A review by mat_tobin
Jerome by Heart by Claudia Zoe Bedrick, Karin Snelson, Thomas Scotto, Olivier Tallec
5.0
It is easy to tell someone that you love them; especially when you know that the feeling is unquestionably reciprocated. But, for Raphael, our young narrator, it is a little more difficult because society isn't ready to accept his love for Jerome. In a beautiful, French picturebook written by Scotto (translated by Bedrick and Snelson) and illustrated by the wonderful Tallec, who blessed us with [b:Big Wolf and Little Wolf|6226468|Big Wolf and Little Wolf|Nadine Brun-Cosme|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1354209189s/6226468.jpg|6409050], is a story that celebrates the fierce love one boy has for his best friend.
With a beautiful narrative rhythm in both image and text, Raphael introduces us to his best friend, Jerome, who seems a little older and a little more assured but will still, happily grip his friend's hand tight whilst they cycle and walk around the suburb or stick up for his smaller friend if he is picked on at school. The time they spend together, sharing each other's food or running and laughing together sees the pages awash in bright yellows and reds; Raphael's happiness literally brightens the page. Yet when his parents question his friendship and wish of him that he would adhere to what it is boys should do and how they should be, Raphael finds his very beliefs and understanding of love questioned and with that, his world becomes saturated in moody blues.
It is only when Raphael casts off these doubts through remembering the reciprocal simplicity of the love he and Jerome have for each other that he escapes.
I can see why Popova calls it a text to adds to the LGBT community but it could also be something that celebrates the gradual chipping away of entrenched masculine ideologies in which boys can hold hands and love each other the same way girls can. Whatever your interpretation, and both are welcome, this is a beautiful story which all children should encounter.
With a beautiful narrative rhythm in both image and text, Raphael introduces us to his best friend, Jerome, who seems a little older and a little more assured but will still, happily grip his friend's hand tight whilst they cycle and walk around the suburb or stick up for his smaller friend if he is picked on at school. The time they spend together, sharing each other's food or running and laughing together sees the pages awash in bright yellows and reds; Raphael's happiness literally brightens the page. Yet when his parents question his friendship and wish of him that he would adhere to what it is boys should do and how they should be, Raphael finds his very beliefs and understanding of love questioned and with that, his world becomes saturated in moody blues.
It is only when Raphael casts off these doubts through remembering the reciprocal simplicity of the love he and Jerome have for each other that he escapes.
I can see why Popova calls it a text to adds to the LGBT community but it could also be something that celebrates the gradual chipping away of entrenched masculine ideologies in which boys can hold hands and love each other the same way girls can. Whatever your interpretation, and both are welcome, this is a beautiful story which all children should encounter.