About This Book
A parent should reach for this book when their young child is navigating the new and confusing feelings of a first crush. It's a perfect story for a child who feels shy or anxious about expressing admiration for a friend or classmate. The story follows Lima Bean, a young rabbit who is completely smitten with the cool Fuzzboom. She pours her heart into making him the perfect valentine but is overcome with shyness when it comes time to deliver it. Her humorous, failed attempts to give it to him secretly highlight the very real anxiety and bravery involved in sharing one's feelings. This gentle, funny tale from 1981 normalizes the big emotions of a first crush for children ages 4 to 7, framing the act of expressing affection as a courageous accomplishment in itself, regardless of the outcome.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book's central theme is a child's first crush. The approach is metaphorical, using animal characters and the familiar tradition of Valentine's Day to explore feelings of infatuation, shyness, and the anxiety of revealing one's feelings. The tone is entirely secular, sweet, and innocent. The resolution is hopeful, focusing on the internal satisfaction and bravery of the protagonist rather than on receiving a reciprocal response.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review
