Wednesday, August 20, 2008   

Search   Catalog   Site   Databases   Historic Images   Web  

Books, Movies and Music

For Adults: Holiday Hearts: Recipes by Pamela Sheldon Johns Valentine School Parties: What Do I Do? by Wilhelminia Ripple Valentine Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family by Sara Perry with Kathlyn Meskel Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine Cards by Robert Brenner Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald edited by Jackson R. Bryer and Cathy W. Barks 100 Love Sonnets (Cien Sonetos de Amor) by Pablo Neruda 50 Greatest Love Letters of All Time Selected by David H. Lowenherz Shakespeare in Love: The Love Poetry of William Shakespeare For Teens: Blushing: Expressions of Love in Poems & Letters compiled by Paul B. Janeczko Teen People Love Stories of True Romance edited by Jennifer Soong The Girls' Book of Love: Cool Quotes, Super Stories, Awesome Advice, and More edited by Catherine Dee Romance, Poetry and Relationship book lists for teens. Movies: Chocolat Shakespeare in Love Il Postino Angelina Ballerina: The Magic of Dance Clifford the Big Red Dog: Be My Big Red Valentine Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

For Kids: Strawberry Shortcake: Be My Valentine! by Megan E. Bryant Pooh's Valentine by A.A. Milne If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant Little Bear's Valentine by Else Holmelund Minarik Valentine's Day: Candy, Love, and Hearts by Elaine Landau Rhyme Time Valentine by Nancy Poydar Valentine's Day at the Zoo by Nadine Bernard Westcott Olive You! And Other Valentine Knock-Knock Jokes You'll A-Door by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg The Story of Valentine's Day by Clyde Robert Bulla Valentine Fun Activity Book by Judith Stamper Rotten Ralph's Rotten Romance by Jack Gantos Favorite Greek Myths retold by Mary Pope Osborne Music: Come Fly With Me Michael Bublé A Thousand Kisses Deep Chris Botti Ella and Louis Again Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Love Songs Nat King Cole Love Songs Julio Iglesias

---

Journal Articles

Below you will find journal articles on the subject of Valentine's Day.

A Denver Public Library card is required to access these articles from outside the library or from home. Get a library card now.

Can Valentine's Day be Healthy...and Sexy?

Validating Valentine

Who Prays to St. Valentine?

Victor and St. Valentine

---

Links

Mail a Valentine from Loveland Learn How to Say I Love You in 60 Different Languages

Valentine's Day Recipes History, Cards, and Crafts Valentine's Day Fun for Kids

---

History

There are many different legends about Valentine's Day. One such story is that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married so he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.

Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine,' words still used on cards today.

February 14 was also a Roman holiday where young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!

In AD 496, Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's Day." Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.

Read more history of Valentine's Day.

Denver Public Library Online ©
Updated: February 08, 2008