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I wanted to share a new addition you will find inside our Valentines Day Gift Guide 2026: The Heart That Found You by Anna Schocket I received a physical copy of The Heart that Found You in exchange for this review.
I enjoyed this book so much which is a picture book that touches on adoption. I don’t know about you but I’ve known several people who’ve been adopted and I can’t wait to share this book with my friends and family.
The Heart That Found You offers a up close and personal look at adoption and the families we build. This children’s picture books is a debut book by author Anna Schocket who shares a heartfelt story inspired by her own journey as a single adoptive mother.
The story draws you in from page one and it’s a book you will not want to put down. I loved the heart on the front of the book which is perfect not only for Valentines Day but year-round. I love how the Author included a page where we can write who the book is to and from who so our children will always know who gave them the book.
I love how the Author explains the heart searched high and low for love which a lot of us do. I love how we see Heart search in everything he does for love. Then we learn about a kind soul who helped Heart find love.
Were reminded the Heart was strong and belonged no, matter where his heart begins to beat. I believe this message should be shared with all children even if they are not adopted. The Heart That Found You is for younger children and should be in all school libraries, Counselor offices and Church offices.
About the book:
Adoption is a journey shaped by longing, waiting, heartbreak, and—above all—love. The Heart That Found You adds a fresh, inclusive, and deeply resonant voice to the conversation, honoring the many emotional layers that define the adoption experience.
Written by debut author Anna Schocket and inspired by her personal experience as a single adoptive mother, The Heart That Found You is a tender picture book for children that delicately honors the complexities of adoption. Told through the perspective of “Heart,” a character who journeys through hope and discovery to find the child they were meant to love, this book offers a moving narrative for adoptive, two parent, blended, LGBTQ+, and single-parent families alike.
“This is the book I searched for and couldn’t find,” says Schocket. “I wanted something that reflected my experience—a solo parent choosing adoption—while also honoring the birth mother’s decision and communicating to my child how fiercely she is loved.”
With luminous illustrations by French artist Carole Chevalier, The Heart That Found You balances gravity with whimsy, creating a gentle, affirming reading experience for children and the adults who love them. Whether introducing the idea of adoption, foster care, surrogacy, or exploring the unique path of embryo adoption through IVF, this book opens the door to meaningful conversations about the many ways families are built and shares a heartfelt, enduring story.
Media, educators, and families looking to elevate diverse adoption stories during National Adoption Month, The Heart That Found You offers a unique perspective—one that is emotionally honest, inclusive, and healing.
Meet the Author:
Anna Schocket, a single adoptive mother, embarked on a heartfelt journey to pen The Heart That Found You as a way to open a dialogue about adoption with her young daughter. With a career as a senior executive in talent development, Anna leveraged her learning background and her belief in the power of teachable moments to create a meaningful resource for other adoptive and nontraditional families. Anna and her daughter thrive together in Oakland, California. For more information.
About the Illustrator:
Carole Chevalier is a French illustrator whose vibrant, heartfelt art brings warmth and magic to children’s books around the world.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
