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| *Starred Review* Most people have heard of Harvey the rabbit, Elwood P. Dowd's invisible pal. Here, the protagonist, Little Rabbit, has an invisible friend named Harry. They have all the usual fun, and Mother makes sure she gives Harry the requisite number of cookies and doesn't accidentally sit on him. When Little Rabbit starts school, Harry, comes too. One day, during a particularly fun music class, Harry tells Little Rabbit that he's going to take a nap. When Mother later asks Little Rabbit where Harry is, Little Rabbit admits with surprise that his friend has moved away. In words and art, this strikes just the right chord. The gentle yet witty text captures the importance of imaginary friends in a young child's life, even as it reinforces the idea that they disappear when no longer needed. The message plays out in beautifully crafted acrylic paintings that create a child's whole world—days both snowy and sunny, all kinds of friends, a household with scattered toys, and a warm mother-son relationship. The ending is nostalgic but true to a child's understanding. –Booklist | |