The Valentine Box

by Maud Hart Lovelace

Janice started out for school on a snowy Valentine's Day with a lump in her throat. It was always hard to be a shy new girl, but today it was especially hard for Janice, because the fifth grade was having its Valentine party.
What if there were no valentines for her in the big red Valentine Box? She had pasted and colored valentines for boys and girls in her class, and she hoped they would become her friends, but she hadn't made any real friends yet. Janice wished she could stay home, but of course she couldn't. Then, on the way to school, trudging through the snow, she had an adventure.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Maud Hart Lovelace was born on April 25, 1892, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was the middle of three children born to Thomas and Stella (Palmer) Hart. Her sister, Kathleen, was three years older, and her other sister, Helen, was six years younger. “That dear family" was the model for the fictional Ray family.

Maud’s birthplace was a small house on a hilly residential street several blocks above Mankato’s center business district. The street, Center Street, dead-ended at one of the town’s many hills. When Maud was a few months old, the Hart family moved two blocks up the street to 333 Center.

Shortly before Maud’s fifth birthday a “large merry Irish family" moved into the house directly across the street. Among its many children was a girl Maud’s age, Frances, nicknamed Bick, who was to be Maud’s best friend and the model for Tacy Kelly.

Tib’s character was based on another playmate, Marjorie (Midge) Gerlach, who lived nearby in a large house designed by her architect father. Maud, Bick, and Midge became lifelong friends. Maud once stated that the three couldn’t have been closer if they’d been sisters.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a totally sweet book for young children. Janice is the new girl in school and is worried that she won't receive any valentines at the classroom's exchange. It's interesting to note that the book was written in 1966 and the illustrations show Janice to be an African-American child, apparently the only one in the class. But that aspect of the story is not stated, just implied. It's a sweet little story for the 6-9 crowd, although younger kids will enjoy it, too.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little known book by Maud Hart Lovelace. Her fans will recognize bits and piecess from her Betsy-Tacy stories in this Valentines themed story about shy new girl Janice her outgoing classmate Margaret.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always tried to read all of Maud Hart Lovelace that I can. I was hoping this one would be a little more to it, like her “The Tune is in the Trees”, but it’s a very sweet story.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There really isn't much to this Valentine's Day-themed friendship story about two fifth-grade girls, one black and new in town (Janice), and one white, and very popular (Margaret). The text makes no mention at all of the racial differences between the two girls, despite the fact that the illustrations suggest that Janice is the only black child in her class, and possibly in her town. The fear of not receiving Valentines is relatable, but probably outdated. When I was a kid, we were required to bring Valentines for every classmate, and now I'm not even sure schools celebrate Valentine's Day. I read this aloud to my four-year-old, and she was attentive and definitely understood what was happening, but it didn't thrill her. It's just a generic story, lacking the distinctive qualities that made the author's Betsy-Tacy books so wonderful, and only interesting at all because of its connection to a holiday.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janice is nervous about the Valentine's Party at school. She's new. Doesn't know anybody. And is sure she won't have any valentines to open. But she's in for a sweet surprise in an unexpected and utterly endearing way.

Ages: 5 - 10

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Sharla Scannell Whalen's The Betsy-Tacy Companion I discovered Maud Hart Lovelace and her husband Delos' passion for civil rights. “It’s sad how seldom a Negro child can find a book with Negroes in the illustrations. He shouldn’t always have to read about white children. I found a short story of my own [The Valentine Box] which seemed to lend itself to this kind of treatment. Only the illustrations will show that the heroine is a Negro. I loved doing it.” And I loved reading it! "The important thing was getting valentines from friends who really liked you." And Janice receives a valentine from her Snowstorm Valentine that communicates a universal message of acceptance that transcends place and time.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't really one of the beloved tomes, but Maud did write it. It was a little too Dick and Janey. But the idea was sweet!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every once in a while, I'll check out books from older authors. It helps to keep them in circulation. I was disappointed to find that one I'd read by this same author several years ago was pulled from circulation. It had been in storage and had to be retrieved for me to check out.

This is a sweet tale of new friendship after a move, told with a Valentine's Day theme. There is an Black main character and the story shows inclusivity, which is surprising considering the time in which it was written (published in 1966). I imagine that view could have been shaped by the author living in California where there were consistently more inclusive attitudes towards differing races.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Significant for the representation of Janice (who I can only assume is the only African American child in the class if not the school) in 1966. Race is never acknowledged or mentioned but it is still an important representation. Sweet, gentle story.

Maud Hart Lovelace was of the Betsy-Tacy books fame which I have never read.

[Eliza Haentzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I read this book at 10 and didn't really enjoy it. It's more or kids ages 5-8. Still a good book. Super safe. nothing you should be worried about.

[Nd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little, short little children's book about being a new child in a new school in a new town.

[Jenni Heins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maud's last book. A sweet story and her contribution to the civil rights movement.

[Arline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I acquired this book from a listmember on Maud-L. It is such a sweet story. The illustrations were done by Ingrid Fetz. There is a blurb about her in the back of the book.

When I was in elementary school in San Francisco, we always decorated a box for Valentine's Day. Most of our cards were homemade and we brought one for each class member. I wish I had saved them!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book that still has some appeal, as the worry of the new kid at school is a feeling that is still felt today. However some of the things are very different, but it is still a sweet little story

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

CUTE