The House of Love - Hardcover

Trigiani, Adriana

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593203313 ISBN 13: 9780593203316

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling adult novelist Adriana Trigiani and beloved illustrator Amy June Bates team up for a heartwarming picture book about a how a family comes together to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Mia Valentina Amore loves valentines. After all, her name means My Valentine. When she wakes up on Valentine's Day, it looks like just another morning in the rickety old Amore house in the Blue Ridge mountains of Appalachia. But over the course of the day, her home is transformed into the House of Love. Mia and her mama festoon the halls, build a gumdrop tree, bake cupcakes, and most importantly, make valentines for all six of her siblings. But when Mia doesn't receive her own valentine, she wonders if Mama could have forgotten her.

New York Times bestselling novelist and filmmaker Adriana Trigiani has crafted a tender mother-daughter story that celebrates Valentine's Day or any day that brings family together. And acclaimed illustrator Amy June Bates brings warmth and coziness to a story that affirms it doesn't matter where you come from as long as that place is full of love.

About this title

About the Author

Adriana Trigiani is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction. She also writes and directs movies. Adriana is cofounder of the Origin Project, an in-school writing program in Appalachia. She grew up in Big Stone Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in a very old house. Adriana lives in Greenwich Village with her family. Join Adriana on Facebook and Instagram @AdrianaTrigiani or visit  adrianatrigiani.com.

Amy June Bates is the illustrator of Sweet Dreams and That's What I'd Do, both by singer-songwriter Jewel; Joey by Dr. Jill Biden; The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hes; and many other beloved picture books. She is also the coauthor (with her daughter Juniper Bates) and illustrator of The Big Umbrella. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three children. Please visit amyjbates.com.

Reviews

K-Gr 3-It's February 14th, Mia Valentina's favorite day. She and her mama spend it getting ready for a Valentine's Day dinner with their large family. Mia wants everything to be just right. As she lovingly works to bring beauty to one specific room, Mia rips down the faded brown wallpaper to discover that "A pretty wallpaper with hundreds of roses blooming inside a white trellis had been hidden under that dull brown wallpaper all along. It's an inside garden!" The joyous holiday spirit of Mia Valentina and her mother is present on each page as they decorate the house. "Top to bottom they went, up the stairs, through the rooms, and down the banister. Every room was bedazzled! Every corner had a Cupid! Every door, a garland." Careful attention to the details and rituals of holiday decorating is captured in vintage red and pink hues traditionally associated with Valentine's Day. The palette lacks a brilliance often seen in contemporary picture books, but the illustrations are textured and thoughtfully float the story along. VERDICT A sweet read for anyone who appreciates simple expressions of joy and the tenderness of a child's holiday cheer.-Maegen Rose α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593203313
• ISBN 13: 9780593203316
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Bates Amy June
• Number of pages: 40