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Little Hearts: Finding Hearts in Nature
The world is full of little hearts.
Each one a sign of love.
Some are found upon the ground.
Some are up above.
Join a group of animal friends as they explore and discover the many "little hearts" that are found in nature. This gentle introduction to the world of nature for young children, written in rhyming stanzas by Charles Ghigna, is based around a theme that is sure to be popular for Valentine's Day celebrations, but also at any time of the year. It reminds us to take our time and appreciate our surroundings and the beauty of nature. Accompanied by Jacqueline East's charming illustrations, this book is a perfect way to inspire curiosity and foster an early appreciation of our natural world.
Each one a sign of love.
Some are found upon the ground.
Some are up above.
Join a group of animal friends as they explore and discover the many "little hearts" that are found in nature. This gentle introduction to the world of nature for young children, written in rhyming stanzas by Charles Ghigna, is based around a theme that is sure to be popular for Valentine's Day celebrations, but also at any time of the year. It reminds us to take our time and appreciate our surroundings and the beauty of nature. Accompanied by Jacqueline East's charming illustrations, this book is a perfect way to inspire curiosity and foster an early appreciation of our natural world.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2022
27 people want to read
About the author
Charles Ghigna
154 books48 followersCharles Ghigna - Father Goose® lives in a treehouse in the middle of Alabama. He is the author of more than 100 books from Random House, Disney, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Time Inc. and other publishers. He has written more than 5,000 poems for children and adults that have appeared in anthologies, newspapers and magazines ranging from The New Yorker and Harper’s to Highlights and Cricket magazines. He served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, instructor of creative writing at Samford University, poetry editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English, and as a nationally syndicated poetry feature writer for Tribune Media Services. He speaks at schools, conferences, libraries, and literary events throughout the U.S. and overseas, and has read his poems at The Library of Congress, The John F. Kennedy Center, American Library in Paris, American School in Paris, and the International Schools of South America. For more information, visit his website at FatherGoose.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 2, 2023
Softly-colored watercolor (I think) or could-be-digital illustrations in this picture book [3.5 for me] complement gentle text that encourages young readers to pay attention to the world around them. Four animal friends spend time together, and as they explore the natural world, they realize that there are many heart-shaped objects in nature, including rocks, seashells, redbud leaves, and even rose petals. As the friends become even more mindful of heart shapes, they seem to find more and more of them--in a cloud, part of a spider web ["A little heart of lace" (unpaged)], strawberries, an apple core, a cracked-open walnut, a ladybug, nuzzling swans, four-leaf clovers, and even butterflies who "fly away on wings of love. / Each one a little heart" (unpaged). This visually appealing picture book contains elegant, poetic words and descriptions, deceptively simple, but oh, so meaningful. Clearly, Father Goose has a knack for noticing details that others miss. If this book doesn't put readers in the mood for love of all sorts, nothing will. The expressive faces of the animal friends and the sense of delight and wonder they exude over their discoveries lends a childlike joy and innocence to the lines. The fox is especially appealing. This one would be a good choice before leading youngsters on a nature walk so that they are reminded to pay attention to what's around them and look below the surface.
April 9, 2023
The animals wander through the country, looking for things in nature that look like a heart. Flower petals look like little hearts. Strawberries, the inside of an apple, a spider web, or a bird's wings can look like a heart. Some clouds look like a heart shape. Each one is a treasure that the friends discover together.
This is such a sweet book! The animal friends are so adorable and cute! I enjoyed reading the text of this book out loud. It is poetry with good rhymes and a nice lilting rhythm. The simple writing has a soothing quality to it.
I love the beautiful illustrations and all the little details in the background of each scene. The countryside is so lovely and refreshing. Every page is full of pretty colors and cute characters!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This is such a sweet book! The animal friends are so adorable and cute! I enjoyed reading the text of this book out loud. It is poetry with good rhymes and a nice lilting rhythm. The simple writing has a soothing quality to it.
I love the beautiful illustrations and all the little details in the background of each scene. The countryside is so lovely and refreshing. Every page is full of pretty colors and cute characters!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
October 21, 2022
An absolutely adorable tale about the love that can be found... everywhere!
This is a great children’s book for your young reader. The illustrations are so very cute. I am rather in love with the fox!
The story is lighthearted and great for a bedtime reading. It tells of love, and hearts, found in nature and all around us. What a great way to teach mindful awareness to our very early readers.
After ready this book I felt the weight on my shoulders get lighter and my heard was lifted.
