Ivy's Valentine's Day Picnic
This story currently doesn’t include illustrations. We recommend reading this story aloud to your little ones as they drift asleep, using their imaginations as they listen or turn on the audio provided! The target age group for this story is 4-8 years old, but of course no one is too old for a bedtime story! This story is intended for entertainment and imaginative enjoyment, not as an educational or factual resource.
Valentine’s wasn't usually a day of large celebration for sea creatures, although it was known for the exchange of frilly pink kelp bouquets wrapped in ribbon. However, Ivy the vampire squid had high hopes to celebrate the day with his new friends. Their friend group was made of many creatures, with Story the manta ray, Hiraya the beluga, Zeron the seal, Lumi the starfish, and Kiko the sea bunny.
All the plans were in place: a heartfelt card for each friend, shells arranged in heart shapes, an assortment of plankton and marine snow candies - everything needed for a quaint picnic party on the sea floor!
Except, Ivy had a feeling that something was missing from the picnic. He looked through his tentacles to glance at his checklist written in glittery ink.
Candies were already bought from the confectionery just down the reef. He spent all night cutting cards out of seaweed, and the event planner, Mrs. Crab, had reassured Ivy that the decorations he meticulously arranged wouldn’t be swept away by the current.
Each of Ivy’s three hearts dropped as his eyes glanced to the bottom of the list, seeing that “red algae bouquets from the end of the reef” was left unchecked.
“How could I forget the most iconic tradition? Red algae is always used on Valentine’s! ” Ivy exclaimed. All of his friends would be arriving shortly for the picnic.
“They’re going to think I didn’t care enough to arrange the friendship bouquets for them!” he cried. The renowned algae gardens grown by Mr. Codfish were all the way down the reef, so there was no way to swim there and back in time.
“Whatever shall I do!” Ivy lamented, sinking in a heap of despair.
“What’s the matter Ivy?” Story asked, having arrived early with all the friends riding on his fins.
“Oh you guys I’m terribly sorry, I forgot the bouquets! Of all things I forgot the bouquets, the picnic is practically ruined! ” Ivy sulked.
Story and friends glanced around the venue, coral lit up the area in an array of colors, reflecting off the display of shells.
“Ivy what are you talking about, the picnic looks wonderful!” Hiraya said.
“That’s right, who needs some silly bouquets?” Zoren added.
“But the bouquets… Without them the gifts I had planned simply fall short. You guys deserve the best party possible!” Ivy claimed, seeming hopeless.
“Well, if the bouquets mean that much to you, how about we all go down the reef to get some? It can be a little adventure!” Lumi the starfish chimed.
“That's a splendid idea! What do you think Ivy?” Story asked.
“I couldn’t possibly ask that of you guys…” Ivy reasoned.
“Lumi’s right, it’ll be fun! Let’s go!” Zoren exclaimed.
And so off they went, riding on Story’s fins, they followed the current down the reef in search of the algae gardens. But it was nowhere in sight!
“I could’ve sworn Mr. Codfish grew crops around here,” Story wondered.
They searched far and wide along the corals, in every nook and cranny, but the vibrant red algae couldn’t be found! After ages of searching it seemed that all hope was lost.
“Wherever could the gardens be? There’s no use, we’ve looked everywhere!” Zoren complained.
“We’re so close to finding it, we shouldn’t give up yet! It must be near…” Hiraya reasoned. “Over there! It’s Mr. Codfish!” she rejoiced.
Together they swam to greet Mr. Codfish, but were met with surprise seeing the once colorful fields barren.
“Mr. Codfish! We’ve come in hopes of some of your famous red algae for our Valentine’s bouquets?” Story explained.
“I’m quite sorry young’uns, but I’ve run all out with such high demand to make bouquets! I do hope you guys have a fun time together on this joyous day all the same,” Mr. Codfish said.
In low spirits, they swam back to the picnic spot, coming back empty-handed from their adventure.
“I’m so sorry for all of this you guys, I should’ve read my list more carefully, or arranged the bouquets in advance. I understand if you guys are disappointed,” Ivy mumbled.
“No Ivy, don’t feel sorry! Today has been fun even if it didn’t go as planned,” Hiraya comforted.
“That’s right. The real fun of Valentine’s is to celebrate our friendships, which isn’t defined by some plants,” Story agreed.
“You mean it?” Ivy asked.
“Of course! Whether you organized a whole event or not, the most important thing is to spend time together,” Zoren added, with Kiko and Lumi nodding in agreement.
The now tearing up Ivy was soon wrapped in a warm embrace of his friends. He realized that his friendships weren’t defined by some trivial occasion, rather, it was the thought and love that truly made their friendship, and Valentine’s, so special.
Credentials:
Release Date: February 14, 2026
Made By: The Ever Foundation
Writer: Aria Reynolds