These Valentine's Day-themed children's books are even sweeter than candy, and heartwarming for any time of the year. Love and appreciation are to be celebrated always.

"Foxy in Love" by Emma Dodd; HarperCollins; 40 pages; $17.99.

My fourth-grader — too old for most picture books, he says — picked up this vivid, very pink book and read it out loud to be goofy. By the middle, both of us were in stitches, laughing and oohing and ahing. "Foxy in Love" is the sweet story of a little girl named Emily, her efforts at remembering what things she loves most for a Valentine's Card, and her friend Foxy feeling forgotten.

At first, a straightforward card-making foray between pals, the tale explodes in hilarity when Foxy waves his magical tail back and forth, producing jumping raccoons (though Emily wanted balloons). His waving tail then makes a bathtub full of hot chocolate and marshmallows, and a funny explosion of flour instead of flowers. Silly larks and flying tarts replace the hearts she requests, but eventually Foxy gets it right, and amidst all the chaos, reminds Emily it's about "who" she loves, not what.

Dodd's imaginative details show the raccoons gulping down everything sweet — the hot chocolate, marshmallows, tarts — until they get sick, and returning the umbrellas into Foxy's tale.

Unexpected creativity and humor, bold, bright illustrations and the underlying theme of love and friendship make "Foxy in Love" a super-sweet picture book.

"Celia" by Christelle Vallat; illustrated by Stephanie Augusseau; Peter Pauper Press; 36 pages; $16.99.

This beautiful picture book, translated from French, is a marvelous read for Valentine's Day or any day, full of love and caring. In it, a little old lady named Celia listens to people's problems and is rewarded with a colorful seed from each. She then blows on the seeds and turns them into balloons, stars and flowers — even cupcake frosting. Meanwhile, a little boy has lost his seed and decides he has to carry on to his sadness. Celia finds his seed, the pair plants it, and the boy visits often to check on the seedling's growth, and more importantly, to visit with Celia.

A gentle lesson in the power of listening and friendship, "Celia" reminds audiences how sharing one's troubles lightens their loads, like magic.

Vallat's sweet words and Augusseau's sketches pair perfectly, making "Celia" a certain classic.

"Never Too Little to Love" by Jeanne Willis; illustrated by Jan Fearnley; Candlewick; 32 pages; $8.99.

Tots will love this "climbing" pop-up tale about a little mouse whose object of love is way up high. Tiny Too-Little vows to kiss his love, but first climbs up on a thimble, matchbox, watermelon, teacup, cabbage, candle, clock, cupcake and stilts, all to no advantage. After he comes tumbling down with a "CRASH!" we learn that his love, Topsy Too-Tall, is a giraffe, and can simply bend down to give him a kiss.

With lots of foldouts and a giraffe's neck pop-up, plus whimsical illustrations and a sweet ending about how "even if you are tiny ... you are never too little to love," this sturdy book is adorable.

"Love is Real" by Janet Lawler; illustrated by Anna Brown; HarperCollins; 32 pages; $15.99.

What is love? According to these adorable families of bunnies, foxes and bears, "Love is in the little things that fill my heart until it sings." It puts sprinkles on the top and dances the bunny hop and, "Love will help you climb a tree and tape a bandage to your knee." Love, in other words, exists in the little acts of kindness that happen between friends and family every day.

Preschoolers will feel cozy knowing that love is present in all the little things that happen every day. The charming, rhyming text is sing-songy and fun to read aloud; and Brown's rounded, cozy animals are delightful.

"Guess How Much I Love You: Look What I Can Do" by Sam McBratney; illustrated by Anita Jeram; Candlewick; 16 pages; $9.99.

A "First Concepts Book" from the creators of "Guess How Much I Love You," this sturdy, padded big board book offers easy activities and learning concepts for toddlers. Little Nutbrown Hare explores nature and the sounds, shapes and weather around him. Tots can lift flaps and help Hare discover colors, numbers and other things he can explore in this pretty, gently colored activity book. When he explores shapes, for example, Little Nutbrown Hare stands on a box and points to the sun, asking Big Nutbrown Hare, "Would you rather be a square or a circle?" The bigger hare then points to a tree and says, "How about a triangle?"

With a nursery-pleasing palette of subtle, non-jarring colors and a precious, nature-filled appeal, this concept book is lovely and fun.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.