Alphabet by Heart

June 3, 2024
In a colorful ABC homage to the power of kind words, husband and wife team Jeanne Shriver and Mark Shriver (authors of Pairs of People) teach young readers the English alphabet by sharing uplifting messages for each letter. The advice includes standouts like empathy for the letter “E”, to “ others they are never alone,” letter “O” offering to lend a helping hand, and letter “R” teaching how to “respect creatures big and small.” Aside from the meaningful guidance accompanying each letter, the authors emphasize that “words have the power to bring good or bad, to make us happy or make us sad.”
Laura Watson’s bright, cheerful illustrations bolster an already sunny message that will give children, and their adult readers, much to discuss. Whether it’s practicing gratitude (playfully described as “happiness stirring about”), inviting others to participate in fun activities, or basking in the love from family pets, the authors encourage celebrating the world around us. In keeping with that theme, Watson’s graphics showcase a pleasing range of diverse characters, including young children in wheelchairs enjoying the same activities as their peers.
Perhaps most significant are the relatable situations the authors highlight throughout: building long-lasting friendships is challenging but rewarding, sharing can be hard to do, dreams should never be stifled, and everyone has a bad day once in a while. “E” here is for “empathy,” a vital trait whose meaning is driven home by the art: a young girl applying a bandage to a friend’s minor boo-boo. There’s laughs, too, as the authors incorporate childhood humor that resonates—like the dinosaur museum display that demonstrates how to use polite manners in a public setting, or the stuffed animal reading its very own book. Above all, the upbeat tone makes this the perfect way to teach youngsters their letters, and the book’s message is clear from the start: “speak from the heart,” and everything else will fall into place.
Takeaway: Cheery ABC book that teaches important life lessons.
Comparable Titles: Andrew Zuckerman’s Creature ABC, Sandra Boynton’s A is for Angry.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

July 1, 2024
Jeanne Shriver and Mark K. Shriver's alphabet book aims to inspire young children with a story about emotional intelligence and inclusivity. With simple rhymes, the authors use the alphabet to encourage children to consider how the letters can form powerful words, such as empathy ("Empathy tells others / they are never alone. / Imagine their feelings, / and make them your own"), care, understand, and trust; it's a structure that gives the 26 letters a deeper meaning. Although similar ABC books exist, the sincerity of this book's text is deeply felt as it suggests that the most profound learning happens in the heart. It also serves as a reminder to parents and children alike that what matters most is how kind one is to other people. Watson's colorful cartoon illustrations depict diverse characters with various skin tones and abilities. Multigenerational portrayals give voice to adult caregivers who may read this book aloud to little ones. The tone is light, vibrant, warm. and optimistic, and the book would be a great read for children between the ages of 2 and 6 who are just beginning to navigate the social landscape. A sweet picture book that values social growth as much as academic learning. (2-6)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)