JEROME BY HEART

Written by Thomas Scotto

Illustrated by Olivier Tallec

(Enchanted Lion Books, 2018)

Jerome by Heart is a remarkable picture book about a boy named Raphael who unabashedly loves his friend Jerome. The story begins endearingly:

He always holds my hand.

It’s true.

Really tight.

On field trips to the art museum,

it’s me he chooses as his buddy.

That’s why I love Jerome.

It doesn’t bother me at all.

Raphael loves Jerome.

I can say it.

It’s easy.

And this is how it should be between two young boys who are best pals. Just as it is with two young BFF girls. But what should be often isn’t. Perhaps that’s why Jerome by Heart seems exceptional. Perhaps that's why the title page includes a quote by French poet Jacques Prévert: “And the passers-by pointed their fingers at them. But the children who love each other aren’t there for anyone else.”

Yes, sadly we begin early in socializing young boys to be more restrained in their same-sex affection. We interpret too much closeness as “gay” and, golly, isn’t that uncomfortable? When Raphael tells his parents one morning he had the best dream ever and says, “It was good in a Jerome kind of way,” Raphael notices his parents’ reactions. “Dad stares at his shoelaces, like he doesn’t hear a word I’m saying. Mom digs through my backpack and sighs, ‘Eat your cereal, Raphael.’” The depth of the bond cannot be acknowledged.

If only adults were as uninhibited as young children!

Raphael’s pronouncements are positively charming:

From now on, every day is for Jerome.

[B]y dinner, I’ve stocked up on enough of Jerome to

last me the whole night.

That’s important.

Olivier Tallec’s illustrations, bathed in golden tones and soft, earthy colors, adds to the warmth of Thomas Scotto’s text. This is a magical little picture book that makes me smile every time I leaf through it.

May Raphael and Jerome grow into more evolved, more loving human beings. May the rest of us find inspiration in them and shed at least a few of our inhibitions.