There’s only one classmate who makes “Violet’s heart skip,” and that’s brown-skinned Mira. In Violet’s imagination, she “astound[s] Mira with heroic feats” and embarks on adventures with her. In reality, whenever Mira begins a conversation with her (which she often does), Violet finds herself shy and tongue-tied. Instead, Violet makes Mira a valentine: a simple, glittery heart that says “For Mira. Love, Violet.” On Valentine’s Day, Violet has finally worked up the courage to give it to Mira when Mira startles her. The resulting classroom commotion makes Violet run away in embarrassment. Alone during recess, Violet hears Mira’s laughter—a “laugh that warmed Violet down into her boots” —and realizes that Mira is the only person who has complimented her hat, the only one who didn’t laugh at her when she fell, and the only one who’s ever “asked her to play horses.” She thinks she might have a chance after all. And, even after the wind blows the heart out of her grasp and beneath the stampeding feet of several classmates, Mira loves the valentine—crushed or not—and surprises Violet with a gift of her own. Shades of yellow and, appropriately, violet suffuse the watercolor illustrations with warmth and softness. Violet, who presents white, sports a short, reddish-purple hairdo and cowboy hat. (Ages 4-8)

Stonewall Book Award Winner
Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Charlotte Huck Honor Book

Perfect for Valentine's Day, Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.

Only one person
makes Violet’s heart skip

Of all the kids in Violet's class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira, the girl with the cheery laugh who races like the wind. If only they could adventure together! But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is.

Charlene Chua’s luminous watercolors bring to life this sweet and gentle picture book about friendship, love, and the courage it takes to share your heart.