Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Monika Róża Wiśniewska. Albert Whitman, 2023. 9780807567111
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: ARC (publication date 11/7/23)
Genre: Biography
What did you like about the book? As a little girl in Worcester, Massachusetts, Esther Howland was effusive about her feelings, and especially loved Valentine’s Day. The holiday was not commonly celebrated in the United States in the 1800s, but when Esther’s father brought her home a fancy, lacy Valentine card from a trip to England, she knew she had to try to make her own and sell them. Her family ran a paper company, so supplies were easy to come by, but her business-minded brothers were not supportive. Her father gave her $200 worth of paper and lace, and the brothers skeptically agreed to take some of her samples on a sales trip. When they came home with $5,000 in orders, Esther’s enterprise was born! She employed a group of her friends to cut, paste, stitch and hand-letter Valentines, and found great success. Her business continued to grow from year to year, even during the Civil War, and extending to cards for birthdays and other holidays. Despite a serious injury in 1866 that left her unable to walk, she continued to oversee the business until she sold it and retired in 1880.
An informative and entertaining look at the origin of one of our most popular holiday traditions, Valentines for All also sheds light on women’s roles in 19th century America, and sets Esther Howland up as a positive role model. Female entrepreneurs were certainly a rarity at the time, and Esther was a bold one. Much is mentioned throughout the text of how her cards brought her satisfaction because they made so many people happy, but an author’s note shares what a savvy businesswoman she was. She hired women, created an assembly line (long before Henry Ford), and used a trademark to protect her designs. The friendly tone of the narrative flows smoothly and will hold readers’ interest, as will the cute, colorful illustrations adorned with sweet Valentine designs. In addition to the author’s note, which provides more specific details about Esther’s career, the back matter also includes advice for readers who may wish to try their own hand at writing Valentines.
Anything you did not like about the book? Every page spread features a “Roses are red” rhyme within a Valentine frame, that reflects what Esther might be thinking about. It’s a cute premise but the rhymes are really contrived and corny: “Roses are red, shamrocks are green. My cards are the heart-iest any have seen.” Readers might enjoy seeing more photos (or even drawn reproductions) of some of the original cards; there are only two, at the end.
To whom would you recommend this book? It would be appropriate as a holiday read aloud for grades 1-4, especially for Massachusetts students who may not know that Valentine cards originated right here in Worcester. There is mention in the back matter about the annual card design contest sponsored by the Worcester Historical Museum, so sharing this story might be a nice way to kick off students’ participation in that contest.
Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? Biography, or holiday collections
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.
Date of review: August 23, 2023
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