Hope Is An Open Heart [Hardcover]

Lauren Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Uplifting text by NYT bestselling author Lauren Thompson, paired with inspiring photographs from around the world, offers a timeless message of hope.

We've all had days when hope feels far away, when the world seems cold and dark. Thankfully, comfort can come to us in many ways, as it does in this very special book.

Lauren Thompson's luminous text, paired with breathtaking photographs from around the world, provides an uplifting introduction to the meaning of hope. Speaking to people of all ages, across all cultures, these words and images celebrate loving families, caring friends, small kindnesses, and great inner strength. Through this book, we can see hope reach around the world, and feel its power to change us all.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—This is an attractive book with possibilities for productive discussion if presented by a sensitive and intuitive adult. The text consists of a simple sentence per spread, with "hope" in large font and a color that correlates to a color in the photograph, an effective technique for tying the two together. This is followed by a philosophical definition with a key word or two in bold type. Some of the definitions may prove confusing to children—"Hope is sad tears flowing, making room for joy"—if encountered in isolation, but could enlarge their understanding if an opportunity for reflection were provided. A clear and vivid color photograph accompanies each spread. An author's note explains Thompson's impetus and motivation, but, more importantly, the circumstances experienced by some of the subjects, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami. This is a useful book for children who have endured or are learning about some of the disasters that have rocked the world recently.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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From Booklist

Hope, a word that sustains and comforts people everywhere, is attractively introduced to young children through simple phrases and page-filling photographs. “Sometimes hope feels far away. But hope is always there,” the book begins as a child looks through a rain-spattered window. Some of the definitions don’t quite seem to fit (e.g. “hope is the warmth of strong arms around you”), and often the word security is more apt than hope. But other parts of the text capture the feeling with intensity: “Hope is scared words asking for help, and finding that help is there.” The words are set against expansive backgrounds, in pure colors that evoke the emotion. Throughout, children from around the world are shown at play or being comforted by adults as they find their own reasons to hope. Preschool-Grade 2. --Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545037379
• ISBN-13: 978-0545037372
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi! I'm Lauren Thompson, children's book author. Please visit my website to find out about all my books: www.LaurenThompson.net

Happy reading!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here is to hoping you'll own this book and read it to your children., February 4, 2009

By 

KSL "emma-and-me" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hope Is An Open Heart (Hardcover)

What a beautiful book! Not only is the photographs well done but the text is also just as beautiful! The author said that this book came came about after 9/11 and trying to calm her son and give him hope that life would get better.

Photos themselves tell stories. Two photos tell the story of two families from Alabama who lost everything from Hurricane Katrina, another family from New Orleans, Sri Lanka and East Timor. The photos are simple but strikingly beautiful.

So far my favorite pages are:

Hope is sad tears flowing, making room for joy.

Hope is remembering that you are no alone. Many others feel just the way you do. Many others care.

I hope you purchase this book for yourself, for a special child or as a gift. I hope that this book is read, enjoyed and that whom ever is reading and listening takes this book to heart.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope is and Open Heart, November 28, 2011

By 

Colleen J. Kennedy - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hope Is an Open Heart (Paperback)

Found out about this book while doing a reading day at an elementary school. Had to get a copy. Excellent pictures and content. Would highly recommend not just for children!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book Full of Hope, October 25, 2010

By 

Mundie Moms/Mundie Kids "Katieb" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hope Is an Open Heart (Paperback)

Wanting to help her son cope with the after math of the September 11th attacks, Lauren Thompson wrote an inspiring book about Hope. With simple, yet powerful words, young readers will be able to understand the verifying degrees of Hope. Filled with pictures from around the world, Lauren captures hope in various degrees including those who survived Hurricane Katrina, those who gathered as families during the 2007 elections in East Timor, to surviors of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

This is a moving, powerful, read that is a perfect addition for elementary school class rooms, libraries and at home. This book will be a great tool in helping Children cope with the things around them, and help them find the Hope that lies within them.

My favorite quote from the books is: "Hope is a heart that is open to the world around. Hope is knowing that things change-and that we can help things to change for the better."

This edition is part of the Help for Haiti/ Save The Children organization.