See a Heart, Share a Heart

by Eric Telchin

A gift that opens your eyes, your heart, and your world

In 2009, Eric Telchin noticed a heart in a pool of melted ice cream, and hearts have followed him ever since. He launched boyseeshearts.com as a forum to share his "found" hearts, and an Internet phenomenon was born.

This enticing book pairs Eric's photography with short, poignant text to create the ultimate gift for anyone looking to lend, mend, or charm a heart. The simple message of being open to seeing hearts and finding love is one that will resonate with readers of all ages. Anyone can see hearts; it's just a matter of remembering to look for them.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Nonfiction, Childrens, Photography

48 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2012

About the author

Before launching BoySeesHearts.com, Eric Telchin worked as a broadcast designer for ABC News in Washington, D.C., and as a senior designer at the Washington Post Newsweek Interactive. Eric now sees hearts in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded of the saying, ‘stop and smell the roses’, See a Heart Share a Heart, is a beautiful comparison to this sentiment.

Each page has captured a heart that is found in a folded leaf, paint drips, a butterfly’s shadow, and a shell on a beach, just to name several.

Captions attached to each heart are thought provoking and the illustrations are striking.

Eric Telchin’s message throughout his inspirational book is: Hearts bring love.

Readers will enjoy taking a moment to stop and See a Heart Share a Heart.

[Alla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of photographs. Eric Telchin is able to find a heart in any place. I found it calming and peaceful to look through the pages of the book. The colors are warm and rich. And there is plenty of room for personal reflections. This book is sure to capture a heart. I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heart this book! It is so wonderful, the author Eric Telchin came to speak to my students and they LOVED it. Not a week goes by without one of my students showing me a heart they found! This book is a great gift for all ages.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *HEART* this book and can't wait to share this with someone else to *HEART* and then we can go find our own heart images to share.

[Lisa Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a children's book, the message was very profound. I used this book as part of a gift and way to ask my girlfriends to be my bridesmaids in my upcoming wedding.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful and positive

[Ruby Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb on the dust jacket explicitly states that the author's message is "Hearts bring love." Being as hearts are universally known to represent love, it doesn't make the message unique or innovative. However, it does serve as a simple reminder of something that humanity might have forgotten in its quest for power, domination, wealth, war, etc; a message that was discarded in our drive to fulfill our own selfish goals.

The photographic images are vivid and colorful matching the content. However, the pictures start to loose their impact towards the end of the book. The stark images used for "see a heart" and "change a heart" were not a favorite. Also, the layout of the images could have been better; some of the images were distorted because they appeared between the binding of the book making it hard to see the photograph. The key to appealing to young child's interest is bright and clear pictures.

Simple sentences and vivid images make this an easy read for children. But more importantly, it helps the younger generations to understand that love is complex in its different facets. In the presentation of diverse hearts, the author's message transforms itself. One obvious edict is that hearts come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and from different situations just as people do. This celebration of the natural state is invigorating for future generations to understand that while we are all human, we are also unique in every way.

We should celebrate our unity as well as our differences. Perhaps, the older generations can take a simple lesson like this and help change the fate of humanity by remembering tolerance, patience, peace, and, most importantly, love.

Note: I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Kristine Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I am saying this book is great for ALL ages, despite the publisher's recommendation of ages 4-7. This book reminds us that love is EVERYWHERE, if we just take the time to look for it and notice it.

What a feast for the eyes! The bright colors of nature are what carry the photos, and I think there was exactly one of the hundred pictures that I thought was a stretch for looking like a heart (dripping paint pic). ADORE the cover, which is the only staged heart of the book.

Though I didn't sit with a child while reading this, I feel like there's something for all ages. Youngest kids can simply marvel at the colors or play "I Spy" by pointing out the shapes. Older kids can try and identify what is making the heart shape -- a leaf? string? a shadow? I think the springboard possibilities are endless. The text is minimal and simple, so the reluctant reader will enjoy it as well.

Win-Win-Win.

Thank you to We Give Books/Pearson Foundation and Dial Books/Penguin Group for sharing this!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of finding hearts in everyday life. I found two heart shaped rocks on the beach in Oceanside and someone had made a heart using rocks on the sidewalk outside our condo.
While the book might seem like it is easy or silly, I think it can lend itself to fun lessons for any age group (color, photography, poetry, found objects, nature) and who doesn't need a reminder of the beauty and magnificence in God's creation.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received See a Heart, Share a Heart from a friend. It is a beautiful book with pictures taken in nature of hearts. I shared it with my preschool class and that day on the playground all of the class was looking for heart shapes on the playground. They were so excited with all the hearts that they found and I took pictures of each one for them, so we can write about each one for their parents. I love books that I can use to encourage creative writing and use to increase cognitive knowledge in nature.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to explore Telchin's website after reading this book, which is less a "story" and more an encouragement for children and adults to look closely at their world to see patterns -- a worthy endeavor. Since I'm always hunting for stones that look like hearts, this was right up my alley. My favorite of Telchin's finds-- the folded leaf shadow forming a black heart within a curled green leaf.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

See a Heart, Share a Heart is a cute collection of found hearts throughout the world. These hearts found and captured in a photograph are mostly observed in nature and are accidental in creation. This is a great way to remind people of all ages to be more observant of their surroundings and they might be surprised by what they find. This would pair well with Alphabet Everywhere by Elliot Kaufman and If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pareidolia of any kind is cool, but a book full of hearts found in other places was especially sweet. I love finding faces and pictures in other things, so this book had me at the cover. It's a short work that both adults and children can leaf through. Very imaginative, and a nice, short collection of pictures with brief text. I liked it.

