Rabbit Pirates: A Tale of the Spinach Main - Hardcover

Cox, Judy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152018328 ISBN 13: 9780152018320

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1999

Synopsis

When the sly fox scares the rabbits' customers away from their famous restaurant in the south of France, they have no choice but to revert to their pirate skills to put an end to the fox's evil ways.

About this title

About the Authors

Judy Cox is a grade school teacher and puts that experience to use when writing for children. A native of the San Francisco area, she now lives in Oregon.

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she has a lifelong interest in history and feminist issues. She divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

Grade 2-4-Monsieur Lapin and Monsieur Blanc, two rabbit friends with mysterious pasts, have hung up their scabbards and opened the Spinach Main, a fine restaurant in Provence. Former pirates? Perhaps, but they're not telling. Their restaurant, which serves the freshest salads and crusty homemade bread, attracts many diners, including Monsieur Reynard, a hungry fox with something other than salad on his mind. "Such tasty patrons! I mean, portions!" he comments, "I hope to eat here often." In the clever narrative, Cox spins out the funny details of the fox's attempts to capture the two rabbits and how they foil his plans. French phrases (defined in a glossary) sprinkled throughout give a continental flavor to the story, and the sometimes hilarious dialogue between the feisty restaurateurs begs to be read aloud. The beautiful watercolor illustrations are filled with energy and detail. The restaurant scenes provide a visual feast of vegetables and breads. McCully's paintings of the Provence landscape, especially when work is done and Monsieur Lapin and Monsieur Blanc "rest themselves on the terrace, glasses in hand, and watch the sunset," evoke a sense of peace and well-being. "Life is tres bonne at the Spinach Main." This is an outstanding book-unusual and clever!-Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

After trading swords for salads, two retired rabbit pirates enjoy a tr?s bonne life in Provence in this evocative and playful picture book. Monsieur Lapin and Monsieur Blanc often reminisce about their youthful days of swashbuckling, though the two rabbits are now much more content serving delicious greens and crusty homemade bread to the patrons of their restaurant, the Spinach Main. But when wily Monsieur Reynard, a fox, arrives for lunch one day, he inadvertently lets on that he finds the chefs themselves more appetizing than anything on the menu. Luckily, Monsieur Lapin and Monsieur Blanc have a recipe in their repertoire sure to cure the fox of his taste for a bunny buffet. Cox's (Third Grade Pet) droll delivery and well-chosen details immediately transport readers to sunny southern France. Her furry protagonists have the kind of friendship and intriguing shared history that suggest many stories to come. In dappled watercolor compositions, McCully (Mouse Practice; Mirette on the High Wire) bathes her rustic village structures and cozy interiors in warm sunshine, while scenes played out in shadowy moonlight lend just the right touch of suspense to the proceedings. A wonderful mix of humor, food and friendship, with just the right touch of je ne sais quoi. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152018328
• ISBN 13: 9780152018320
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: McCully Emily Arnold
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32