BUNNY BUILT

A hardworking bunny is fresh out of carrots, so he ventures out into his community to find some.

From the moment readers meet LaRue, it is clear that this bunny is exceptionally well-organized. His tools are hung neatly in order, his work area is spotless, and his safety goggles are perched atop his head, ready to be used when needed. On his search for sustenance, LaRue discovers that many of the animals in his community once had carrots, but they have recently all been lost to a disaster that is alluded to but not explicitly explained. Despite this hardship, the animals all present a pleasant affect. Ivy, a squirrel, even shares with LaRue a mysterious, large orange ball she has recently found. In pictures that accompany a text that doesn’t shy away from vocabulary-building words such as “industrious” and “doused,” LaRue is shown planting the mystery ball and growing an enormous carrot. Rather than hoard it all to himself, LaRue shares his harvest with his neighbors. The charming illustrations and narrative both provide ample opportunity for young readers and adults to interact by naming what they see, speculating on the characters’ feelings, and predicting what might happen next. Children captivated by construction will especially enjoy poring over the illustrations of LaRue’s tools and equipment.

This perky tale shows that the most enjoyable rewards are those that follow hard work and that true satisfaction comes when we share our good fortune with others.