BUNNY'S STAYCATION (MAMA'S BUSINESS TRIP)

Bunny is very unhappy when his mother announces that she is going on a business trip.

Maybe he can accompany her, but Mama says her “business trip is just for grown-ups.” She leaves him with a five-day calendar with a red heart marking her return on Friday. Bunny is still upset at bedtime and wishes “we could go somewhere little bunnies can go, too.” This plaintive cry starts Papa’s creative juices flowing. Papa and Bunny make a cardboard car and visit a beach on Tuesday, a “wintry wonderland” on Wednesday, and a jungle on Thursday. After Bunny has a meltdown when he’s reminded of Mama, Papa suggests that they make a “welcome home sign,” but Bunny has his own thoughts. He and Papa transform the living room into “CAMP MAMA,” with cardboard trees, a pup tent, a fake fire, and lots of real marshmallows. These fully dressed white bunnies live in a suburban house. Its paintings and photos feature tall-eared rabbits (except for the child, whose short right ear sports a jaunty, purple paper crown). There’s even a concert poster for “Jimmy Bunnett.” The amusing, digitally finished ink-and-watercolor illustrations are more of a draw than the simple, brief text, and the recurring calendar emphasizes the days of the week.

Children whose parents travel frequently for their jobs are probably this book’s best audience, but others may get ideas for their own imaginary travels.