TESTIMONIALS: EXPERTS/PARENTS

Matilda Wong (Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Macau)

“It is my great pleasure to recommend this beautiful children’s book Happy Hearts Happy Families to teachers and parents. It teaches phonics that helps young learners identify and practice English sounds with fun. The book comes with lovely songs and colourful illustrations, which add more joy to learning. The meaningful themes and vocabulary helps children learn important moral values, while learning English. Thank you Stephen for creating this wonderful book that every child is sure to love and enjoy!!” (June 2023)

Shahla Ali (Parent & Professor Department of Law, University of Hong Kong)

"Stephen Sayers' Happy Hearts Happy Families is a treasure trove of inspiration and joy for family educational bonding. The music, illustrations, and lyrics draw on the storehouse of love between parents and children and ignites a thirst for learning in young hearts. It is the result of years of creative development resulting in a highly accessible illustrated book with musical accompaniment accessible by a convenient QR code. There is a bright quality I see in my daughter as she reads and sings these words and a closeness we feel as we learn together. I highly recommend this resource for all families." (May 2023)

Tanja Carmel Sargent, PhD, (Associate Professor Rutgers Graduate School of Education, New Jersey, USA)

“Happy Hearts, Happy Families” by Stephen Sayers is a delightful, beautifully illustrated text for teaching young children to read in English. It is based on a scientific and comprehensive approach to teaching reading that combines the best of phonics and whole language approaches. The text uses multiple types of phonics teaching structures to help young readers analyze letter-sound relations and to make connections between the words they have already read in order to decode the words they do not know. The original songs and catchy melodies attract young children. The repeated listening will support their progress to reading the lyric’s pages at the end of the book. This process will give them a boost of confidence in their earliest introduction to reading, enhancing their motivation to learn. The book also draws upon the real experiences and background knowledge of young children, reinforcing important values that are learned during early childhood, including love for family, patience, generosity, responsibility, helpfulness and the need to listen carefully to others. (June 2023)

Carmen Lei (Teacher: Sacred Heart Canossian College, Macau)

It is evident that this book is not just another children’s book, but rather an interactive and educational tool that promotes mastering phonemes / sounds, learning to read, discovering hearts, and contributing to a peaceful world. This work showcases passion and creativity for children’s education, and I must commend Stephen’s efforts in crafting a recommendable tool for both parents and educators. I have no doubt that this book will be an essential resource in creating a vibrant and peaceful future for our younger generations. Once again, congratulations Stephen on this great achievement, and I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors! ((Mar. 2023)