I've always hated the notion that childhood romances are essentially just frivolous phases, and this film seems to agree with me. Watching this little girl come of age, passing her affections along, is very touching. There is nothing to distinguish it from an adult romance, and I was quite stricken by her maturity. It's also a nice portrait of a small community. The rhyming narration is a bit of a cheesy gimmick, but it underlines the film's anti-fairy tale vibe.