Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart, illustrated by Monika Róża Wiśniewska, releasing Nov. 7 from Albert Whitman & Company. This is the true story of how an enterprising woman helped establish a tradition that Americans still observe today.
When Esther Howland first saw the fancy valentine her father brought home from England, most Americans thought Valentine's Day was a waste of time. But through the card, Esther felt how much her father loved her. Could she help others express themselves in the same way?
Valentines for All featured in School Library Journal! Read the full article here: https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/3-picture-books-about-holidays-in-history-spotlight
Thank you, Patricia Sarles for this wonderful review for the New York City School Librarians!
Valentines for All is not only A Mighty Girl book, it is A Mighty Girl Community Pick!
Valentines for All is A Mighty Girl Pick of the Day!
Ms. Pinedo's fourth grade class at Richardson Heights Elementary School in Richardson ISD is the 1st to write their own original "Roses are red" valentine poems inspired by VALENTINES FOR ALL, ESTHER HOWLAND CAPTURES AMERICA'S HEART. This wonderful school is also the 1st to have an in-person visit where I read and talked about this book. Thank you for sharing your precious students with me! My heart is full.
Where Valentines for All will be on February 14, 2024: an In-Person Program at San Fernando Library in the LA County Library system.
Wednesday, February 14: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
San Fernando Library - Meeting Room
AGE GROUP: CHILDREN
EVENT TYPE: HISTORY, SOCIETY, & CULTURE, ARTS, CRAFTS, & HOBBIES
Join us to read 'Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart' by Nancy Churnin to learn about Valentine's Day in America. Then, create a card inspired by Howland's detailed, handmade cards. For ages 5 - 12 with adult caregiver.
“A delightful picture book…A welcome addition to elementary school libraries that would be a great story time read-aloud for Valentine’s Day.” Thank you, School Library Journal! Read the full review here: https://www.slj.com/review/valentines-for-all-esther-howland-captures-americas-heart
Thank you, dear Mila and Johannah for your lovely review of VALENTINES FOR ALL in fyi50+. So glad you enjoyed! read their full review here: https://fyi50plus.com/mila-booksit-valentines-for-all/
"A Valentine’s Day gift to ambitious youngsters."--Thanks, Kirkus Reviews for your lovely words about VALENTINES FOR ALL! I hope kids take Esther Howland's true story to their hearts. Thank always, too, to Worcester Historical Museum for your help with research and permissions to reproduce Esther's actual valentines. Read the full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nancy-churnin/valentines-for-all/
"This sunny historical biography traces the tradition of exchanging valentines in the U.S. back to the 19th century, and the kind heart of papercraft pioneer Esther Howland (1828–1904), who made the cards long before it was fashionable."-- Thank you, Publishers Weekly for pointing out that Esther's kindness inspired her desire to see cards of love spread. Read the full review here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8075-6711-1
Thanks, Carol Baldwin, for featuring Valentines for All on your terrific blog! You can read Carol’s post here: https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/celebrate-valentines-day-with-giveaway.html
Thank you, Karlin Gray! Loved talking to you about Valentines for All! Read Karlin’s full blog post here: https://www.karlingray.com/blog/posts/43841
Thank you, Charlotte Offsay for your lovely review of VALENTINES FOR ALL!
Thanks, Good Reads with Ronna for the lovely review of Valentines for All! Read Ronna’s full review here: https://www.goodreadswithronna.com/2024/02/09/valentines-for-all-nancy-churnin-monika-roza-wisniewska/
Thank you, Beth Anderson, for hosting me on your fabulous MINING FOR HEART blog. I loved sharing how I found the heart of Esther Howland’s story and how I hope it will touch the heart of young readers. You can read the full post here: https://bethandersonwriter.com/2023/11/03/mining-for-heart-youve-gotta-have-heart-by-nancy-churnin/
A Q & A with Deborah Kalb about Valentines for All and my other 2023 books. Read the interview here: https://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2023/10/q-with-nancy-churnin.html
Enjoyed pairing Esther Howland up with First Lady Jackie Onassis on the Dynamic Book Duos blog, hosted by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw. Read about VALENTINES FOR ALL and JACKIE AND THE BOOKS SHE LOVED in a post that includes suggested activities here: http://www.suzannejacobslipshaw.com/dynamic-book-duos-two-women-who-loved-words/
Thank you, Kate Kelly for your kind words about VALENTINES FOR ALL in America Comes Alive! Read Kate’s full article here: https://americacomesalive.com/esther-howland-1828-1904-first-america-mass-produce-valentines/#h-valentine-entrepreneur-esther-howland
Thank you, Leigh Russell King of Lincoln Street Elementary School, Youth Services Review Postings and Massachusetts Library System! Excited for kids to know about the woman who started the Valentine card tradition. Read the full review here.
"And yet, this is not just a piece of women’s history, but also of business history and American history." Thank you, Cannonball Read for getting the "heart" of VALENTINES FOR ALL. Read the full review here: https://cannonballread.com/2023/08/valentines-for-all-esther-howland-captures-americas-heart-blackraven/