Caterpillar Dreams

McFarland follows A Bed for Bear with another tale of a dissatisfied animal, in this case Henri, a caterpillar who dreams of exploring the world beyond his garden. His friends Snail, Worm, and Slug encourage him to stay put (“Seriously, Henri, an adventure?” sighs Slug. “Sounds exhausting”), but Toad urges Henri to follow his dreams: “If you don’t chase them, they always get away.” With help from Bird, Mole, and Fish, Henri is soon on his way to an “amazing, incredible, impossible-seeming adventure,” which seems destined to kick into high gear when he discovers a hot-air balloon. But before the balloon lifts off, a cocoon forms around him, potentially robbing Henri of his dream (though readers will know better). McFarland’s digitally assembled watercolors create an appealing cast of creatures whose bugged-out eyes speak volumes about what they’re thinking, especially Henri. Throughout, McFarland emphasizes the value of patience, taking leaps, and keeping an open mind. Readers will likely recognize what Henri does not—that his adventure was well underway long before he reached the balloon. Ages 4–8. [em]Agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Group. (Jan.) [/em]