Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC
Illustrator: Frané Lessac
Publisher: HarperCollins
Suggested age range: 5-9 years

Kids, parents, teachers! Check out this HEART OF TEXAS Activity Guide.


"I shared the book a couple of weeks ago with my harshest critic, 4 ½ year old Ella, and she loved it. As a 7th generation Texan I really enjoyed the unique and beautiful way you captured our state."
— Doggett, Deputy Director, Pew Center on the States and wife of Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett


"I love his book. It is fun and cool and interesting. “Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC” is a book about places in Texas and I live in Texas.

There are many letters that I like in the book — like letter K that talks about John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy Memorial. Or the letter C that is about the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. There is also the letter E for Enchanted Rock and I have been there several times!

There is a lot of reading. It’s almost like a chapter book with many little words that are hard to read. I do like the art work; it looks like it is painted. I like the bright colors and the people. In the back of the book is a map of Texas showing where each of the ABC’s are located.

I am still reading it and I keep finding other letters that I like. I’d like to take a vacation to X for the Texas State Fair. I love “Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC” by Laura Krauss Melmed."
— Reviewed by Grace Schaefer (age 8) for Reader Views (9/09)


"From the Alamo to Ziller Park, Melmed and Lessac provide a tour of places to visit, people to know, and historic events to remember about Texas. Each entry begins with an eight-line poem with an impeccable rhythmic beat that slips off the tongue for reading aloud. The jaunty rhymes entice readers to explore the many facts scattered across the pages. Although these facts serve well to augment the informative poems, the small font size may be a bit daunting, especially for younger readers. Students who skip the introduction (also in overly small type) will miss Melmed’s declaration that the heart of Texas is its people. Each of Lessac’s letters cleverly reflects the words (two horseshoes join to make the Q for the Quarter Horse Museum). Her detailed and colorful folk art perfectly conveys the multicultural panorama of the second-largest state. A delightful map of Texas on the last page pinpoints the sites of each letter."
— Booklist


"This book is the perfect picture of my beloved Texas. I want my grandchildren to share this rich heritage and with this wonderful resource they will be well on their way."
— Gretchen Stanfield, Roanoke, VA