This would also make a great holiday gift for beginning readers.
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Red Comet Press.
This is a great children’s book for your young reader. The illustrations are so very cute. I am rather in love with the fox!
The story is lighthearted and great for a bedtime reading. It tells of love, and hearts, found in nature and all around us. What a great way to teach mindful awareness to our very early readers.
After ready this book I felt the weight on my shoulders get lighter and my heard was lifted.
This would also make a great holiday gift for beginning readers.
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Red Comet Press.
February 4, 2023
“The world is full of little hearts. Each one a sign of love. Some are found upon the ground. Some are up above.”
This opening stanza from LITTLE HEARTS by Charles Ghigna sets forth the gentle tone and thoughtful mood for the delightful story that follows four adorable animal friends in their exploration of nature. A map on the end paper at the back of the book conveniently maps their day-long trek through varied environments from Sand Bay to Clover Corner.
The rhyming stanzas invite readers to join the young adventurers as they attempt to find and identify as many hearts as possible. And the opportunities are many—from Redbud Hill to Emma’s orchard, Blue Hills to Swan Lake and a myriad of localities in between.
The pastel water color illustrations by Jacqueline East are an inspired reflection of the text. Some of the hearts are clearly evident like the seashells or clouds—perfect for very young observers to find. Others are subtle—a heart created out the paired images of a rock and its reflection in a puddle or the tiny wings of bees—to encourage readers to take their time and truly see all the varied elements on the page. East’s imaginative eye for shapes found in the variety of nature’s offerings will have readers discovering new depths with each reading.
The lilting rhythm and melodic voice of LITTLE HEARTS makes for easy listening and enhances its appeal as a read aloud story for youngsters from 3-6.
I can easily imagine a story time followed by a nature walk where the listeners are encouraged to indulge their curiosity, discover their own “little hearts” and learn to marvel at the amazing natural world that surrounds us.
As an educator, I can envision a simple map that we follow and then mark with our various “discoveries” at the end of our journey.
Highly Recommended for home and school libraries.
This opening stanza from LITTLE HEARTS by Charles Ghigna sets forth the gentle tone and thoughtful mood for the delightful story that follows four adorable animal friends in their exploration of nature. A map on the end paper at the back of the book conveniently maps their day-long trek through varied environments from Sand Bay to Clover Corner.
The rhyming stanzas invite readers to join the young adventurers as they attempt to find and identify as many hearts as possible. And the opportunities are many—from Redbud Hill to Emma’s orchard, Blue Hills to Swan Lake and a myriad of localities in between.
The pastel water color illustrations by Jacqueline East are an inspired reflection of the text. Some of the hearts are clearly evident like the seashells or clouds—perfect for very young observers to find. Others are subtle—a heart created out the paired images of a rock and its reflection in a puddle or the tiny wings of bees—to encourage readers to take their time and truly see all the varied elements on the page. East’s imaginative eye for shapes found in the variety of nature’s offerings will have readers discovering new depths with each reading.
The lilting rhythm and melodic voice of LITTLE HEARTS makes for easy listening and enhances its appeal as a read aloud story for youngsters from 3-6.
I can easily imagine a story time followed by a nature walk where the listeners are encouraged to indulge their curiosity, discover their own “little hearts” and learn to marvel at the amazing natural world that surrounds us.
As an educator, I can envision a simple map that we follow and then mark with our various “discoveries” at the end of our journey.
Highly Recommended for home and school libraries.
November 11, 2022
The world around us is so big & is filled to the brim with so many people, places, & things. For young children, the world is even bigger, even grander, & seems an impossible place to be part of. Within this picture book, the author focuses on the imagery of hearts; little beats of warmth in everything around us.
I hold high praise for Jacqueline East as she was able to welcome the story that Ghigna wanted to tell young readers all while incorporating imagery that is tender to the touch; round shapes, soft colours, & miraculous detail in simple strokes. East has provided the ideal backdrop for this poem to take shape.
This picture book is ideal for very young readers, those who will appreciate finding hearts in everything around them. From the back of a ladybug’s wings to the joined heart shape formed by the swans in the local lake. This is the style of book that will nestle snuggly in the hearts of young readers & remain with them as they grow. I should hope that everyone is given the opportunity to find books that remind us, ever so gently, of the love & beauty around us from the first moments in this life until the last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Red Comet Press, & Charles Ghigna for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I hold high praise for Jacqueline East as she was able to welcome the story that Ghigna wanted to tell young readers all while incorporating imagery that is tender to the touch; round shapes, soft colours, & miraculous detail in simple strokes. East has provided the ideal backdrop for this poem to take shape.
