Little Hearts: Finding Hearts in Nature

Over a hill and through a rose lane, a strawberry field, a marsh meadow, and a bushy vale are just a few of the places a group of sweet-faced, dot-eyed animal friends spot natural cordiform-shaped marvels in this appreciation of the great outdoors. After a map opens, readers are invited to join the critters’ nature walk—and perhaps undertake one of their own—with the beginning words: “The world is full of little hearts./ Each one a sign of love.// Some are found upon the ground./ Some are up above.” In a series of brief rhyming lines that sustain an air of wonder, Ghigna describes the animals’ exploration of their surroundings, high and low: “See the swans out on the lake/ Swimming in the sun.// Two of them together make/ A little heart of one.” Strawberries, a ladybug, a four-leaf clover, and “a sweet bouquet of butterflies” appear as appropriately shaped treasures discovered in East’s pastel, softly sunlit paintings. It’s a shape-centric wander with hearts at its heart. Ages 3–6. (Nov.)