Surprised by Love

A parent returned one of my favorite read-alouds for young children (ages 7-10) today, The Wainscott Weasel by Tor Seidler, telling me how much she and her son enjoyed it. In the story, Bagley, a dashing young weasel with a mysterious black patch over one eye, fails to show interest in any of the eligible young lady weasels in the neighborhood. Instead, he is privately and unaccountably in love with the beautiful Bridget, who happens to be a fish. Charming illustrations by Fred Marcellino help convey Bagley's painfully unrequited love and his heroic efforts to save his beloved from a deadly osprey.

I remember reading this book aloud to a group of 7-8 year olds a few years ago. They were wholly charmed, as I expected. In the group was a little boy for whom I especially chose this book. He did not fit the usual male stereotypes for his age: he sewed decorative items onto his clothing and borrowed books on knitting. I knew the book had its intended effect during one discussion:

Emma (incredulous): "What? He's in love with a fish? He can't be in love with a fish. He's a weasel."

Robert (indignant): "He can be a weasel in love with a fish. You never know who you're going to fall in love with."

And all the rest of the class nodded. And now Emma and Robert are both high school seniors, and when I see them I think of how each of them might be surprised by love.