I had some bunny books that wanted to review, so I thought I'd make a theme post out of it.
Title: Little White Rabbit
Title: Little White RabbitPublisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: 2011
Format: Hardback, 40 pages
Genre: Children's books, Picture Books
How I Got It: free from Library Thing for review
Summary from book:
One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure.
What does he find?
Look! Everything is new.
Anything is possible…
Little white rabbit hops through the fields, exploring the world around him. He wonders what it would be like to be green like the grass, tall as a tree, or still as a rock.
He even wonders what it would be like to fly like the butterflies above him.
When he hops past a cat he's "too frightened to wonder anything". He hops back home as quickly as he can. Once home he receives a kiss from his parent and snuggles up with his siblings.
I once worked with a wonderful librarian who called Kevin Henkes her book husband - she loved everything he did. He's creates fantastic characters, tells wonderful stories, and his illustrations were always expressive with fun details sprinkled throughout. Little White Rabbit is yet another example of why he's such a wonderful children's author and illustrator. Henkes has said that he's been interested in creating books for younger children with "very direct, succinct stories." and he's done just that. This is a sweet little book with softly colored illustrations. Younger children will enjoy little white rabbit's explorations and the full page illustrations of his wanderings and wonderings will definitely engage younger ones. My kindergarten students were quite enthusiastic in their discussions over what it would be like if they were green or could fly like butterflies. I especially like Little White Rabbit because it's very easy to get children to talk about the story itself as well as apply their own thoughts and imagination to it (useful for both teachers and parents).
He even wonders what it would be like to fly like the butterflies above him.
When he hops past a cat he's "too frightened to wonder anything". He hops back home as quickly as he can. Once home he receives a kiss from his parent and snuggles up with his siblings.
Soon little white rabbit was home.
He still wondered about many things,
but he didn't wonder who loved him.
I once worked with a wonderful librarian who called Kevin Henkes her book husband - she loved everything he did. He's creates fantastic characters, tells wonderful stories, and his illustrations were always expressive with fun details sprinkled throughout. Little White Rabbit is yet another example of why he's such a wonderful children's author and illustrator. Henkes has said that he's been interested in creating books for younger children with "very direct, succinct stories." and he's done just that. This is a sweet little book with softly colored illustrations. Younger children will enjoy little white rabbit's explorations and the full page illustrations of his wanderings and wonderings will definitely engage younger ones. My kindergarten students were quite enthusiastic in their discussions over what it would be like if they were green or could fly like butterflies. I especially like Little White Rabbit because it's very easy to get children to talk about the story itself as well as apply their own thoughts and imagination to it (useful for both teachers and parents).
Verdict:
Little White Rabbit is a quiet and sweet book that will capture children's interest and is perfect for a younger audience. The illustrations are wonderfully detailed but simple at the same time, and use delicious pastel colors. (Seriously, this book made me want a cupcake so badly). This one could easily find a place in your home library. On a side note - Little White Rabbit would be a good baby shower gift. (The color scheme is perfect and any mother-to-be will easily be able to imagine herself sharing this book with her child.)
Related Reviews:
Teaching guide, activities, and an interesting video on how Henkes created Little White Rabbit can be found HERE.
Outside of a Dog review (I agree, I want to hug this book too.)
Brimful Curiosities review
Author & Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 2010
Format: Hardback, 48 pages
Genre: Children's books, Picture Books
How I Got It: from the library
Summary from book:
Six frolicking bunnies, two busy goats, and a very handy bear live harmoniously - though not without mishap - in this picture book charmer. What do the bunnies do when Mr. Goat drives by on his tractor and accidentally splashes them all over with mud? They hop over to Bear, who always knows just how to help - in this case, with the delicate cycle and a refreshing line dry! Two additional stories are even more surprising and giggle-worthy.
All's well that ends well in this eye-catching, endearing treat of a book, full of funny details and exhilarating artistry.
I had to think about this book for a bit. When I first saw it I was immediately captured by the colors and the illustration style and thought it would be a nice compliment to Little White Rabbit. My initial reading of Bunny Days went something like this:
"Oh look at these colors, the bunnies are so cute! Eeee!" (That's my weird happy/excited noise)
"Hrm, we might have to remind classes that you can't really put people or animals in the washing machine. Some of our kids might try it. It's a cute picture… maybe a little disturbing… The clothes line looks uncomfortable and bunnies in the basket look dead. Oh look, they snuggle… it's still disturbing."
