detail from page 16, “In the Heart”
In the Heart 2001
On this Valentines Day, I thought it would be fun to show some details from my 2001 picture book In the Heart. Even though it isn’t a valentine story, the poetry (written by Ann Turner) expresses what is in the heart of a child’s day from morning until bedtime.
I chose this project because the words offered an open-ended view into a world full of belonging and wholeness. And the heart theme was too much to resist! Every page is an I Spy game, with hearts hidden throughout, in the kitchen, the yard, the classroom and in the night’s sky.
from “In the Heart” 2001
I used wood and old lacy pieces to decorate the interior scenes. The background fabric is dyed with a spray bottle.
In the heart
detail from “In the Heart” 2001
from “In the Heart” 2001
In the Heart, 2001
The father’s sweater used to be one of my favorite socks. The little fox in this night scene is 1″ from nose to tail.
detail from the book, “In the Heart”, 2001
The book ends with these words:
“and comes back to me–
deep in the pillow,
deep in the bed,
deep in the heart of the house.”
In the Heart
Of course, this and my other books are not just for kids and can be enjoyed by all ages. Autographed copies of In the Heart are available from my Etsy Shop.
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In the Heart 2001
SALLEY MAVOR 
So cute and full of real life!
Lovely!
Your work is amazing! Love the dad with the mustache with the child holding the bunny!
Absolutely beautiful. I love the 3D imagery and the faces of the little people. I love to do 3D as well, but am a long way off this standard. Thank you for sending this.
Sandra
No kidding they are not just for kids! My kids are 20 and we all love them and pick up the ones we have from time to time to look through them. I don’t have this one but I am going to look for it. Exquisite!
That’s great Janet. I’m happy that your family continues to enjoy them! Just so you know, In the Heart is out of print and hard to find, but I have them in my Etsy Shop for a very reasonable price.
I so love and appreciate your art, Salley. I so appreciate the beauty of creativity that you possess, and that your art makes the world a more beautiful place.