Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

“Somebody Loves you, Mr. Hatch” was an excellent book that I enjoyed very much. First, I liked the book because of the character Mr. Hatch. Mr. Hatch liked to live his life according to a strict routine. He ate the same thing every day, wore the same outfit, and only spoke to people when he had to. All the characters in the book would say “Mr. Hatch likes to keep to himself.” However, when Mr. Hatch was sent a giant box of candy on Valentine’s Day with a note that said, “Somebody loves YOU” he became much more outgoing and interactive with people. I think Mr. Hatch is a very relatable character because of this transformation. There have been many times in my life where I have been distant from people because of my own show more insecurities. I think it is a very common thing for people to come out of their shell when they feel as though people actually do like them. I found Mr. Hatch to be a very authentic character whose struggles with acceptance were very relevant to my own. Secondly, I liked the book for its story line. Like stated above, in the beginning of the book Mr. Hatch was a very withdrawn and lonely character until he received a box of candy in the mail with a note on it that said, “Somebody loves you.” Given a boost of confidence from the candy, Mr. Hatch became a very friendly and adored member of his community. However, Mr. Hatch learned that the box of candy was not meant for him and reverted back to his lonely ways. The other characters in the book, who grew to love Mr. Hatch, decorated Mr. Hatch’s house with candy and streamers saying “Everybody Loves Mr. Hatch.” At the end of the book Mr. Hatch said, “I do believe, somebody loves me after all.” I thought this was such a great storyline because it showed the importance of telling people you love them. I feel as though many books exemplify the importance of love and showing it with actions, but not saying it. Saying “I love you” is such an important thing that everyone needs to hear on a regular basis to actually feel loved and accepted. I loved the story line of “Somebody Loves you, Mr. Hatch” because I thought it exemplified the importance of saying “I love you” so well. “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch” has two main ideas. The first is what I discussed earlier which is the significance of saying I love you. The second main idea is to tell readers to always be forthcoming and friendly with people because that is how you make friends. In the beginning of the book when Mr. Hatch is withdrawn from all the people in his community and workplace no one can get to know him in order to be friends with him. However, when Mr. Hatch starts to open up to people everyone learns what a great friend he is. This message of “to have a friend is to be a friend” is such an important one because people sometimes forget making friends is a two way street. “Somebody Loves you, Mr. Hatch” is an excellent book with a great story line and insightful meaning. show less

This book would be so cute to read to a child during Valentine's Day! I thought that this book would be a little boring, but as I read on, I started to really relate to Mr. Hatch. I think this book shows strong emotions about how someone can feel sad and lonely. Then, the slightest show of love and appreciation for someone can change their whole outlook on life. Mr. Hatch has his normal routine for his daily life, but after receiving something in the mail, he views his life differently. The illustrations in this book were so much fun to look at! Paul Yalowitz did an amazing job at really showing the difference between Mr. Hatch's everyday life before the Valentine, and his life after he received it. Beforehand, the picture was very sad, show more and you could gather the sense of loneliness in his life. After he received the Valentine, the pictures started to have more color, and involved people who see and notice him every day. I think that children can relate to this book great at their age or even when they get older, too. Their bodies are changing, and life does not always stay the same. As in this book, sometimes when you are "closed off," you might miss something that is right in front of you. I think the genre and theme of this book would be realistic fiction, since it happens to people in real life all the time; then the theme would be community. I say community because when Mr. Hatch finds out that the Valentine was not originally intended for him, and given to him by mistake, his neighborhood comes together to make him realize how much love and support there is for him. show less

A random act of kindness changes Mr. Hatch from quiet and uninvolved to generous and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline. I found the theme of one kind act impacting someone to be an inspiring theme for young readers. The plot could help readers think about tough issues and broaden their perspectives. For example at a key turning point in the plot the community could keep to themselves or be kind to Mr. Hatch. They chose to be kind as they remembered Mr. Hatch's kindnesses to each of them. The characters were believable. Each person from the little girl to the deli man could be someone in one's own community. The treatment of the elderly was respectful and well rounded. At times, the older character experienced self doubt as show more a younger person might. show less

Mr. Hatch is a quiet little man who works in a factory. Every day he eats the same lonely lunch. Every evening he makes two stops on his way home from work, buying a newspaper and a turkey wing for his dinner. He doesn't ever visit with anybody, or even talk to them beyond the basics necessary for conducting his daily business. "Mr. Hatch keeps to himself," is what everybody says.

Then one day something happens. On Valentine's Day, in fact, the postman delivers a giant heart-shaped box of candy to Mr. Hatch. Enclosed is a note that says, "Somebody loves you." Mr. Hatch is energized. He changes his routine, he talks to people, he even makes brownies for the whole neighborhood.

But then--oh, why does there have to be a but?--Mr. Hatch show more learns the candy wasn't meant for him.

Eileen Spinelli's simply-told story gently demonstrates the power of love to transform not only an individual but those around him as well. The colored pencil illustrations by Paul Yalowitz subtly reflect the mood of the story, going from browns and grays to pinks, yellows, and purples, back to the original browns and grays...but don't worry, both text and illustrations end with beautiful, brilliant color! show less

Mr. Hatch lived his days on a pretty strict routine, and always kept to himself. When he receives a Valentine card saying someone loves him, his whole perspective on life begins to change. He bakes brownies for people, watches the newsstand when Mr. Smith is sick, and helps the butcher find his daughter. Everyone in town notices this kindness. But one day he discover the Valentine was meant for someone else. Heartbroken, he resumes his routine. But then, the neighborhood bands together to show Mr. Hatch he is loved.
I thought this story did a great job of showing the importance of kindness without being too preachy about it. I also liked that the book gives specific examples on kind things both adults and children can do.

Such a heart-warmer! Mr. Hatch's lonely routine is disrupted when he receives and unexpected valentine in the mail. It inspires him to reach out to the people in his community. There's a great twist at the end that adds to the love-fest that is this sweet, sweet book.

This has to be the best Valentine's Day picture book I've ever read. Mr. Hatch does the same thing day in and day out. He doesn't have any friends so he is surprised when he gets a package in the mail. A note attached to the large heart shaped candy box reads - "Somebody Love You." Now Mr. Hatch is seeing the world in a whole new light. He's making friends and laughing all the time. But, what will happen when he discovers the note wasn't for him?

I felt so sorry for Mr. Hatch. He was just a lonely guy who needed something to wake him up. Through a simple mistake he is able to make friends and make a new, better life for himself. This is a wonderfully beautiful and touching story about little things changing our lives.