#406 of 1001 · September 10, 2021

A funny little curio is Jack of Hearts by Fiona French. A whimsical playing-card-themed world is divided into four areas: the Southland, ruled by the happy King of Hearts, the Eastland, ruled by the wealthy King of Diamonds, the Westland, ruled by the warlike King of Clubs, and the Northland, ruled by the wicked King of Spades. The King of Hearts invites the other three royal families to a grand celebration of the eighteenth birthday of his son, the Jack of Hearts. The first day brings a sumptuous banquet with song, dance, and diverting entertainment. The second day features a tournament, at which the Jack of Hearts jousts against the Jack of Spades. When the King of Spades cheats in favor of his son, it falls to the King of Hearts to thwart effort and set things right. French enhances her playful story with illustrations that replicate and build on the standard design of a modern deck of playing cards. #jack #hearts #king #diamonds #clubs #spades #queen #ace #card #cards #playingcards #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbooks #picturebook #picturebooks #childrensbookillustration #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks