Feelings LGBTQ+ Love Relationships Self-acceptance
Jerome by heart
Summary:
Jérôme shares his snacks with him and protects him when the others tease him. Raphaël feels safe when he smiles. They always hold each other’s hand on outings. So yes, Raphaël loves Jérôme. In his dreams and in real life. He says so. [Source: publisher]
Edited by:
Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
Author(s):
Scotto, Thomas
Illustrator(s):
Tallec, Olivier
Translator(s):
Bedrick, Claudia
Publisher:
Enchanted Lion Books
City:
New York
Year:
2018
Pages:
32
ISBN:
9781592702503
Age Range:
6 - 10
Language:
EN
Original Language:
FR
Keywords:
Feelings, LGBTQ+, Love, Relationships, Self-acceptance
Comment:
Little Raphaël loves Jérôme. Everywhere, all the time. That’s just the way it is. The narrator recounts his daily life: a class outing to a museum, playing football with his dad, breakfast as a family… an ordinary routine, except that it is dominated by thoughts of Raphaël’s generous, sensitive classmate, Jérôme. Raphaël does not really try to put labels on their relationship: is it just a good friendship, or does it tip over into love? His father eventually grows uncomfortable with his son’s obsession with another boy. After pacing his bedroom carpet and mulling the question, Raphaël decides simply to live out his affection for Jérôme in his own way, not caring what other people think. The short, simple text works well thanks to the between-the-lines meanings and the deliberately naïve drawings. Broad swathes of colour in the background set the chubby little hero and his tall, thin friend apart in a unseen protective bubble. The book is a marvel of finesse that explores the unconditional power of emotions and the way society tries to undermine their purity by rejecting anything that looks different. [Source: Sophie Pilaire, Ricochet]