Jerome by Heart

“Raphael loves Jerome. I say it. It’s easy.”
This story follows a little boy named Raphael, whose daily rhythm is steeped in his immense affection for his friend Jerome. The two boys share jokes and snacks and plan future adventures to the Himalayas. Even when Raphael’s constant talk of Jerome is driving his parents crazy, he remains steadfast: “Raphael loves Jerome. I can say it. It’s easy.” And the truth is, when he’s with Jerome, Raphael feels happy, liked, and understood— even special. Thomas Scotto’s simple, strong, and insightful prose and Olivier Tallec’s delightful, expressive illustrations give much emotion and immediacy to the story.

Thomas Scotto, born in 1974, is a celebrated voice in the French youth literature scene. He began writing upon the birth of his first daughter, and since then has authored more than fifty books for children and young adults. Jerome By Heart is his first picture book to be translated into English.
"Perhaps a chocolatier…To grow huge dark forests where I might get a little lost. Or a singer (in French), whose voice grunts or caresses the words. A voice-over artist, to be 1,000 (and one) people at the same time. A photographer, because my eyes are curious. Or the driver of a race car, who would drive people anywhere (if asked nicely!). Really, I don’t know yet what I will do later...Raised on the revolutionary "Fabulettes" of Anne Sylvestre, today I am a writer. To say what astonishes me, touches me, makes me angry, frightens me, or fascinates me. To say that we must not remain silent, for the sake of our memories, too. And I say all this under the gaze of my two daughters, who make me grow, again."—Thomas Scotto

Olivier Tallec’s work has been called “sensitive”, “stunning”, “breathtaking”, and “beautiful.” Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the École Supérieure D’arts Graphiques in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books, nine of which have been published by Enchanted Lion.