The Black Rabbit - Hardcover

Leathers, Philippa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076365714X ISBN 13: 9780763657147

Publisher: Candlewick, 2013

Synopsis

In this clever picture book, a debut author-illustrator introduces a plucky rabbit and the new companion that he just can’t shake.

Rabbit has a problem. There’s a large black rabbit chasing him. No matter where he runs — behind a tree, over the river — the shadowy rabbit follows. Finally in the deep, dark wood, Rabbit loses his nemesis — only to encounter a real foe! Kids who like to be in on the secret will revel in this humorous look at shadows and friendship, brought to light by a talented animator.

About this title

About the Author

Philippa Leathers studied graphic design, illustration, and animation, and currently works as a freelance animator and illustrator. The Black Rabbit is her first picture book, while her animation credits include work on the Charlie and Lola and Peppa Pig TV series. She lives in England with her family, a gray tabby cat named Emmi, and two rabbits named Benji and Kiki, who inspired her to write The Black Rabbit, as where one goes the other follows close behind.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 3-When a little white rabbit leaves his burrow one gloriously sunny day, he see a looming black rabbit. Readers will understand that the figure is only his shadow, but the unknowing bunny runs, with Black Rabbit on his heels. He tries hiding behind a tree and swimming in a river, but the creature is still there, following him to the other side. Desperate, he runs into the deep, dark woods where he finally escapes the black rabbit. But another threat, a wolf, awaits him there, with "two eyes shining brightly," and Rabbit runs back out of the woods with Wolf close on his tail. Will the wolf devour him? Is Black Rabbit still out there, waiting for him? In this simple picture-book tale of light and shadows, the protagonist learns that what frightens us most may turn out to be our saving grace. It's a tad hair-raising at times but the ending will please. Leathers's rabbit is charming, traveling on two feet, with an exaggerated stuffed animal form that is endearing and reassuring.-C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A little white rabbit can’t seem to ditch the hulking black rabbit following him. Kids will love being in on the joke here, as Black Rabbit is actually Rabbit’s shadow. Rabbit thinks he can lose his pursuer behind a tree, but as soon as he steps back out, there he is. Same deal when Rabbit takes a dip in the river—once he puts paw onshore, “The Black Rabbit climbed out of the water, too!” So our intrepid bunny runs into the “deep, dark wood,” where surely he’ll be safe. The two glowing eyes in the darkness, however, don’t belong to Black Rabbit but to a three-toothed wolf, and there’s only one thing able to shoo him away. Debut author-illustrator Leathers’ soft, textured watercolors are never very frightening (even the wolf is more dopey than fearsome), which makes this story—one that’s ultimately about friendship—ideal for the littlest kids. Befuddled animals are always adorable, and Rabbit, with his expressive ears and large eyes, is no exception. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ann Kelley

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 076365714X
• ISBN 13: 9780763657147
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Leathers Philippa
• Number of pages: 40