Warm, whimsical, and full of hope.
Wise-Heart lives in the gorgeous Land of Many Hearts, but his friend has a problem. Sick-Heart needs help and only the King-of-Hearts can heal him. So off they go, headed to the faraway Great City. The pair come across other ailing hearts along the way, each with a different persona, mood, or challenge. First is Broken-Heart, a special heart in distress, then Weeping-Heart, a heart filled with tears and sadness. Confident the King can help, Sick-Heart encourages them to seek out the King. Filled with hope, the hearts press on, but not before they run into trouble. Before they reach the town’s gate, the tender hearts are stopped by some unkind hearts, those who are out to hurt others. Wicked-Heart, Heartless-Heart, Deceitful-Heart, and other bullies block the way. But Wise-Heart has other friends, friends who are willing to stand up to the bullies and defend the wounded hearts. The only solution is to let the King-of-Hearts sort everything out among them, so they forge ahead together, meeting more vibrant characters along the way. When they finally come before the loving King, each hurting heart can choose for themselves to be healed and gain the joy bestowed by him. With such a wonderful gift, the gift of love, the hearts become the best versions of themselves, whole at last.
Warm, whimsical, and full of hope, The Land of Hearts helps kids examine many of the different emotional spaces they might find themselves in, as well as several detrimental personalities they will come in contact with. Children face monumental challenges, and this powerful allegorical tale provides a way to deal with trials through hope and love, no matter their age. The illustrations are sweet and comforting, helping children connect to the characters with just a glance. A favorite character, Fearful Heart, is so cute and so vulnerable as he hides behind some bushes near the gate that you’ll want to grab that little one and hug away his fears. Even the most wayward of hearts, like Wicked and Deceitful, are adorable to look at, especially after they’ve been moved by the power of love. There is a wonderful sense of relief at the end, contributing to the positive and uplifting tone of this beautiful story. The Land of Hearts is a welcoming and sincere book that will touch young hearts and foster open communication.