*Won in Goodreads first reads contest*

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. Very simple to read, but what I liked most were the pictures. Eric Telchin has taken pictures of hearts that are found everywhere around us. There are cool pictures of leaves, insects, cracks in the tar, shadows, and other unique formations of hearts. Can be used in many different ways.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really shouldn't be a children's book, and there are no words but the Photography is great. Looking in the world around us for shapes that looks like heart. I enjoyed the pictures but I am not sure kids will appreciate it.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book about hearts.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book to share with the one who holds your heart.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty little book full of found images of hearts - like a heart shaped leaf, melted ice cream in the shape of a heart, etc. Would be a fun book for a photography class to start a project.

[J. Robin Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is probably considered a children's book by most people, it would also make a great coffee table book. It's beautiful in its message and design.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the photographs of hearts. I will be looking for hearts all over now.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on We Give Books. org... Would like to see the actual book. It's Valentine's day... loved the hearts (photographs) that are found everywhere!

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a great gift or coffee table book, but it's not so useful for a story time.

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my students would love this, especially because the photos are taken on a phone and it connects to some instagraming we do as a class. Can't wait to share it with my students.

[Ayesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think its a good book because I love love..... hahaha..... i like this book

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I too collect hearts of all kinds, esp rocks. This is an awesome book!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome book, filled with artistic inspiration! It will get us outdoors more, looking at things in new ways. What could possibly be bad about that?!?

[Hikaoru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures but some are repetitive. I just flip through this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!!!!!!!

[Nicole Garritt]

Title: See a Heart Share a Heart

Author: Eric Telchin

Illustrator: Eric Telchin

Genre: Photographic Essay

Theme(s): Love, Beauty, Compassion, Abstract

Opening line/sentence: See a heart. Share a heart.

Brief Book Summary: Through the various pictures of objects that look like hearts, this photographic essay allows you to follow your heart throughout many different images. Object that you may never expect a heart-shaped object to appear in happen to pop up in this book. It is a fun, cute, book that is an easy ready for younger kids. Even older kids will be fascinated with some of the ways the photos capture hearts.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Heidi Quist
This is a fun collection of heart images found in everyday life, including many from nature, and some from shadows and haphazard placement of everyday objects. The backmatter includes the most information as the book is simply a series of verbs followed by a heart as suggested in the title. In the backmatter, the reader learns that Telchin never forces nor alters the hearts he photographs, rather he has found himself blessed to see them very often--more than 3,000 times while only with his cell phone camera. His tendency to find hearts, in fact, led him to create a web site to allow others who find hearts in their lives to share them as he does. Some of the images in the book are stunning, some are clever, and some just interesting. Following the author information in the back matter, Telchin has written descriptions of his finding some of his favorite hearts, accompanied by these photos, adding another human element that will draw in both children and adults. While the book and the practice will attract many adults, I personally appreciate the appeal to children as it encourages their finding beauty in the world, and in developing interests in many wonders of the world, from human-made to natural. Also, while I would venture that many young girls will naturally fall in love with the collection, since the artist is a man, and his web site (www.BoySeesHearts.com) even indicates and invites his sex to join him, some young boys will be drawn to look for hearts and find pleasure in this book collection as well. 2012, Dial Books/Penguin,, $12.99. Ages 1 up.
(PUBLISHER: Dial Books for Young Readers (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2012.)

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2012 (Vol. 80, No. 21))
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) 2012, Dial, 48 pp., $12.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 3 to 6. © 2012 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: Dial Books for Young Readers (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2012.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: My favorite quote from the reviews is “And this title seems to prove that hearts really can be found in the most unlikely places, formed by unexpected objects” and Telchin really captured this idea. I agree that this is a unique way to find joy in the little objects. You are surrounded by love everywhere, even in the every-day objects you see all the time. I think that was Telchin’s message and the reviewers seem to hit that right on. I agree with both reviews.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is a great book to include in a classroom library because of the photographs. It can mix up varieties with picture books and photographic books. This way, kids can be exposed to photographic essays along with fiction books. Plus it can show kids a new perspective on how to look at object in life and to find shapes in them.

Consideration of Instructional Application: A teacher could use this book as an introductory to a photography lesson. Since these kids will be looking at the various photos taken by Telchin, they too could take photos similar to him. The lesson could include perspective, angels, colors, and shapes that make up a photo. Kids could practice taking photos and create a classbook of photos just like Telchin’s photographic essay.