"Clever titles and those bunnies look so cute in their burrow. OH MY GOD, ALL OF THE BUNNIES ARE BEING SUCKED OUT OF THEIR HOME!... What is the deal with hanging these guys on clothes lines?"
"The goat has trimming shears, I don't even have to turn the page to know this ends badly. AAAAHHH! HE CUT OFF THEIR TAILS!! THERE ARE SAD LITTLE BUNNIES RUNNING AROUND WITH NO TAILS!" (At this point I'm completely traumatized and quite possibly over caffeinated.)
"Hrm, we might have to remind classes that you can't really put people or animals in the washing machine. Some of our kids might try it. It's a cute picture… maybe a little disturbing… The clothes line looks uncomfortable and bunnies in the basket look dead. Oh look, they snuggle… it's still disturbing."
"Clever titles and those bunnies look so cute in their burrow. OH MY GOD, ALL OF THE BUNNIES ARE BEING SUCKED OUT OF THEIR HOME!... What is the deal with hanging these guys on clothes lines?"
"The goat has trimming shears, I don't even have to turn the page to know this ends badly. AAAAHHH! HE CUT OFF THEIR TAILS!! THERE ARE SAD LITTLE BUNNIES RUNNING AROUND WITH NO TAILS!" (At this point I'm completely traumatized and quite possibly over caffeinated.)
I really was saying this out loud and I'm pretty sure our new teachers all think I'm insane. I showed Bunny Days to a few teachers who all thought it was hysterical but that it should come with warnings for little ones and might even make some kids cry. The colors and the pictures are wonderful and the episodic stories are pretty cute and filled with visual jokes. Really, if you think about it, it's no more violent then some children's classics.
I don't know, I just can't get past my first reaction. This is out of character for me since I like picture books were people get eaten (like this one, this one, or this one). I have students who enjoyed this book but I really think this one depends on the audience and how it's interpreted. (And how much caffeine you may have had that morning.)
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
 |
| From taonyeu.com |
Verdict:
Um, it's really pretty? Seriously, the illustrations are great and just about everybody who's read the book has enjoyed it. I think this is one for each reader to look at and decide.
Related Reviews:
Kathryn's GoodReads review (Her first sentence really sums the book up well.)
Tasha Saecker's GoodReads review
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 11, 2011
Format: Hardback, 24 pages
Genre: Children's books, Picture Books
How I Got It: from the library
Summary from book:
What do the animals do when the snow falls to the ground and all the trees are bare? Some fly long distances, while some swim to warmer waters. Some take a long, warm sleep where they live, while others have a thick, cozy coat and can stay in the snow!
As with Il Sung Na's previous books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit is filled with rich illustrations, charming animals, and a simple, lyrical text—all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It's a gentle introduction to the ideas of adaptation, hibernation, and migration, and an exhuberant celebration of changing seasons.
When snow falls to the ground
and all the trees are bare,
everyone knows it's winter…
…including the rabbit.
Rabbit watches the animals around him prepare for winter. Some swim or fly away, some sleep, and others grow thicker hair. But all of the animals have their own way to get ready for the cold season including the rabbit!
 |
| Courtesy of Il Sung Na |
 |
| Courtesy of Il Sung Na |
 |
| Courtesy of Il Sung Na |
Verdict:
This is a beautiful book to look at and a pleasant story to read. If I had to pick an Il Sung Na book for the home library, I'd go with The Book of Sleep or The Thingamabob. Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit makes a nice additional resource for the classroom, but is a better library checkout for families.
Posts
2 comments:
Your review of the second book had me dying of laughter! Probably best to remind children that they really shouldn't put animals in the washer and then hang them on a clothesline to dry. Not good:) The illustrations in all of these are so cool though, it's fun to see the different styles!
January 3, 2012 12:14 PM@ Jenny - This is why you have to read a book before you share it with a class, you can't just grab something off the shelf. You never know what might pop up in the story. And seriously, with the young ones, you have to remind them of what's dangerous. I have a Houdini unit I do with my first graders and I have to remind them constantly not to try some of these tricks at home because some kids have gone home and tried to hold their breath in the bathtub.
January 3, 2012 12:24 PMPost a Comment