Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch: Kindness Story for Kids

Inside you’ll find: A book review of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch plus 7 different ways to extend the book with free links and resources! This post has been updated to include some new printables.

Today we read this fabulous book called Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli and Paul Yalowitz. This is truly a wonderful story about love and kindness for kids!

Title: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Pictures: Paul Yalowitz
Publishing: Simon & Schuster, 1996
Ages: 3-8
Themes: Valentines, Friendship, Holidays

This has to be one of the best kids books about love, kindness and helping others. It’s easily my favourite Valentine book.

It’s a charming tale about an older man who leads a lack-lustre existence. But then! Somebody sends him a Valentine. Mr. Hatch is smitten, he’s rejuvenated, he’s in love with life and it shows. He now smiles, talks and laughs with all his new friends.

But wait! The postman later tells Mr. Hatch there was a mistake; the valentine was meant for someone else.

Poor Mr. Hatch. He spirals into despair and falls back to his old ways. But happily not for long — all his new friends are generous and vocal in their love for Mr. Hatch.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch Book Extensions:

IDEA #1

After we read the book the kids made Valentines for the person (people) of their choice. Of course, being 6 years old, most of their cards were for mom and dad.
On the front of the card they printed “Somebody loves you ….”.

Inside the card they were instructed to write “I love you because…” with three reasons.

Did you notice those beautiful little fan hearts on the front of the cards? I used some scrapbooking paper and some coloured photocopy paper to cut out a bunch of little hearts (I used this 2 3/4 inch hole puncher from Michaels). Next year I’ll splurge and buy more scrapbooking paper cause I think that way they’ll look even prettier than they already do.

Everyone picked 5 hearts. They were carefully folded in half and then glued together, one side at a time. Once the fan was made they were glued onto the front of the card.

Better instructions for the hearts can be found HERE.

If you’d like a copy of the writing paper we used, just click HERE.

IDEA #2

If you’re reading this book to your class near Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out these easy peasy and super cute Valentine bags we made. You can even grab the template we used.

IDEA #3

Make some “Kindness Bookmarks”! We decorated some bookmarks and then hid them in different books throughout our school library. Other kids found them and we heard through the grapevine that they were very pleased with our surprise.

IDEA #4

I have directions and lots of pictures for some absolutely beautiful Valentine art my kids made.

IDEA #5