Chinese edition of Sarah's Heavy Heart by Peter Carnavas. It's delightful story of friends help each other. Little Sarah whose heart is heavy met a little boy whose heart is light. The two of them figured out how to tie their hearts together and help each other out. And by supporting each other, they are happy. In Traditional Chinese. Annotation copyright Tsai Fong Books, Inc. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.
Books like this are very special. They contain a special message for young at heart and old at heart. I have been reading many books with serious themes lately, all told with sweetness and light even though the themes are quite serious. Sarah's heart is feeling heavy and she is overwhelmed. She comes across a friend who helps her share the load. Bless!
Love this kids book!!! So beautiful I cried while reading it (yes, Mummy is a nutball)!! Love all the hearts in it, and the personalities of heavy hearts and light-hearted people. Very sweet <3
Peter Carnavas is a master of the "quiet" picture book, and Sara’s Heavy, Heavy Heart is perhaps his most resonant work. It is a masterclass in how to handle "heavy" themes with a feather-light touch. Symbolism & Metaphor: The book excels at externalizing internal struggles. By turning Sara’s sadness into a physical object,a heavy heart she must carry,Carnavas makes a difficult emotion visible and relatable. It provides a perfect vocabulary for children to discuss mental health without feeling overwhelmed. Simplicity/Economy: The beauty of this story lies in its restraint. The prose is sparse, and the illustrations use negative space effectively. It doesn’t over-explain; it trusts the reader to feel the weight of the images. A Masterclass in Structure: This is perfect for writers studying the picture book craft. Notice how Carnavas uses a rhythmic, repetitive structure to show the burden of the heart, followed by a pivot in the narrative that provides a resolution that is hopeful but honest.
I bought this from Amazon as it had over 50% off, and Peter Carnavas is a writer who I have recently bought a couple of books having only just discovered him.
This is a sweet, charming tale for younger readers tackling that heavy subject of mental health. There are some who have more to carry than others, and they will carry this around with them wherever they go. Sarah is one such person. Her heart is heavy, but she knows that it is hers, and that she will take it wherever she goes. Then one day, she comes across another whose heart is the opposite to hers. Together, they are able to balance each other's hearts.
This is such a subtle, clever book. The illustrations are colourful, yet sparse. There isn't a great deal extra to them, but their simplicity suits the tale perfectly. There is a naivety to them but they are more because of this.
A lovely little book. Definitely one that I would recommend.
We are so proud of you for reading "Sarah's Heavy Heart"! You learned something very important - when we feel sad or our heart feels heavy, talking to someone we love helps us feel lighter and happier. Just like Sarah in the book, you can always share your feelings with us. We will always listen and give you big hugs. Remember, it's okay to feel sad sometimes, and sharing makes everything better. You are such a wonderful reader!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.