Again! said Rabbit Marjorke Henrichs Scallywag Press
Rabbit is off to spend a day on the beach with Mum and Dad Rabbit. “Time to relax,” says Dad as they arrive; little does he know. Rabbit has brought along his bucket and spade, a kite, Ted and Elephant and a ball. First, Rabbit and Dad kick the ball; “AGAIN!” Rabbit says. Dad then suggests they fly the kite. It starts well with the kite going higher and higher but thanks to a gull, Dad ends up entangled in the string and needing of a rest. Mum steps in to help Rabbit build a ‘beautiful’ sandcastle. That’s not quite what happens however, though Rabbit has a great time
and you can guess what he says.
Then into the sea they all wade. Initially Rabbit has fun jumping the waves and judging from what they say, so too do Dad and Mum; but then comes a very large wave and a change of response from Rabbit and parents. By now, Rabbit has had enough of their previous activities so his response to a snack is enthusiastic until, having shared his favourite bun with Bird, a lot of winged friends turn up and …
How will the rabbit family’s day end: will they be happy or fed up?
With its repeat ‘Again!’ this third story in the series is every bit as fun for very young listeners as the previous two: its simple patterned text also makes it great for beginning readers to try for themselves.
Baby Bunny’s Easter Surprise Helen Baugh and Nick East Harper Collins Children’s Books
With an appropriately bouncy rhyming narrative and equally spirited illustrations, team Baugh and East entertain young humans (and adult sharers) with what happens when one adorable-looking baby bunny Letty, trails her Easter Bunny mummy one Easter morning on her delivery of yummy chocolate eggs intended for the woodland dwelling creatures. The problem is though that every egg that is so carefully placed, be it high up in a tree, low down beside the pond or a-top toadstools is so simply irresistible that little Letty, with all her senses alert, just cannot stop herself (even though she knows it’s not the right thing to do) from taking just one ‘teeny-weeny, titchy taste’ – and she’s overcome by such a superchoccylicious sensation that … I’m sure you can guess where this is going. No matter, thinks the baby bunny, nobody else can possibly know what she’s been up to.
However, despite Letty’s repeated assertion that her misdeeds are undetectable, there’s absolutely no fooling her Mummy. Time to make amends; but that leaves mother and baby with an empty basket and Little Bunny eggless.
Or …
Much better and definitely longer lasting than chocolate eggs, get this for your little ones as an Easter treat.
Ready! said Rabbit Marjoke Henrichs Scallywag Press
As this second episode in the life of Dad rabbit and his little one begins, the clock on the wall says 9 o’clock. Dad announces that it’s a good day for a visit to the park and immediately the youngster starts enthusing about possibilities such as picnicking as well as mentioning all kinds of things to take along while Dad urges “Time to get ready!”.
However it takes several changes of clothes before Dad is satisfied with the suitability of Rabbit’s attire. Then there’s the business of assembling snacks and with that completed, Rabbit finds more opportunities for getting distracted from the task in hand.
With the clock at 11.20 Rabbit finally announces, “READY!”
Now it’s Dad’s turn to delay their departure: first there’s a phone call; then some important items are missing (hidden in plain sight) which they can’t leave without
and it’s not until one o’clock that both parties agree that they’re ready to sally forth – hurrah!
Adult sharers of this story will appreciate the gentle irony of the situation perhaps more than young children. The latter will especially enjoy Dad’s drollery and the numerous opportunities to join in with the oft repeated “READY!” as well as the delightful details on every spread.
Some of those slightly older than Rabbit might try reading the book themselves once an adult has read it aloud: the large clear print, close match of text and illustrations, and the natural repetition all make it ideal as they encourage anticipation and prediction, both of which are vital elements of early literacy development.
Rabbit is one contrary little creature. He replies in the negative to everything his mum tells him to do. It’s a firm “NO!’ to getting dressed, eating his breakfast carrots,
going outside to play, stopping for a snack and more. Throughout the day his recalcitrant responses issue forth but despite what he says, he always finds just the right inducement to comply with his parent’s requests.
Fortunately this patient Mum knows how best to manage her spirited little one’s behaviour. She continues cajoling him right through bath time
to bedtime and the book’s satisfying conclusion.
With its delightful irony, Marjoke Henrichs’ debut picture book is pitch perfect for sharing with preschoolers. The story’s structure cleverly offers an important reading lesson – that of prediction – and as they view the unfolding action in Marjoke’s chucklesome scenes, little ones will delight in chorusing NO! along with the protagonist at every opportunity.
I’m pretty sure most adults, especially parents and teachers of young children, will have encountered a little rabbit somewhere along the way.
Red Reading Hub - Jillrbennett's Reviews of Children's Books 