This picture book is ideal for very young readers, those who will appreciate finding hearts in everything around them. From the back of a ladybug’s wings to the joined heart shape formed by the swans in the local lake. This is the style of book that will nestle snuggly in the hearts of young readers & remain with them as they grow. I should hope that everyone is given the opportunity to find books that remind us, ever so gently, of the love & beauty around us from the first moments in this life until the last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Red Comet Press, & Charles Ghigna for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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July 7, 2023See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/little...
LITTLE HEARTS is a sweet picture book poem about all the hearts that appear in nature. The story shows animal friends finding heart shapes all around them, inside apples, on leaves, and so much more. This introduces the concepts of how shapes are found everywhere and how we look for the little things amongst the larger.
What I loved: This was a sweet read that flows smoothly. The poetic text is lovely when read aloud and conveys a simple concept of finding heart shapes all around. The animals shown across each page are adorable and bring a bit of a storyline to the imagery. The book will work well for young toddlers as well as preschoolers and makes a nice bedtime story with its soft and soothing poem and gentle but detailed illustrations. The pages turn quickly with only a few lines on each.
Final verdict: LITTLE HEARTS is a sweet picture book about shapes and the magic of nature that will appeal to young readers with its lyrical writing and gentle illustrations.
LITTLE HEARTS is a sweet picture book poem about all the hearts that appear in nature. The story shows animal friends finding heart shapes all around them, inside apples, on leaves, and so much more. This introduces the concepts of how shapes are found everywhere and how we look for the little things amongst the larger.
What I loved: This was a sweet read that flows smoothly. The poetic text is lovely when read aloud and conveys a simple concept of finding heart shapes all around. The animals shown across each page are adorable and bring a bit of a storyline to the imagery. The book will work well for young toddlers as well as preschoolers and makes a nice bedtime story with its soft and soothing poem and gentle but detailed illustrations. The pages turn quickly with only a few lines on each.
Final verdict: LITTLE HEARTS is a sweet picture book about shapes and the magic of nature that will appeal to young readers with its lyrical writing and gentle illustrations.
October 4, 2022
"The world is full of little hearts.
Each one a sign of love.
Some are found upon the ground.
Some are up above."
The reader is invited to come along with an adorable group of animal friends as they put on their detective hats and discover the many shapes of little hearts that they find in nature.
Charles Ghigna, a.k.a, Father Goose, creates a window into the beauty and wonderment of the great outdoors. The book will open little minds and hearts to the art and skill of observing the shape of hearts in the natural world that surrounds them.
Written in rhyming stanzas, and visually enriched by soft gentle illustrations, this book encourages little ones to slow down and take their time as they delight in hidden heart-shaped gifts that are just waiting to be discovered.
"Little Hearts: Finding Hearts in Nature" would be fantastic to share for Valentine's Day or any day! I love the book and highly recommend it.
Each one a sign of love.
Some are found upon the ground.
Some are up above."
The reader is invited to come along with an adorable group of animal friends as they put on their detective hats and discover the many shapes of little hearts that they find in nature.
Charles Ghigna, a.k.a, Father Goose, creates a window into the beauty and wonderment of the great outdoors. The book will open little minds and hearts to the art and skill of observing the shape of hearts in the natural world that surrounds them.
Written in rhyming stanzas, and visually enriched by soft gentle illustrations, this book encourages little ones to slow down and take their time as they delight in hidden heart-shaped gifts that are just waiting to be discovered.
"Little Hearts: Finding Hearts in Nature" would be fantastic to share for Valentine's Day or any day! I love the book and highly recommend it.
September 22, 2022
Little Hearts
4.5 Stars
What a heartwarming little book and uplifting read. This book teaches a great message: love is all around you. I couldn't help but love the bright and cheerful illustrations. I can easily imagine young children looking for hearts on the pages to help their fuzzy book friends. Children will enjoy the rhyming text and exploring their environment for little hearts.
Overall, Little Hearts is a pretty good book. What makes this book shine, for me, is you could turn this into an exploratory activity. I'm always looking for ways to keep my kids moving and engaging in multi-sensory activities. Thanks, Net Galley and Red Comet Press, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5 Stars
What a heartwarming little book and uplifting read. This book teaches a great message: love is all around you. I couldn't help but love the bright and cheerful illustrations. I can easily imagine young children looking for hearts on the pages to help their fuzzy book friends. Children will enjoy the rhyming text and exploring their environment for little hearts.
