I'm developing a serious illustrator-crush on Peter McCarty. I loved [b:Jeremy Draws a Monster|6399392|Jeremy Draws a Monster|Peter McCarty|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513KiLfVRkL._SL75_.jpg|6588089] and Henry in Love's illustrations have that same arty and appealing brilliance. I haven't been so enamored of drawn characters since I first met Toot and Puddle.

True, the story doesn't have a lot going on, but it's such fun to look at. ( )

This story has very simple plot, making it best for younger children. The school children are all different animals which might interest children. The illustrations are subtle yet connect to the text very well.

Henry is a quiet, shy cat who really likes a bunny in his class named Chloe, who is talented and outgoing. At the end, Henry gives the blueberry muffin he'd been saving all day to eat to her, and she gives her carrot to him.

Summary:

Henry is in love with Chloe, the loveliest girl bunny in his class. One day he decides to impress her at recess with his best forward roll, and she shows off her perfect cartwheel to him! They spend the rest of recess chasing each other, and then the teacher sits them next to each other in class. Henry decides to give Chloe his delicious blueberry muffin at the end of the day as well, an adorable sign of true love.

Personal commentary & reflection:

Oh my god I love Peter McCarty. First off, his illustrations are so awesome. The way the characters have small eyes but big faces and bodies, and the way the background art is really minimal so you are drawn to the characters - it's so well put together! He also doesn't use a lot of bright and highly contrasting colors so the whole story and illustrations are both really mild and smooth feeling, it almost feels gentle. It helps give the characters a child like innocence... it's hard to articulate but I really just like the feeling of his illustrations.

When he shows Henry "getting ready for the day" in the bathroom on the 2nd page- so cute! And the plot I thought was adorable, a perfect little story about young love blossoming over blueberry muffins. When you're young, you don't have a lot of resources to share to express your love, so the fact that Henry gives Chloe his blueberry muffin that he was saving all day is just so perfect. It reminds me of my crushes in elementary school, the way they flirt at recess. This was definitely one of my favorite books so far. I'm going to recommend it to my girlfriend! ( )

Henry's teacher changed the seating arrangement in class and Henry ended up sitting next to a girl he has a crush on, Chloe. During snack time, Chloe and Henry talk about their snacks and share with each other.