Hearts in My Pocket

Ages 4 to 8, Grades K to 3

For fans of The Invisible String, here is an uplifting and lyrical story about a young girl who learns to navigate her family’s divorce.

Leilah misses the time when her mom and dad were together. Ever since they divorced, her world and her heart feel split in two. She explores the city with Dad and walks Pepper at the park with Mom. She and Dad watch fireworks on the balcony, and Mom helps her make snowmen in the front yard. As Leilah moves back and forth between her two worlds, she wonders if her heart will ever feel whole again. Everything is just so different. Until one day she realizes that love is all around her, and the love her parents share for her will always stay the same.

About the Author

Nancy Tupper Ling is the author of My Sister, Alicia May, Double Happiness, and The Story I’ll Tell. She is the winner of the prestigious Writer’s Digest Grand Prize, the Pat Parnell Poetry Award, and she is the founder of Fine Line Poets. Nancy currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband, and their two girls. She invites you to visit her online at nancytupperling.com.

Shirley Ng-Benitez is the children's book illustrator of over 35 books, including Want to Play?, a 2016 Junior Library Guild Selection, and Emily Lost Someone She Loved, a 2015 Gold Illumination Award and Bronze Moonbeam Award Winner. Shirley is also part of SCBWI, Picture Book Artists Association, Pacific Scribes, and Friends of Calligraphy. She resides in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. She invites you to visit her online at shirleyngbenitez.com.