How to Mend a Heart by Sara Gillingham

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

So, it's almost here.  That day of the year that we celebrate all things LOVE...Valentine's Day!  To get you in the mood, we're turning our bookish eyes to a touching Picture Book courtesy of Random House Children's Books.  It's the perfect read for the whole family this day and any day with loads of messages to bestow.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

How to Mend a Heart

by

Sara Gillingham

9780553510935

Random House Books for Young Readers

Here we have a stuffed little friend bearing the brunt of the "love" it's received from its human and critter friends.  When one is as well loved as this little guy, sometimes a little mending is in order...and other times, a complete reconstruction is the only way to go.  Does it make him any less?  Absolutely not...in fact, it makes him THAT much more special.

To put it simply, it reminds us that the heart is there to be used, and experience life with...it does no good to hide it away.  The more bumps and bruises it obtains along life's journey simply adds to its beauty and aids in bringing to light all the helping hands (and hearts!) that surround us every day.  I loved how the little friend was put to the test again and again, yet each time he was given new life from a heart that wouldn't give up on him.  The friends of all ages that were there to help in putting things back together were a nice touch as were the curious assortment of odds and ends that were needed as supplies.  Have YOU ever seen a curly ruler?  Me neither....but I bet it makes creating the trunk THAT much easier.

All in all, it's a touching story filled with smiles and tugs on the heart.  The brightly colored illustrations will appeal to little ones while the lessons to be learned are shared in their own time.  I can easily see this being a story time staple for the kiddos as well as an emergency grab for when Mr Ted E Bear needs a little "surgery", if you know what I mean.  

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Special thanks to Cassie at Random House Children's Books for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Random House Books for Young Readers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!