Mr. Hatch is a drab, predictable gentleman who leads a painfully ordered and uninteresting life. One Valentine’s Day a giant candy-filled heart is delivered to Mr. Hatch with a note that reads, “Somebody loves you.”

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SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH

Eileen Spinelli – Author
Paul Yalowitz – Illustrator

Mr. Hatch is a lonely, introverted character. Each day he goes through the motions of his lonely life, getting ready for his job at the shoelace factory, keeping to himself all day, and returning home to another evening alone.

THEN……one wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man named Mr. Hatch.

“Somebody loves you” the note says.

“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch sings as he dusts his living room. “Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch whistles as he does his errands in town. “But who, “ Mr. Hatch wonders, “could that somebody be?”

Just the thought of someone taking an interest in him completely changes the way Mr. Hatch interacts with his neighbors and co-workers.  All of a sudden, he is outgoing and gets to know his neighbors. He finds ways to lend a helping hand and show kindness and concern for others. And, because of his change in actions, friendships develop, he’s no longer withdrawn, and he feels like a part of his community. All this because of a heart shaped box of chocolates!

He’s soon baking brownies, hosting a neighborhood picnic, and reading to the local kids.  Until… Mr. Hatch finds out that the box of chocolates was not meant for him.  The postman arrives with the news that the candy was delivered to the wrong address, putting poor Mr. Hatch into a funk.

BUT…. the newly adorable neighbor has become so much a part of the people’s lives, that when it is disclosed that the heart was delivered by mistake, his friends and neighbors rally around him in a loving demonstration.

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Surprise Someone With a Valentine

Choose a heart or make your own to surprise someone.

Write a Valentine note – Somebody loves you!

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