Overall, Little Hearts is a pretty good book. What makes this book shine, for me, is you could turn this into an exploratory activity. I'm always looking for ways to keep my kids moving and engaging in multi-sensory activities. Thanks, Net Galley and Red Comet Press, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 21, 2022
A quartet of adorable animals goes searching for hearts that can be found in nature. Some are rather obvious; others hide in unexpected places - like inside apples. The rhyming text would make a great read-aloud, though the real charm of this book owes much to the sweet illustrations by Jacqueline East.
Hunting for hearts would make a great activity for the next nature walk you take with your little ones.
A hearty thanks to NetGalley and Red Comet Press for sharing this one.
Hunting for hearts would make a great activity for the next nature walk you take with your little ones.
A hearty thanks to NetGalley and Red Comet Press for sharing this one.
November 30, 2022
While a small child might not understand the significance we adults often give to the symbol of a heart, I love the idea of making a game out of finding this imagery everywhere in daily life. The hearts can give reassurance to a child, that we can always find these signs of love in the world, because they're literally everywhere. We just have to be open to seeing them and embracing their significance.
The illustrations of the adorable woodland creatures are what really make this book so enjoyable. This is one you could read ten times in a row -- as we're often asked to do, "again!" -- and always find another heart you hadn't noticed before. And of course, this heart hunt might just inspire nature walks, which any grandparent or parent would be thrilled to make happen.
The illustrations of the adorable woodland creatures are what really make this book so enjoyable. This is one you could read ten times in a row -- as we're often asked to do, "again!" -- and always find another heart you hadn't noticed before. And of course, this heart hunt might just inspire nature walks, which any grandparent or parent would be thrilled to make happen.
March 6, 2023
LITTLE HEARTS: FINDING HEARTS IN NATURE teaches children to be observant of their surroundings because you never know what you're going to find. The shape of a heart can be found in many things like leaves and clovers. They can be found both up and down as long as you're looking.
LITTLE HEARTS: FINDING HEARTS IN NATURE is heartwarming and just screams love from every page. There's so many wonderful and beautiful things in nature and this story encourages children to look for them. I love how stinking adorable the illustrations are and how the main characters are the cutest animals.
Final Verdict: Overall, this is a sweet read that my daughter and I enjoyed together. It makes for a good Valentine's Day gift or for children who love animals and nature.
LITTLE HEARTS: FINDING HEARTS IN NATURE is heartwarming and just screams love from every page. There's so many wonderful and beautiful things in nature and this story encourages children to look for them. I love how stinking adorable the illustrations are and how the main characters are the cutest animals.
Final Verdict: Overall, this is a sweet read that my daughter and I enjoyed together. It makes for a good Valentine's Day gift or for children who love animals and nature.
November 13, 2022
Such a charming introduction to nature for little ones. These four woodland friends go on a nature walk searching for little hearts that are found naturally in nature. It is a great primer for an activity that can be done in the real world. The poem by Charles Ghigna hits the just right note and the illustrations by Jaqueline East are enchanting. This book will be perfect for pre-nature walk readings or right before bedtime. I love the final spread with all the butterflies! It will, of course make for a wonderful Valentine's Day read too. I'm sure we are all going to be spotting hearts in nature from now on!
September 19, 2022
I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This picture book is appropriate for very young kids, and might particularly interest those little ones who are learning their shapes. The art is engaging and the rhymes are short and sweet. The map of the area of exploration that can be found inside the covers is a great touch. While it's definitely not exactly the same, the art and story brought to mind Guess How Much I Love You for me.
This picture book is appropriate for very young kids, and might particularly interest those little ones who are learning their shapes. The art is engaging and the rhymes are short and sweet. The map of the area of exploration that can be found inside the covers is a great touch. While it's definitely not exactly the same, the art and story brought to mind Guess How Much I Love You for me.
September 22, 2022
This is a book that explores all of the heart shaped things we can find within nature. From leaves and petals, to stones and apples, little hearts can be found in so many more places than one would think.
I did enjoy the illustration style of this book, and the language is simple enough for younger readers. The overall rhythm of the words also make it quite fun to read aloud. Although I would say that there were a couple of times where the rhythm pattern did struggle quire a bit.
