FARMINGTON – Families looking for a special Valentine can find a literary one at more than 40 independent bookstores throughout New England.

Locally, Devaney Doak and Garrett Bookseller’s will host nationally known children’s books authors Cynthia Lord and Lea Waite, who will sign books and greet families from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the bookstore on Broadway.

Lord is the author of the Newberry Honor Award winning, “Rules.” Waite is the author of several outstanding historical novels set in Maine. Her most recent book is titled, “The Finest Kind.”

As part of a new tradition called Kids Heart Authors Day, more than 120 authors and illustrators of books for kids and teens will sign literary Valentines and talk about the work they do and answer questions about writing and drawing.

The day was established by the New England Children’s Booksellers Association of which Kenny Brechner of DDG serves as co-chairman.

“One nice thing about hard economic times is that it makes people reflect upon the importance of community, and this event is an appropriate and meaningful vehicle for strengthening our community of New England authors and independent booksellers,” Brechner said.

For more information about the day, call 778-3435 or visit the “The DDG Event Page” at www.ddgbooks.com