Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A bunny learns about self-acceptance and belonging in this Christmas Eve fantasy, energized by whimsical ink-and-watercolor art by Gorbachev, Martin's collaborator on All for Pie, Pie for All. Little Bunny is dismayed when his taller younger brothers place his favorite ornament-a fire truck-too high on the tree for him to reach. After falling asleep under the tree, he awakens to find that the ornaments have come to life; willing himself to shrink so he can scuttle up the tree, Little Bunny drives the fire truck from branch to branch, reverting to normal size at daybreak. The promise of Christmas Eve magic and dramatic tree-bough adventures will draw readers in. Ages 2-4. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-It's Christmas Eve, and Little Bunny, disgruntled at being the smallest member of the family, falls asleep under the tree. During the night, he awakens to find that all the ornaments have come alive; shrinking himself down to their size, he plays with them all night long. Though they invite him to stay and play with them forever, he hears his family waking up on Christmas morning and decides that his place is with them. Though Gorbachev's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are warm and lively, the story rambles on before coming to an anticlimactic finish. Cute, but not likely to warrant a "read it again!"-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An extra-large format and engaging illustrations of an adorable rabbit family help to elevate this story about a bunny boy who interacts with Christmas-tree ornaments that come alive on Christmas Eve.When Little Bunny is teased by his older brother about his diminutive size, the young rabbit pouts and falls asleep under the Christmas tree. Some friendly ornaments encourage him to "think small," and through some unexplained Christmas magic, Little Bunny shrinks down to the size of an ornament himself. He climbs up the tree, chats with the little characters and then drives his favorite fire-truck ornament through the branches and right up to the tree-top star. The ornaments invite Little Bunny to stay with them, but he misses his family, so he returns to reality in time for the Christmas morning celebration. Gorbachev's expressive watercolor-and-ink illustrations make Little Bunny's flight of fancy seem quite possible and realistic, and his buck-toothed bunny rabbits are endearing in their comical outfits, with clever touches like glasses and hair bows. The story is a little too long and wordy, though, too often telling what Little Bunny thinks rather than showing.The saving touch of magic in the illustrations makes readers care about Little Bunny and his Christmas Eve quest.(Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
