Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch | A Book Review
Who loves Mr. Hatch? You’ll have to pick up a copy of the Valentine’s Day classic, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch to find out. In this sweet picture book (perfect for preschoolers and up) you’ll discover who loves Mr. Hatch and how love changes everything.
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Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, pictures by Paul Yalowitz | Book Review
When Mr. Hatch, an unsmiling and unbending character of routine receives an unexpected package of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, everything changes. It’s as if the sun is shining again as he reads the card inscribed, “Somebody loves you.” Suddenly Mr. Hatch is smiling, wearing long-forgotten aftershave, even donning a polka-dot tie. His neighbors and co-workers can scarcely believe the change! With the simple knowledge that somebody out there loves him, Mr. Hatch has become a completely different (generous, giving, thoughtful) person.
However, when it’s discovered that the package was delivered mistakenly (seriously, how sad is that?!), the landscape is gray again for Mr. Hatch (both literally and figuratively). But what happens next is the real turning point of Mr. Hatch’s life. It’s amazing what love does to change a person from the inside out. Age range: 4-8 years.
Who Will Enjoy Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch?
The illustrator aptly dedicated his work, “To that little bit of Mr. Hatch in all of us.” Because really, this story will hit home in some fashion to many of us. Wondering if we’re loved, or if anyone cares…surely we’ve all been there in at least some degree.
About the Book
Details from the Amazon listing:
- Age Range: 4 – 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool – 3
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- ISBN-10: 0027860159
Gospel Hope
This book isn’t about the gospel, BUT it’s a great book to start conversations about what love is and how we can show kindness to others. This article about teaching theology with picture books gives some good food for thought.
I love the idea of talking about Jesus after reading Mr. Hatch with little ones. It’s a chance to talk about the love and kindness of God so generously given to undeserving people. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1
It’s a chance to talk about what changes in a person’s life when they discover they are unconditionally loved. It’s a chance to ask how we can share that love with others. And also, to talk about how we are called to live out Christ’s love here on earth. Maybe talk though what some tangible expressions of that love could look like. A big part of this book is how Mr. Hatch’s community surrounds him and shows him that even though the box of chocolates wasn’t for him, he IS loved! How could we do that for someone in our life? Lots of good conversations to start!
Also check out The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross and The Biggest Story for two of my recently reviewed books that do directly share the gospel.
