Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca

YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART by Rajani LaRocca, MD
ILLUSTRATOR: Lauren Paige Conrad
GENRE: Children’s Picture Book / Non-Fiction
PUBLISHER: Dial Books
RELEASE DATE: August 15, 2023
PAGES: 40

A lyrical introduction to the many wonders of the human heart, from award-winning author and practicing doctor, Dr. Rajani LaRocca

In this stunning non-fiction picture book, poetry and science come together with playful cut-paper illustrations to create a moving ode to the human heart and all that it does.

Complete with illustrative diagrams and copious backmatter, this is a one-of-a-kind non-fiction picture book that gently guides readers through the various systems make up our most vital organ.

Your One and Only Heart by Dr. Rajani LaRocca beautifully covers the nature and work of the human heart, the best picture book I’ve ever seen on the subject in fact. The poetic text and cut-paper illustrations are accessible and entertaining to young readers without being ‘dumbed down’ or cartoonish to the point that it’s no longer very educational. On the contrary, this non-fiction picture book expertly blends the arts with science to deliver an informative ode to the heart that even adults can learn from.

For example, I have never really stopped before to think about how the heart is a study in contrasts. It is at once simple and complex, singular and cooperative, electric and muscular, constant and changeable, etc. Reading LaRocca’s poetic descriptions of the heart and its characteristics really opened my own eyes to the true miracle that is this vital organ and made me even more thankful for the intricate way our bodies were designed. Children will love the bright colors & details of Lauren Paige Conrad’s artwork, as well as LaRocca’s accompanying easy-to-read text, and they will learn so much in the process. Anything that makes learning fun and memorable is a win in my book!

Bottom Line: Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca, MD would be a fabulous addition to any school or home library. It teaches children (and adults!) about this miraculous organ in a way that engages their immediate interest and whets their curiosity for more. The backmatter goes into even more detail, providing further educational opportunities for those who want to keep learning. Excellent and entertaining resource for the children in your life!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / loved it!

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Newbery Honoree Rajani LaRocca grew up loving both science and stories. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, she lives outside Boston, where she practices medicine and writes books for young readers. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at RajaniLaRocca.com

Lauren Paige Conrad is a self-taught illustrator based in Asheville, NC. After working in product development and with small-scale textile studios, Lauren turned to illustration in 2016. She settled into a collage aesthetic that focuses on themes of mischief, homemade childhood, and everyday life. Lauren’s work is comprised of cut paper, gouache, colored pencil, and neo-color crayon. Your One and Only Heart is her debut picturebook. Connect with Lauren at her website.

Dial Books is offering a print copy of Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca, MD to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What makes you want to read Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca, MD with a young learner in your life?