Valentine for You CL

In her celebration of Valentine's Day, Watson ( The Night Before Christmas ; Father Fox's Pennyrhymes ) has rounded up a number of well- and lesser-known rhymes, ditties and songs, most of which concern love and courtship. Her cheerful, old-fashioned illustrations range from small, heart-studded borders to larger pictures showing folks preparing for the amatory holiday. Children watch their mother bake heart-shaped treats, students make Valentine cards in a classroom, partygoers sing at a festive celebration and the townspeople promenade along a street, holding hearts in their hands. Although some of the entries stray a bit far from Watson's subject (``Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?''), children will enjoy hearing these verses read aloud. A fetching gift for a young Valentine. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)