This review originally found at The Children's Book and Media Review

Herman Schubert and Rosie Bloom live in a very busy city in two very small apartments. Herman plays the oboe and likes watching films about the ocean. Rosie likes to sing and watch films about the ocean. They both like living in the big city, but sometimes it can be a lonely place to be by themselves. Although Herman occasionally plays oboe and Rosie hears it, and sometimes Rosie sings and Herman hears it, they never meet. One day Rosie is told that she can’t sing in the club anymore and Herman loses his job. Both are sad and stop playing music. However, when they finally meet for the first time, the city is never quite the same again.

This book’s ability to capture both loneliness and friendship in its city setting is a treat. The illustrations capture the busy city life of New York with liveliness and noise, but also the idea and feeling of solitude and loneliness. Tiny details of the illustration add depth to the characters and the story. The mixed media nature of the illustrations create a modern but fun feeling. Readers will cheer and sigh as they wait for Herman and Rosie to meet and be able to share their hobbies with each other. ( )

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.

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. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )