Little Rabbit Goes to School - Hardcover

Horse, Harry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 156145320X ISBN 13: 9781561453207

Publisher: Peachtree, 2004

Synopsis

It's time for irrepressible Little Rabbit to start school and discover the opportunities and challenges of independence.

Today is a special day. It is Little Rabbit's first day of school, and he has decided to bring along his favorite toy, Charlie Horse. The busy classroom is crowded with little rabbits and lots of activities.

His new teacher, Mrs. Morag, seems very happy to see him and Charlie Horse—that is, until Charlie Horse disrupts story time, dances on top of the desk during music time, and jumps into the cake batter at snack time. At the end of the day, even Little Rabbit realizes that Charlie Horse may not be ready for school after all.

Harry Horse hits all the right notes in this gently humorous, reassuring story that depicts how children cope with a big transition. Readers will identify with the Little Rabbit's conflicting desires for independence and reassurance.

About this title

About the Author

Harry Horse wrote and illustrated many books for children, including the popular Little Rabbit picture books and several middle grade novels. He was also a political cartoonist for several national newspapers in the United Kingdom. He passed away in 2007.

From the Back Cover

Every spring, the Chinese New Year is heralded by noise and sound. A young girl, frightened into sleeplessness by the celebrations outside, takes comfort in her grandmother's wise, soothing words as she tells the story of the origins of the Chinese New Year.

Reviews

Starred Review. PreSchool-K–It's a special morning for Little Rabbit–his first day of school. Over his mother's mild objections, he insists on taking his wooden toy. Unfortunately, Charlie Horse misbehaves terribly: he runs around during storytime, jumps into the cake batter, and gets Little Rabbit lost when their class goes for a walk. All ends well, however, and when he is safely back at home in his mother's lap, Little Rabbit decides Charlie Horse is not ready for school, but that he most certainly is. Fashioned in warm colors, the watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations are wonderful. Along with the engaging text, they endearingly capture the diffidence and anxiety Little Rabbit feels as he faces an unfamiliar situation, and his gradual realization that this new experience is fun. No matter how many titles you have on this topic, be sure to make room for Little Rabbit.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The beguiling bunny introduced in Little Rabbit Lost here heads to the schoolhouse, leaping out of bed on the first day of class with abundant enthusiasm: " 'Now we are big,' said Little Rabbit proudly. 'We are going to school.' " He insists on bringing his special toy, Charlie Horse, whom he has gussied up with a red ribbon, and bounds off to the schoolhouse through a charmingly imagined forest of giant trees, thistles and mushrooms. But Charlie Horse soon shows a penchant for mischief, interrupting storytime by galloping across the teacher's shoes and diving into a bowl of cake batter. At recess, Little Rabbit won't share him with the other kids ("Charlie Horse does not want to play with you"). The author lets young readers decide whether Charlie Horse is the naughty one or if Little Rabbit is pulling the strings, acting out in response to a scary new situation (though he offers a sly hint with "Miss Morag let Charlie Horse rest on her desk while Little Rabbit painted a picture"). Whoever the culprit, youngsters just starting school will find Little Rabbit's ups and downs highly familiar as he navigates a rocky first day, perpetually in motion, adorable in his trademark ear-shaped cap and red raincoat. In the end, Little Rabbit triumphs over the day's dramas and decides Charlie Horse should stay at home—a decision that children will relate to as they, too, begin to discover the delights of independence. Ages 2-6.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PreS-K. In this charming if somewhat overextended story, Horse revisits an idea from Little Rabbit Lost (2002). Little Rabbit is eager for the first day of school, but he isn't prepared to leave behind his string toy, Charlie Horse. And wouldn't you know it, Charlie Horse acts out in class. Later, when easily distracted Little Rabbit strays during a nature walk (led away by Charlie), it takes some quick thinking and a tune Little Rabbit learned from his teacher to bring an adult to the rescue. The idea of getting lost at school isn't likely to reassure children already nervous about their first day, but Horse balances the uncomfortable concept with an easy-to-grasp message about paying attention and some winning artwork. Diminutive rabbits scamper across the pages in full spreads and spot art, with Little Rabbit easily distinguishable by his blue bunny suit. Kids may feel wiggly enough to act like Charlie Horse, but some will take their cue from Little Rabbit, who concludes that mischief has no place in school. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Peachtree
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 156145320X
• ISBN 13: 9781561453207
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32