Days for remembrance help us pause from our hectic lives, don’t they? They help us gain perspective – to honor those who have gone before us and those who journey with us every day. I’ve always seen Valentine’s Day as a chance to remind others how much we love them. And understanding our history, both the good and bad, honors the struggles and triumphs that have impacted our lives. I hope this selection of books will inspire, inform, and…transform… Happy Valentine’s Day!!
SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH
by Eileen Spinelli / illus. by Paul Yalowitz
Sometimes the smallest gesture can start the biggest ripples in the world. Even a smile. Or especially a smile. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought to share one of my favorite picture books that illustrates this so well. Mr. Hatch lives a solitary, humdrum life. Every day is relatively the same. But one day, he receives a box of chocolates from a secret admirer. Someone SEES him? It changes everything! It turns his life upside down in a wonderful way and he’s out and about making friends and doing friendly things…until he finds out something that causes him to retreat to the humdrum life he lived before the box of chocolates. Fortunately, the transforming power of love has already created waves and the story does not end there. You’ll just have to read it to find out what happens next!
For a great lead aloud, check out the StorylineOnline read by actor Hector Elizondo: https://youtu.be/AGAS_Aj85cA
THOSE SHOES
by Maribeth Boelts / illus. by Noah Z. Jones
Have you ever wanted the latest trendiest “something” that everyone seems to have but you? It’s a timeless, universal experience, isn’t it? That’s why I love this picture book by Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Noah Z. Jones. It exquisitely captures the “ups and downs and arounds” of wanting something just out of reach…only to find that lasting joy is found more in “the giving” than “the getting”. Jeremy wants “those shoes”. More and more boys come to school wearing them and showing them off. But Jeremy has to pick out an old pair from the school hand-me-down box. When his Grandma takes him shopping at used clothing shops, Jeremy keeps an eye out for “those shoes”. And he finds a pair! Only…they’re too small. However, he’s determined to make them work so he tells his grandma they fit just fine. He wears them to school, but soon learns it’s hard to wear a pair of too-small shoes. Then an idea occurs to him. And it’s much better than trying to wear “those shoes”! You’ll have to read the book to find out what Jeremy does next…
STELLA BY STARLIGHT
by Sharon M. Draper
It’s been a few years since I read this amazing middle grade historical fiction novel by Sharon M. Draper, but the strong characters and message of love still stick with me. Draper writes with such compassion and wisdom you can’t help but walk away changed for the better. Her knowledge of the region and time period shines through vivid descriptions, and her pacing and character arcs grip you until the end. Set during the Depression in North Carolina, the story follows Stella, a young African American girl with dreams of becoming a writer. But the Ku Klux Klan has reared its ugly head in her town and Stella must stand with her community to confront this darkness. Stella’s determination to act with love in spite of the prejudice shown toward her is a poignant illustration of Dr. King’s message: “Only love can drive out hate.” Thanks for an incredible story, Sharon…
PS Incidentally, STELLA BY STARLIGHT is also the title of a famous jazz standard. I like the Ella Fitzgerald version… 😊
TICKTOCK BANNEKER’S CLOCK
by Shana Keller / illus. by David C. Gardner
Benjamin Banneker (1731 – 1806) led a very unusual life for his time period. He was born a free African American who never lived as a slave. He was a landowner and a respected mathematician, inventor, naturalist, astronomer, and author…and I’m probably missing some other interests! As you can see, he was a man who loved to explore. He also corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on issues of slavery and was praised by abolitionists of the era.
This stunningly-illustrated picture book focuses on one of Banneker’s machine explorations. Fascinated by the inner workings of a pocket watch, Banneker studied the parts and devised a way to build a strike clock…out of wood! After carving the tiny pieces and putting them all together, people came to see it for themselves. Thanks to Shana Keller and David C. Gardner, now many more will experience a glimpse of this incredible invention.