What if the World is a Letter?

I found today’s book through a delightful accident. The author, Hilary Echols, reached out to me via my author website. She asked if I would be interested in seeing her upcoming book titled What if the World is a Letter? (Tommy Nelson, 2026). I have a friend who also writes for Hilary’s publisher, so I thought Hilary had gotten my name from her. But after a quick email exchange, I learned that Hilary stumbled on me by chance.

She found my blog while looking for something else called “Take Five.” Even though I wasn’t the person she was searching for, she discovered that I also wrote for kids, advocated for nature, and had a blog with picture-book recommendations.

Through our emails and her website, I discovered she was from Virginia (like me), studied English in college (like me), and loved the seashore (also like me). We are even members of the same professional groups—SCBWI and The Writing Barn’s Courage to Create program. Small world moment!

For several weeks, I wasn’t able to review her book. I set work aside in July while celebrating my son’s wedding in the south of France. (Yes, it was magical!) Now that I’ve finally had time to read Hilary’s book, I am happy to recommend it!

Five Reasons Why:

1. The story makes the intangible seem tangible. What If the World is a Letter? introduces children to one of the deep mysteries of the Christian faith—that God is Love. Love and God are both intangible for kids. By comparing the natural world to a letter from God, Echols gives young readers a physical, relatable starting place for their faith.
2. It’s about a letter. I love hand-written letters. I’m a fan of epistolary novels. (Wasn’t The Correspondent great?) As its title indicates, Echols’ book centers on the analogy that creation itself is like a love letter.
3. The book shows nature in all its moods and variety. Clouds, fields, canyons, caves, seas, forests… Peaceful. Powerful. Vast. Fascinating.
4. In the illustrations (by Vu Thuy Ngoc Ha), kids are outside exploring. They hike, watch the clouds, ride in boats, and enjoy a campfire. I loved all of those things as a kid. I hope today’s kids will, too.
5. The art awakens our imaginations. Maybe we can’t really jump on clouds or ride on the backs of birds or butterflies, but wouldn’t it be fun to explore the world that way?

I’m glad you found me, Hilary—what a nice accident!