Chloe

Chloe, the alluring grade-school bunny who charmed the hero of McCarty’s Henry in Love, gets her own story in a companion book about the pleasures of family and bubble wrap. Chloe is her family’s middle child, meaning she has “ten older brothers and sisters, and ten younger brothers and sisters.” She looks forward to “family fun time” after supper, but when Chloe’s father brings home a TV, and the family gathers around, Chloe protests, “This is the worst family fun time ever!” McCarty depends upon a simple premise—Chloe recaptures her family’s attention with the cardboard TV box and the bubble wrap inside—and personalizes the tale with detail-obsessed drawings in rabbity-brown ink and watercolor. Each of the 23 bunnies is identifiable by size, gender, and outfit, from towering football player Billy (seen in Henry in Love) to brother Bobby in a T-shirt with a red star (subliminal message much?) and baby Bridget in an ears-to-toes onesie. Still bewitching (a shot of Chloe entrancing her siblings by popping bubble wrap is priceless), yet serious about her strong opinions, Chloe continues to stand out in a crowd. Ages 2–6. Agent: Gotham Group. (May)