We continue our series of posts celebrating and honoring different holidays of the year from the well-known holidays to the odd, funny, and wacky holidays. Try these read-alouds for the February holidays. Enjoy reading a book a day with the children in your life.
Books for Kids About February Holidays
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February 1st: World Hijab Day
Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs by Razeena Omar Gutta is the story of a young girl who loves hijabs and accessories. But, her collection is overflowing and she needs a fashionable plan to deal with it.
February 2nd: Groundhog Day
It’s Groundhog Day and Brownie steps outside to see her shadow. Disappointed she travels on when a fox pounces right on her. Brownie convinces the fox that he’ll have to wait for a meal. Together they continue on looking for signs of spring all the while teaching the fox not to eat her for a snack. Read Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox by Susan Blackaby.
And, read even more books to celebrate the day.—> Groundhog Day Books
February 3rd: American Painters Day
I’ll admit I wasn’t familiar with Horace Pippin until I read A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant. That’s the great thing about children’s books. Even adults can learn from great picture books. Meet an incredible artist who overcame obstacles and pursued his talent.
February 4th: Thank a Mail Carrier Day
Good-bye Curtis by Kevin Henkes will inspire you to write a thank-you note to your mail carrier.
February 5th: National Monarch Day
Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery by Meeg Pincus uncovers the mystery that was solved in 1976 about where the monarch butterflies go each year.
February 6th: Pay a Compliment Day
Pass it On by Sophy Henn is a beautiful message to share kindness all around from a smile to a laugh.
February 7th: National Periodic Table Day
What words or images come to mind when you think of the color purple? Did you know that purple was pretty hard and smelly to create until 1856? That’s when William Henry Perkin accidentally invented a new way. Read all about him and the chemistry behind purple in Perkin’s Perfect Purple by Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn.
February 8th: Opera Day
The Story Orchestra The Magic Flute illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle takes Mozart’s opera and melds story, music, and illustrations into a beautiful book. As you read, press buttons to hear sounds from different acts.
February 9th: National Pizza Day
How to Eat Pizza by Jon Burgerman starts out with a slice of pizza asking the question, “How do you eat pizza?” and that leads to first picking the right slice. Perhaps you like chili flakes or basil on your piece. But, when “the” slice of pizza determines we are about to eat him, he tries to sway us to try another slice. My kids were totally amused by the “crusty bottom” pages.
Keep reading.—>More Pizza Books for Kids
February 10th: National Umbrella Day
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates seems like a very simple story, but when you let it soak in there is a great message about inclusion and the fact that there is room for everyone no matter size, race, or preference.
February 11th: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating takes you deep into the sea to study those feared creatures-sharks. Well, Eugenie Clark wouldn’t say they needed to be feared.
February 12th: National Lost Penny Day
A Penny’s Worth by Kimberly Wilson is a clever treat. Penny feels great coming off the minting press. But, soon she discovers that the bigger denominations are the ones who get all the love. Does Penny have a place in the world? Full of puns and a quick primer on basic coin values.
February 13th: National Apology Day
A sincere apology has different parts. Learn all about apologizing in How to Apologize by David LaRochelle.
February 14th: Valentine’s Day
My Creepy Valentine by Arthur Howard is the story of Mitzi the Witch and her quest to create the perfect valentine for someone special. She definitely has a way with words that will have the kids giggling. And, of course, there is a sweet ending.
Keep celebrating the day.—>Valentine Books and Activities
February 15th: National Hippo Day
Who knew that learning about hippos could be so fascinating. But, Hippos are Huge! by Jonathan London will captivate your group of preschoolers. It’s packed with interesting facts, danger, and huge everything.
February 16th: National Almond Day
So we aren’t reading specifically about almonds today. But, we are going with the nut theme.
Norman and Bella are craving donuts. In fact, they can smell them in the air. But, they have to figure out how to outsmart a donut food truck baker first in order to get some in Donut Feed the Squirrels. Turns out they create a sensational new donut flavor in the process in Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song.
February 17th: Random Acts of Kindness Day
Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj is the a look at the chain reaction one small act of kindness can have on the world.
Keep the kindness going.—> Books About Kindness
February 18th: Pluto Day
How do you think Pluto felt getting that call that it wasn’t a planet anymore? Well, Adam Rex, has some ideas in this fun and informative read-aloud. The kids will be giggling and soaking up lots of solar system information as they enjoy the text and playful illustrations in Pluto Gets the Call.
February 19th: National Arabian Horse Day
Horses: Trotting! Prancing! Racing! by Patricia Hubbell is about all the things that horses do. The book also identifies many different kinds of horses.
February 20th: National Muffin Day
If You Give a Moose a Muffin is part of a very fun series by Laura Numeroff. When a moose comes to visit, you will have to give him a muffin. And of course, if you give him a muffin, he will want some jam to go with it. One thing will remind him of another until eventually, we circle back to him wanting a muffin again at the end of the story.
Of course, you need to make these yummy hot chocolate muffins too.—>If You Give a Moose a Muffin Recipe
February 21st: Language Day
My First Book of Korean Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Korean Language and Culture is a series of seven books. You can also check out the Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, and more books.
February 22nd: National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
Strong family ties and creative problem-solving are in store when you enjoy Sweet Potato Pie by Kathleen Lindsey.
Sadie’s family is faced with a drought. Sweet potatoes are the only crop that can be saved. With money being tight, the family comes up with the idea to turn those sweet potatoes into sweet potato pies and sell them at the Harvest Celebration.
It takes a lot of hard work to pull off the pie-making process. All hands are on deck.
Best of all…there is a recipe for sweet potato pie including a homemade flaky crust in the back of the book.
February 23rd: Play Tennis Day
Names that immediately come to mind when you think tennis! Check out Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome.
February 24th: National Dance Day
Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly Mackay takes us along on a first outing to the ballet and theater to see The Nutcracker for the first time. There is an interesting play with color in the illustrations.
February 25th: Quiet Day
Listen… it’s something I think we can all do more of with each other. Listen by Gabi Snyder challenges us to not just listen to all that is going on around us, but listen to what is going on inside of each of us too.
February 26th: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Frederico is on his way to visit his Abuelo when he runs into a hungry wolf Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez. Of course, he outwits him and celebrates with a yummy treat with his Abuelo in the end. This story is an American-Mexican variation of Little Red Riding Hood. And, it’s a delight to read. Plus, you can follow the recipe for pico de gallo.
February 27th: National Strawberry Day
I LOVE Strawberries! by Shannon Anderson is diary-style book will inspire you to plant your own strawberry patch this spring.
February 28th: National Tooth Fairy Day
How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell is full of mischief. The tooth fairy meets a cunning little girl named Kaylee who loves to pull pranks. The two try to outwit each other until they eventually become great friends.
Printable List of February Holiday Books
Grab a printable list of the books to enjoy with the kids.
Enjoy reading with the kids this February.
And, get ready to read in March too.—> March Read-Alouds
*This post first appeared 1/24/22 and has since been updated.
Caron Small says
Thank you very much for this list, jodie! There are some weird and Wonderful holidays around, although it might be better/cheaper for me to celebrate national strawberry day in may or june, particularly when wimbledon is on as that could be a good tie in! Some of the titles and blubs of these books have already made me smile!😊