Hopper's Treetop Adventure

While searching for nuts in the forest, Hopper the hare meets a friendly squirrel and climbs up into his tree to spend time with him

PreSchool-Grade 2. One spring morning Hopper sets out to look for hazelnuts. His mother warns that he won't find any nuts in spring and that hares don't eat nuts because they can't climb trees. Hopper proves that she is wrong on both counts. After he helps a young squirrel find the nuts that had been buried in the fall, the squirrel shows the hare how to climb a tree. There they enjoy the nuts in safety, until Hopper, not knowing how to get back down, is rescued by a friendly stag. This gentle story of helping one another and fulfilling goals is illustrated with warm, misty watercolors in soft pastels.?Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A modest adventure involving an ambitious bunny, a tall tree, and some hazelnuts. One fine morning, Hopper informs his mother that he's heading for the woods to snack on hazelnuts. She gently reminds him that nuts aren't found in spring, and that hares don't usually eat nuts--``I suppose it's because we can't climb trees.'' Hopper pads off to the woods anyway, where he meets a squirrel. Hopper helps the squirrel locate his lost nut horde, and the squirrel shows Hopper how to get up into a tree where they can eat the nuts in peace. Getting down is another matter, but with the help of a friendly woodpecker and an accommodating stag, Hopper makes it back home with a hazelnut surprise for his mother, and a story about climbing trees as well: ``I don't think I'll do it again. It was too scary.'' That comes as a bit of a surprise, after all the fun he has had. Despite the overprotective edge, Pfister's peaceable kingdom is as tidy and secure as ever, a safe haven to which children can turn when the everyday world gets too confusing. The soft watercolors wash the whole event with angelic light. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 3^-5. Hopper the rabbit decides that he's sick of eating bark and leaves and would rather munch on nuts. His mother advises him that rabbits don't eat nuts because they can't climb trees. But Hopper ventures into the forest anyway, where he meets Squirrel, who shows him how to dig for nuts, climb trees, and swing from branch to branch. Hopper enjoys his day of adventures, but he realizes that he likes life as a rabbit. The soft watercolors in wintery blues and browns are contrasted with patches of springtime green. These inviting illustrations harmoniously complement the gentle, seasonal tale. The large, appealing format makes this latest story about Hopper a good choice for story hour audiences. April Judge