fun together.
It's as if they could
tell what the other
was thinking without
saying a word.
Except for one day,
when Henry seemed
quiet and sad."
Jessixa Bagley certainly knows the ways of children; she proves it every time she writes a new book. Lucky we are to be able to share them.
Henry and Bea are best friends, each understanding what is important to the other. That relationship changes when Henry becomes unusually quiet and obviously sad. Bea does not know why. Though she does her best to sort it out, Henry refuses to spend time with her. She misses their friendship and doesn't know how to make it better.
When a field trip to the farm is announced at school, Bea shares her excitement with Henry. Henry remains glum and brooding. Bea does not give up on being a friend, even though Henry offers no real response to her.
"The class was given a tour
of how the farm was run.
But Henry was still having a tough time
and went off on his own again."
Bea seeks him out, and discovers what is making him so sad. Finding an old cat collar in the barn is a poignant reminder of his cat Buddy. Henry tells her that Buddy has died. Bea responds as best friends do. She listens; she offers sympathy, understanding, and respect for keeping his pain private.
Ms. Bagley's watercolor and pencil images allow all emotions to be shown. Through her use of white space and perspective, she keeps the attention on the two friends throughout their story. Readers know the depth of the feelings shared through both text and illustration.
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