A Nice Surprise for Father Rabbit

Two generous little bunnies give Father Rabbit a warm welcome home on a cold winter night.

PreSchool-K-- Father Rabbit's train is delayed because of a snow storm, so Sonny Bunny and Honey Bunny plan a tea party for Father when he comes home. Readers will enjoy following the preparations: setting the table, making tea, making place cards, setting out Father's robe and slippers, and making a cake. Honey and Sonny are unable to stay awake until their father returns home; when he does arrive, cold and hungry, his bad mood dissipates when he sees their surprise. Preschoolers will enjoy this warm story of two children who prepare something special for their father. The clear, bright, uncluttered crayon drawings outlined in black will be seen easily by children in story hour. The text is basically a step-by-step description of the drawings. While this type of writing may not be of the best literary quality, it will encourage beginning readers. Many children will enjoy seeing themselves in the story, as well as the story itself. --Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Mangas's first picture book has a simple storyline: Honey Bunny and Sonny Bunny wait for their father to arrive home from work on a snowy night, and decide to prepare tea for him. They set out teacups, pull his favorite chair up to the table, leave him slippers and a robe, bake and frost a cake, set out his newspaper and get an album of his favorite music ready to play. But they are asleep in bed when Father Rabbit finally gets home. They don't see him sink into his chair with relief, nor do they see him smile and forget his bad mood. Both book and bunnies have a generous spirit that is hard to resist; Levitt's pictures express the gentle sentiments of the text in black line art with watercolor washes, adding humorous touches throughout. A nice surprise, indeed. Ages 2-4.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.