I did enjoy the illustration style of this book, and the language is simple enough for younger readers. The overall rhythm of the words also make it quite fun to read aloud. Although I would say that there were a couple of times where the rhythm pattern did struggle quire a bit.
October 12, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Red Comet Press through NetGalley.
Join these four animal friends as they explore the area around their home. Each finds hearts in unusual places and shares with their friends. Readers, too, can search for hearts on each page. The text offers ideas of where to find them. As the story unfolds, the joy and love of nature clearly comes through. A family could read this together and go on a heart search of their own.
Join these four animal friends as they explore the area around their home. Each finds hearts in unusual places and shares with their friends. Readers, too, can search for hearts on each page. The text offers ideas of where to find them. As the story unfolds, the joy and love of nature clearly comes through. A family could read this together and go on a heart search of their own.
January 4, 2023
Simply, soft, cute. A group of animals look for heart shapes in nature. Leaves, petals, seashells, and even a spiderweb!
Now, my kid is a big fan of seek-and-find type books, so she was quite pleased with this one. I think it could also be a good starting place for having your kids look for all kinds of shapes in nature. Either go on a walk and ask them to find a shape, or find something in the natural world and ask what shape it is.
A good pick from your public library!
Now, my kid is a big fan of seek-and-find type books, so she was quite pleased with this one. I think it could also be a good starting place for having your kids look for all kinds of shapes in nature. Either go on a walk and ask them to find a shape, or find something in the natural world and ask what shape it is.
A good pick from your public library!
Read
June 10, 2023How beautiful of a book to encourage seeing things beyond whats right in front of you. See to life's little messages all around you to collect and cherish. I have thought myself what a wonderful place of art nature gives to us on the daily, and how often in changes and ones perspective can shift along with it.
I love how this can open the eyes of little ones to see things in a little different light, and see past the normal.
Beautiful!!!
Thank you.
I love how this can open the eyes of little ones to see things in a little different light, and see past the normal.
Beautiful!!!
Thank you.
Read
October 9, 2023Four adorable friends are on a quest to find heart shapes in nature, such as two parrots touching their heads together, or each petal of a rose. But what is even more enchanting than these cute critters is the lyrical rhyme accompanies them; such as, "The busy spider spins her web. She keeps a steady pace. She weaves a silky gift of love -A little heart of lace." A superb title to have out during Valentines Day!
October 20, 2022
What a sweet book with beautiful illustrations! A wonderful read for ages 1-5. The story of some animal friends finding heart shapes in nature.
I read this with my four year old who loved the story and looking for the heart shapes on every page. A great gift for a young child with engaging illustrations and lovely rhymes.
I read this with my four year old who loved the story and looking for the heart shapes on every page. A great gift for a young child with engaging illustrations and lovely rhymes.
June 2, 2022
The cutest book ever!! Such a sweet message about love and the different and many ways we see and show love around the world! The illustrations are adorable to match the story and my young reader loves it!
September 22, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Red Comet Press for a free digital copy.
A very cute little book about the shape of a heart appearing everywhere in nature. Has a sweet rhyming rhythm and has beautiful illustrations.
A very cute little book about the shape of a heart appearing everywhere in nature. Has a sweet rhyming rhythm and has beautiful illustrations.
August 31, 2023
A gentle, joyful introduction to the world of nature for young children featuring four adorable animal friends exploring nature rendered in charming pastel watercolor illustrations by Jacqueline East.
November 14, 2022
Adorable concept and whimsical illustrations make this a fun read. Very uplifting story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 10, 2022
Sweet little book about finding hearts in nature - sea shells, leaves etc
December 13, 2022
It was cute. Illustrations were very nice as well.
January 10, 2023
Cute!
This book doubles as a sweet story with a sing-songy rhyme and a seek-and-find, with little hearts hidden throughout.
This would be great for a Valentine's Day storytime.
This book doubles as a sweet story with a sing-songy rhyme and a seek-and-find, with little hearts hidden throughout.
This would be great for a Valentine's Day storytime.
February 20, 2023
In time for Valentine's day, this book follows different animal creatures as they find naturally occurring hearts, whether on the inside of an apple or a cover or in the wings of butterflies.
March 6, 2023
Shapes or Love storytime read aloud
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March 20, 2023a sweet nature hunt for hearts
March 30, 2023
Finding hearts in nature and celebrating the discovery is a delightful picture book. I very much enjoyed the rhyme and lovely illustrations..a hopeful, and joyful story and perfect for a read-aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews