A trio of rascally bunnies discovers the illicit benefits of deceit and turns their forest topsy-turvy. When they awake grouchy bear during play, Bouncer, Buster, and Baby are worried—until they come up with the crafty notion to blame it on an imaginary friend. “Alex did it” becomes their handy pardon, allowing them to romp through the forest with nary a hint of remorse. Their tour of mischief includes pilfering Squirrel’s secret stash of nuts, playing a mean-spirited joke on Badger, and accidentally destroying Rabbit’s garden. However, the minor miscreants get their comeuppance in the form of the new rabbit they encounter, who really is named Alex. Rather than let the innocent hare bear the burden of their misdeeds, the repentant trio makes a public atonement for their transgressions. Weigelt’s (Old Beaver, not reviewed, etc.) tale cautions young readers that naughtiness always has its consequences and brave little bunnies accept responsibility for their actions. Kadmon’s (Little Elephant Runs Away, 2001, etc.) illustrations are comprised of multiple layers of color. Random glimpses of the under-colors give the richly hued pictures a uniquely textured appearance. The bunnies’ cuddly mien, combined with their wide-eyed expressions, robs their antics of malice; instead, they appear adorably roguish. A playful tale of mischief and redemption with universal appeal. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7358-1578-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Turkey’s in the “kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving...and you’re the main course.” Accordingly, Turkey tries on disguise after disguise, from horse to cow to pig to sheep, at each iteration being told that he looks nothing like the animal he’s trying to mimic (which is quite true, as Harper’s quirky watercolors make crystal clear). He desperately squeezes a red rubber glove onto his head to pass as a rooster, only to overhear the farmer suggest a poultry plan B when he’s unable to turn up the turkey. Turkey’s horrified expression as he stands among the peppers and tomatoes—in November? Chalk it up to artistic license—is priceless, but his surroundings give him an idea. Good fun, but it may lead to a vegetarian table or two. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5529-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2009
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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