhere closely to the history that I learned about Valentine and his life, though I would have liked to see a statement in the book about how not everything written about St. Valentine's life is proven fact. In the author's note, he does acknowledge how some details about his life are drawn from stories that were passed down, but it isn't eluded to in the text at all. Despite that, this book should open up doors for great conversations with kids and students, which makes it a good resource for parents and teachers.

Thank you to NetGalley and IVP kids for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thought this was going to be more historical, but instead its a rhyming story of the saint, told entirely from an early Christian POV with no real context.

This book was so much more than I expected at first glance, I expected it to be a straightforward nonfiction book about Saint Valentine. The rhyming text blew me away, how Bustard was able to pack so much information into each page. The illustrations went beautifully along with the text. After reading the author's note and seeing the part about the hearts throughout the book representing the different types of love I had to go back and re-read it to see all he hearts on the different pages.

A nice little book, tells the story of Saint Valentine (who lived at the time of the Roman Empire in a town north of Rome) in a rhyming fashion accompanied by unique drawings.....but they're very good & seem to compliment the text nicely... I think kids would enjoy this story read to them. I enjoyed, & learned from, the 'Note from the Author' at the end. It expands a bit on the Saint's life & explains the 4 different kinds of love described in the story, & how they were illustrated thru out the book.....so is interesting to go back & look at that. This is the 2nd book of this author I've read, & liked.
I received a digital ARC from publisher InterVarsity Press-IVP Kids via NetGalley for independent review purposes.

I love each and every one of these children’s books by Ned! I hope Ned finds himself called to publish more and share the true stories of saints with God’s children!

I love the illustrations and the attempt to infuse humor and rhyme, but this one fell flat for me. The rhyming felt a little forced in places and took precedence over clearly telling the narrative. Not sure my kids would follow the sequence of events because of the presentation.

What a fun little book about Saint Valentine. This book talks about the kindness and love shown by Saint Valentine because he recognized the love and kindness of our Savior Jesus Christ! I loved this book and its message ❤

I was especially excited to read this after enjoying Bustard's work in _Every Moment Holy_, and it did not disappoint!

The playful rhymes are surprisingly compelling, and as I study the artwork I'm increasingly impressed with Bustard's range and talent. The author note at the end even noted how he used different colored hearts to capture four different types of love first written about by the ancient Greeks (eros, storge, philia, and agape--which, incidentally, correspond with those written about by C.S. Lewis in The Four Loves; insert geek moment here).

The book provides a wonderful introduction to both the author and the topic. Recommended for ages 4-8, but I think anyone would enjoy it!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I was intrigued to read a children’s book about Saint Valentine. The story is told in rhyming form and follows Valentine as he lives his Christianity during the time Rome is ruled by Claudius. I learned some things about Valentine, the miracle he performs and the baptisms that followed. I knew he wrote letters from prison and according to legend that is where Valentine’s Day comes from. The rhyming doesn’t always flow smoothly. I can see this being used in a church library or school. But my public elementary school district rules would not allow me to purchase a book that is overtly religious and not biographical in nature. Thank you to Netgalley and InterVarsity Press, IVP Kids for the temporary ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted is my last read of 2023 and finishes off my year with a message of peace and love with this Christian non fiction book for children.

Most people know Valentine's Day is on 14 February and traditionally the day is about romantic love and material gifts. I would image that few (and I include myself in that number) know the details behind the day and the saint that it was named after.

Saint Valentine's was a trailblazer in Rome, standing up for his faith despite the danger and realities of prison. His kind heart is demonstrated in the determined perseverance in taking care of people in need and sharing the love of God. For this he was martyred. Saint Valentine's actions of love in action (deeds) and the written form (letters) is diluted into the commercialisation of the day that bears his name.

This rhyming poem reclaims that day by firmly citing it in love for others as revealed in Saint Valentine's life. Historical details are scares but the brief records including one or two notable events reveal the person behind the myth.

I loved the illustrations and author's note at the end which explained the different types of love. This book is recommended for all ages and isn't limited to those with a an interest in Christianity or history.

My thanks to InterVarsity Press/IVP Kids and NetGalley for a digital advance copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.