Awww, Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it, it's the perfect opportunity to pour on the book love with a selection of cuddly, smoochy and loved-up books from awesomely creative folk.

First up is a real "HUG" in book form, in fact it's called "The Hug" and it's by Eoin McLaughlin with glorious characterful illustrations by Polly Dunbar.

In the spirit of "Guess How Much I Love You" you'll meet a cute Hedgehog and a wrinkly tortoise.

Both are feeling very sad because they can't seem to find a hug anywhere. Each animal they encounter shies away, but when they find out that it's because Hedgehog is too spiky, and Tortoise is too bony, perhaps all they need to do is find each other!

A beautiful little book which comes in a large paperback format, or a cuddlesome and cute tiny hardback edition. Lovely!

"The Hug" by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar is out now, published by Faber and Faber. 

Our perennial fave characters, those awesome Mr Men and Little Miss characters from the creative minds of Roger and Adam Hargreaves are back with a very special book all about love.

The Mr Men and Little Miss Folk will help you show that special someone just how much they mean to you with this warm and witty celebration of love and friendship.

Following the bestselling My Mummy and My Daddy, this delightful book pairs Roger Hargreaves classic artwork with affectionate and humorous new text to help children and adults share the love on Valentine's Day or at any time they want to say I love you.

We've loved the Mr Men and Little Miss books for years, so don't miss out on this very special new book that's perfect for the book lover you know (or just as good as a special treat for yourself!)

"Mr Men and Little Miss: Love" by Roger Hargreaves is out now, published by Egmont.

Another brilliant lovey-dovey book from Egmont now. "Love from Pooh" couples lovely little verses and prose taken from A.A. Milne's classic books, coupled with the gorgeous line art of Pooh's world from the pen of E.H. Shepard.

It's the perfect gift for Valentine's day. Wear your heart on your sleeve with this lovely gift book featuring words of love from Winnie-the-Pooh. 

It's amazing to think that two fantastic things happen on the same day every year.

International Book Giving Day and Valentine's Day coincide annually and we reckon that books make the most romantic presents to give to your loved ones.

There are, of course, as many children's books about love as there are songs about the moon (and if you get that reference, you can be in my gang) so let's have a look at a few beauties from recent years that we truly genuinely love to bits ourselves.

First is "I Love You Stick Insect" by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros. It's the adorable tale of a stick insect who seems doomed to be alone, until he meets the object of his desires.

His friends are a little embarrased though and don't want to point out the obvious - that his new lady love is, in fact, a stick.

The story hinges on the perfect awkwardness of seeing someone so blissfully happy in their ignorance that their friends don't know if it's the right thing to do - to break the spell, to tell the poor lovesick individual the truth. You know what it's like when you're the friend of someone who is so recklessly intent on their love that they do not see disaster ahead.

"I Love You Stick Insect" by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is out now, published by Bloomsbury. 

Next, a book we loved to absolute bits when we first encountered it.

"Sardines of Love" by Zurine Aguirre is a heart-meltingly beautiful story of two loved-up old folk (and that reminds me, here is the perfect example of a children's book about adults with no supporting child characters in it - AHA!)

They have their differences - in fact Grandad Lolo loves nothing better than scoffing Sardines (bleugh!)

Grandma Lola isn't quite as easily won over by these (extremely good for you but nevertheless gross) culinary delights. But when Lola decides to stock up on her hubby's favourite food on a fateful fishing trip, she goes missing.

Trapped in an Octopus's tummy, Lola soon realises that she'll starve unless she eats the one plentiful supply of food to hand. Yep, you've guessed it, sardines!

There are so many deft and wonderful little touches in this book, and it's utterly and completely romantic too.

"Sardines of Love" by  Zurine Aguirre is out now, published by Child's Play


More highly original and romantic loveliness now in "When an Elephant Falls in Love" by Davide Cali and Alice Lotti.

Ah, unrequited love. Is there any greater pain to be in as a hopelessly romantic soul? (I speak from experience - NO!)

Elephant is in love but sadly the object of his affection doesn't even know he exists, so he spends a lot of time staring at the clouds in the sky, writing terrible poetry, making sure he's clean and tidy and dressed to the nines (that all sounds horribly familiar).