Ah, unrequited love! The stuff of which songs, movies, plays, and now children’s picture books are made of! In “Jennifer Jones Won’t Leave Me Alone,” we hear the lament of our main character, a little boy who sits next to Jennifer in school. She’s totally obsessed! She’s constantly expressing her love, calls him “dear,” she writes him love poems that are decorated with red heart stickers, and what’s worse is that all the kids in school are teasing him about it. He’s completely embarrassed but she won’t cut it out.
He starts to fantasize. What if Jennifer moved to the jungle? The monkeys would be glad to have her, and then she’d be out of his hair. She could go hang out with the polar bears in the Arctic, or even the desert or the moon. He’s not picky; he just wants her gone.
But then one day, he learns that Jennifer’s mother has been transferred and she will be moving. It’s the best day of his life! Jennifer is devastated, though, and she gives him a little kiss before she walks away.
At first he thinks it’s great that she’s gone, but then he notices that it’s pretty lonely at school now. He doesn’t have a desk mate, and no one kisses him anymore. He concentrates on his school work, but it’s not the same with her gone. She sends him postcards, telling him what a marvelous time she’s having seeing the sights in Europe, but it all makes him miss her more.
But then he gets the note that sends his heart soaring – she’s coming home in June! He starts jumping up and down, and all the other kids wonder why. He doesn’t care if they’re staring – he runs out the door to the store. He’s got to buy some red heart stickers!
This book was very cute. It reminded me of all the sweet moments we experience in life, whether it be a love note in school or a squeeze of the hand after you’ve been married for years. I only wish I’d found this book in time for Valentine’s Day.
(This book was published in 2003 by Carolrhoda Books and was illustrated by Neal Layton.)
Related Blogs:
Children’s Picture Books by Nancy Luenn
Froggy Books by Jonathan London