10 Hidden Heroes

Mark K. Shriver

Mar 2021 · Loyola Press

About this ebook

2022 Christopher Award Winner - Books for Young People

“I can’t wait to share 10 Hidden Heroes with the kids in my life!” –Jennifer Garner, actress and producer

10 Hidden Heroes helps children develop counting skills while learning ways to make the world a better place.

In this fun-filled and inspiring seek-and-find book, New York Times bestselling author Mark K. Shriver highlights the various ways children and adults can be real-life heroes in their everyday lives. Little ones learn to count the individual heroes who shine a light on the importance of helping others whether it’s through teaching, caring for animals, protecting the environment, or keeping others from harm. Adults who read along can help their children make connections to the unseen acts of compassion that occur in their very own neighborhoods.

Illustrated with colorful drawings by Laura Watson, 10 Hidden Heroes proves that acts of kindness and generosity can be found all around us. We just need to know where to look.

Join the search!

Ratings and reviews

Peculiar Book Though I’ve done lots of reviews of books over the years, I feel unsure how to review this one. The pages count back from 10 to 1, spotlighting different groups of “hidden heroes,” like those who take care of people who aren’t feeling well (doctors, nurses, and “regular” people) and those who keep us safe (police, school crossing guards). For the age I believe this is meant for, I’m not sure that a child will make the connection between the bigger concept of a particular type of hero and what is depicted on the page. In all honesty, it seemed like a peculiar book. The number one hero at the end is the child reader. A certificate page that can be filled in by/for the reader immediately follows this, proclaiming his or her hero status. All in all, I wasn’t wild about the book.

Some heroes are hiding in plain sight! The first thing that got me was the fun way the illustrations reminded me of the Richard Scarry books where things were opened up and you could see inside buildings as well as all of the general busy-ness. Then there's the simple prose asking the readers to look for the heroes in each of ten categories. It all finishes up with an invitation for the reader to see self as a hero! The illustrations are vibrant and detailed while remaining somewhat simply depicted. Terrific for all ages. Maybe I'll get one for the local library, too! I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Notable Kids Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

Mark K. Shriver is president of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Pilgrimage: My Search for Pope Francis and the New York Times best-selling memoir, A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, which received a 2013 Christopher Award. Shriver lives with his wife, Jeanne, and their three children, Molly, Tommy and Emma, in Maryland.