The children's Valentine's Day picture book Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch wonderfully illustrates the power of love and would make an excellent Valentine's Day gift for a four to eight year old child. The author is Eileen Spinelli, who has written more than 20 children's books. The illustrations are by Paul Yalowitz. His whimsical, textured artwork is, according to the publisher, "...first drawn with ebony pencil on bristol plate paper and then colored over with Derwent color pencils."
Mr. Hatch and His Lonely Life
The main character in the picture book is a very lonely man, Mr. Hatch. The story begins with a description of Mr. Hatch's lonely daily life. He lives alone, barely knows or talks to anyone, works all day in a shoelace factory, buys a fresh turkey wing for supper each day, eats, takes a shower, and goes to bed. In his neighborhood and at work people say the same thing about Mr. Hatch, "He keeps to himself." Mr. Hatch's loneliness is illustrated with drab colors and by the way in which the artist depicts him: shoulders slumped, head down, manner subdued.
A Big Change for Mr. Hatch
All of this changes when the postman brings Mr. Hatch a huge, heart shaped box of chocolates along with a card that says, "Somebody loves you." Mr. Hatch is so happy he does a little dance. Because he thinks he might meet his secret admirer, Mr. Hatch puts on a colorful tie and some old aftershave. He takes the box of chocolates to work to share.
He even talks to Mr. Smith at his newspaper stand, notices he looks sick, and offers to watch the newsstand while Mr. Smith goes to the doctor's office. Mr. Hatch continues to talk to others, to help those in need, and to share with his neighbors.
In fact, Mr. Hatch bakes brownies and holds an impromptu picnic for his neighbors at which he plays his old harmonica for them. His neighbors enjoy being with Mr. Hatch and like him very much. The more Mr. Hatch is friendly and kind to his neighbors, the more they reciprocate.
When the postman tells Mr. Hatch that the candy had been delivered to his house by mistake and that he doesn't have a secret admirer, Mr. Hatch becomes withdrawn again. The postman tells the neighbors what has happened. The neighbors get together and throw a big surprise party for Mr. Hatch, complete with candy, a new harmonica, and a big sign that said, "Everybody loves Mr. Hatch."
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch: The Power of Love and Kindness
This is a charming book with a powerful message. The importance of love and kindness comes through loud and clear. Even very young children will understand how good it is to feel loved and how important it is to help others feel loved. While this is an excellent Valentine's Day book, the story is one children will enjoy year round.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch was first published in hardcover by Simon & Schuster in 1991 (compare prices). It was published in paperback by Simon & Schuster's Aladdin imprint in 1995 (compare prices).
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