See a Heart, Share a Heart

Publishers Weekly

Hearts are everywhere, suggests this photographic book from Telchin, who created the Web site BoySeesHearts.com to showcase images of hearts he discovers in nature, urban areas, and in a spectrum of colors. Loose, heart-centric verse runs throughout (“Hold a heart/ Free a heart/ Find a heart”), thematically tied to the photographs. A snake, rubber band, and hose coiled into heart shapes join the words “twist a heart,” while floral hearts appear with the phrase “tend a heart.” Grainy hearts embedded in cracked sidewalks and a tiny heart-shaped discoloration on an autumn leaf might be overlooked “in the wild”: the subtlety of the images points to the value of being receptive to and perceptive of one’s environment. Ages 4–up. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Dec.)

Kirkus Reviews

After noticing a heart-shaped puddle of melted ice cream at a friend's party, Telchin began to see heart shapes everywhere and to take pictures of them with his phone. Here, he shares some of his diverse collection of photographic images of hearts. Hearts are a symbol of love. And this title seems to prove that hearts really can be found in the most unlikely places, formed by unexpected objects. Telchin has more photos on his website, boyseehearts.com, and invites others to submit their own images. In this title, the text is minimal but lends an interpretative quality--sometimes helpful and sometimes not--to the heart pictures. On a page with butterfly wings creating a shadow in the shape of a heart, the text proclaims, "move a heart." A spread with "hide a heart" shows heart shapes camouflaged in what appears to be cracked paint and a lichen pattern on tree bark. Hearts abound, formed by drips of paint, cracks in pavement and holes in leaves. Some flowers, insects, plants, shells and other found objects are heart-shaped. Some images may be too abstract and confusing for young preschoolers just learning their shapes. Frankly, the conceit gets a bit dull and is unlikely to hold readers' interest for long. Stick with Tana Hoban's books on shapes found in everyday locations. While obviously a passion for the photographer, few others are likely to be charmed by this offering. (author's note, picture notes) (Picture book. 3-6)