Rabbit-Cadabra! (Bunnicula and Friends, 4) - Hardcover

Howe, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688104029 ISBN 13: 9780688104023

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1993

Synopsis

The animals in the Monroe household jump to an alarming conclusion about vampire rabbits

About this title

About the Author

James Howe began his writing career with Bunnicula, which was published in 1979. Bunnicula has received numerous awards as a favorite among children throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was also the basis of a popular television special, a record and a tape, and has been published in the United Kingdom, as well as in German- and French-speaking countries. Howe so enjoyed writing as Harold -- the shaggy dog narrator of Bunnicula -- that he went on to write Howliday Inn, The Celery Stalks at Midnight and Nighty-Nightmare.

James Howe lives with his wife, Betsy Imershein, and their daughter, Zoe, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- The Monroe animals are back again in another zany adventure. Chester the cat and his dog friends, Howie and Harold, track Bunnicula to the amazing Karlovsky's magician's hat. Chester is convinced that Bunnicula is only one of many vampire rabbits to be pulled from the top hat, and the inventive trio tries to ward off their power with garlic-seasoned pizza. The fast-paced story is fun to read alone or with a group. The colorful single- and double-page watercolor spreads highlight the action and set the mood. The props and instructions for a magic trick are also included. A perfect introduction to Bunnicula and friends, the book is great for older children to read aloud to younger siblings. --Cassie Whetstone, Ridgeley Primary/Middle School, WV
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The latest Bunnicula picture book sustains that series' well-known comedy-of-errors combination of slapstick and intrigue. Once again the other animals in the Monroe household suspect impending danger from the pet rabbit, Bunnicula, whom they are convinced is a vampire. This time, thanks to Chester the cat (who maintains his impervious air of omniscience by making up what he doesn't know), Harold the dog (our narrator) and Howie the dachshund puppy believe that Bunnicula is in league with a visiting magician. When they learn that The Amazing Karlovsky plans to pull Bunnicula out of a hat during a show at the local school, they are sure that a horde of vampire bunnies will be loosed upon the audience. Can unspeakable horror be averted? Howe garnishes his story with winsome puns and indulgent irony before he unveils the requisite logical explanation. Daniel, who illustrated two Bunnicula middle readers, contributes watercolor, gouache and colored-pencil art; his composition, lighting and perspectives are theatrically exaggerated, especially in comparison with Leslie Morrill's rather staid pictures for Howe's 1991 Creepy-Crawly Birthday . The piece de resistance: a pull-out magic trick, clearly explained and easily executed. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

When Harold and pals Chester and Howie see the poster for ``The Amazing Karlovsky,'' who's to perform at the local school, they're alarmed: That's Bunnicula he's pulling out of a hat--will the world be overrun with vampire rabbits? After scavenging a dumpster for garlic, they dash to school (aromatic pizza trailing) and interrupt the magician just as a red-eyed rabbit jumps from his hat with a bunch of white carrots. Pleasurable pandemonium ensues; the magician is unmasked as the Monroes' Cousin Charlie; and a delighted young Toby Monroe learns how to get a rabbit out of a hat--a trick readers can mimic with instructions (and/or ``punch-out props'') in the back. The appealing animals in Daniel's illustrations burst their borders- -and almost off the pages. Predictable, but fans will love it. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0688104029
• ISBN 13: 9780688104023
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Schwartz Ms. Martin J., Daniel Alan