In love with 'Henry In Love'

Every so often, a children’s book comes along that is so sweet and loveable, it feels like a 32-page Valentine. Sam McBratney’s perennial classic “Guess How Much I Love You,” is one example—the book was even published in a “Sweetheart Edition” specifically aimed at the "not-so-young" readers for whom its message of “un- conditional love” evidently resonated.

This year, that sweet and lovable book is “Henry In Love,” by Peter McCarty (Balzar and Bray). It’s the tale of Henry the cat, the object of his affection—a little girl rabbit named Chloe—and a blueberry muffin.

One morning, Henry’s mother gives Henry, his brother Tim, and their friend Sancho, one blueberry muffin each before they trot off school. The boys play an impromptu game of football when an older rabbit—a high school football player—meets them on their walk. He is the older brother of Chloe, who Henry thinks is “the loveliest girl in the class.”

At recess, Chloe shows off her cartwheeling skills, further deepening Henry’s admiration. But Henry is a little shy—more of a dreamer than a talker—and it’s not until fate intervenes and the teacher rearranges the desks so that his is next to Chloe’s that he makes a bold and romantic gesture: trading his blueberry muffin for her carrot at snack time.

Peter McCarty, who’s award winning books include “Little Bunny On The Move,” and “Moon Plane,” has an incredible talent for creating appealing emotive characters with simple pen and ink drawings. His fuzzy creatures are cute without being cloying, in spare layouts with creamy white backgrounds that give the book a refreshingly open, sophisticated feel for a picture book in this age range.

The text, too, is touching and sweet, but not over the top. It’s a simple cat-meets-rabbit story about a school-age crush, free of cliché or major conflict. Henry gives Chloe his blueberry muffin chivalrously, pleasantly pleased with himself and the world, as she sits nibbling it, and the carrot remains on his desk untouched.

Now, isn’t that what love at any age should look like?