Ned Bustard, author and illustrator of Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver and Saint Patrick the Forgiver, will release his third saint book with IVP Kids on January 16. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Bustard’s latest book is titled Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant.

“It’s been such a joy to work with Ned on these books about saints because he does a terrific job of blending enough history and theology with just the right amount of whimsy and delight,” said IVP Kids editor Elissa Schauer. “The addition of his stellar illustrations—a unique style that perfectly suits the genre—creates a winning combination!” 

Bustard’s first picture books in the series, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver and Saint Patrick the Forgiver, were both honored with Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. With their success came requests for a third saint book, and Bustard obliged. Told as a charming poem, Saint Valentine the Kindhearted is the story of the real Saint Valentine, a man whose love and kindness inspired the traditions behind Valentine’s Day. All of the saint books are written in rhyme and illustrated with Bustard’s signature linocut artwork.

”It is clear what the ‘big idea’ is from the title of each book—Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, Saint Valentine the Kindhearted. So generosity, forgiveness, and kindness are the takeaways,” Bustard said. “But with this new book I have another idea I’d like to communicate, which is that love is not just romance. We are all to be loving, and that love can be of different types—it doesn’t only have to be romantic. Throughout my book I demonstrate the four loves through the life of Valentine: storge—natural love/affection; philia—true-blue friendship; eros—romantic love; and agape—pure, unconditional/divine love. When the story is focusing on each one of the loves, I put colored hearts into the illustrations. For natural love, the hearts are green; for friendship, the hearts are blue; for romantic love, the hearts are red; and for the love of God, the hearts are white!”

Bustard is a graphic designer, a children’s book illustrator, an author, and a printmaker. As the creative director for Square Halo Books Inc. and curator of the Square Halo Gallery, he has lectured at colleges, schools, churches, and conferences. His work is found in numerous titles including The O in Hope, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups, and Every Moment Holy. He lives with his family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

Through story and illustration, books from IVP Kids engage, challenge, and delight IVP’s young readers. And in keeping with IVP’s historic mission, IVP Kids offers resources that reflect and celebrate diverse voices, equipping and encouraging children to follow Jesus in every area of their lives. Visit ivpkids.com to see a complete list of IVP’s children’s books.