Herman and Rosie

This book was incredibly sweet. It was about love, not only for each other, but also for your passions. The plot was very intriguing, because you know in the beginning that Herman and Rosie are meant for each other. They live across a street and are so close to each other, but they have to go

through so much before they find each other. Rosie loves Herman’s music, and Herman loves Rosie’s singing. In the end you are very happy when they finally find one another and they can play music and sing together. Another great thing about the book is the illustrations. When the author talks about New York City, and its buzzing and honking, the pictures seem to be signs that you would see in Times Square. The BAR, PIZZA, CLUB, HOTEL, MUSIC are all popping in their own way. The pictures also show how close Herman and Rosie are at all times. They can be sitting next to each other at a café or their lives are occurring sequentially in events. The big message in this story is to never give up your passion. In this case, Herman and Rosie’s passions led them to each other.

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LibraryThing member Fjola

When I first read this, I was wondering what sort of appeal this could really have for a kindergartener or younger. I mean, I liked it, I enjoyed the little New York references and atmosphere, but was a kid going to relate to a story about two lonely musicians looking for a break (the

anthropomorphism aside). I'm still not so sure about that, but this story has a lot of heart and it appeals to the adult me on so many levels, down to the clever vinyl cover (yet another reference the kids are not going to understand, sigh!), and I know I will be picking this book up again next time I catch it at the library, so I'm adding a star to my original rating of it. As for my five year old, he obviously loved the map of Manhattan, and tracing their walk - to the hot dog stand and into Central Park - with his finger. Also, he has this fondness for New York (where he's never been) too, knowing his little friend always goes there from time to time. So, okay, sure!

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LibraryThing member Sullywriter

A lonely crocodile and a lonely deer(?) living in Manhattan come together through jazz music.

LibraryThing member melissarochelle

Read on October 21, 2015

Jesse wasn't a fan of this one and may have made things up while reading it to me and Evie to keep himself interested (like how Rosie ate all those pancakes and gained 40 lbs...I won't tell you what Herman watched). But I thought it was a cute story for older kids about

finding friends, being yourself, and living life in the big city.

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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Best picture book love story ever. Herman and Rosie are adorable and I love that they bond over music. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Best picture book love story ever. Herman and Rosie are adorable and I love that they bond over music. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Best picture book love story ever. Herman and Rosie are adorable and I love that they bond over music. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Best picture book love story ever. Herman and Rosie are adorable and I love that they bond over music. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Herman and Rosie lived right next door to one another in the big city, but they lived lives that never touched. They went to work, pursued their musical passions - Herman played the oboe, while Rosie was a jazz singer - and indulged their (shared) love of films about the ocean, all without knowing

that the other existed. It took two catastrophes - losing a job, and losing a much-needed musical release - to bring them together, and change the course of both their lives...

Set in New York City - although the narrative never makes that explicit, the end-papers show a map of the city, and the interior illustrations depict numerous New York landmarks - Herman and Rosie is a lovely book. The story touches on important themes - loneliness, friendship - in ways that are as thoughtful as they are poignant. The reality that one can feel lonely, even amongst crowds of people, is ably captured in Gus Gordon's tale, making the meeting of these two souls all the more satisfying. The artwork, which looks to be done is a variety of media, is quirky and appealing. I liked the use of text, whether in signs or as part of postcards, in the illustrations. All in all, this was a wonderful book, about loneliness, about life in the big city, and about finding a friend.

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LibraryThing member aratiel

A touching story about two lonely people (animals) who share a love of simple things, ocean movies, and jazz music, and who eventually meet in the midst of the big city. Lots of imagery.

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