Peter McCarty is the same author that brought you the Caldecott Honor Book, Hondo & Fabian. In the same fabulous style, McCarty brings us the adorable cat, Henry, who is lovesick for a pretty little bunny in his class named Chloe. The illustrations are hand drawn and computer colored. Ample white space around the featured characters and immediate surroundings in pastels adds a calming effect to the images. A closer look at the illustrations, however, reveals extreme detail; individual leaves on a tree, fibers in the rug, strands of hair, and pebbles in the fish tank. Readers also get to see just what's on Henry's mind when he looks at Chloe; he imagines her surrounded by pretty pink wild flowers. The story is presented poetically, with alternating line lengths and off rhymes.
Henry's story is one many children can relate to. Henry is sure he thinks Chloe is pretty, but he is not quite sure what to do about it. He shows off to get her attention by turning his best front roll right in front of her. Chloe responds back by showing him her best cartwheel. Does your child ever show off for attention from someone new? There are also lessons to be learned, especially when Henry shows patience when he chooses not to eat his very blue blueberry muffin at lunch, but to save it for later. He then demonstrates generosity by trading Chloe the muffin for her carrot. Discussing these lessons with your child and relating it to your family will help solidify the lessons.
My four year-old niece was so excited when I brought this book over, since she is such a fan of Hondo & Fabian. She immediately asked if Henry was Fabian's cousin, since they are both cats. I asked Emily what she thought about Henry having a crush on a girl, and I fully expected her to say something along the lines of 'ew' or 'icky.' However, she surprised me by saying, "It's so sweet!"
--Audra