Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Timid and "very, very little," Pip the rabbit keeps a running list of everything he's afraid of-and he can barely keep up. As raindrops fall, he imagines "a gobbler blowing bubbles at the bottom of the lily pond." Tree stumps? "Pip was 99.9 percent positive that they were the teeth of the giant wood troll." So when Pip hears a recurring "Raaarrr" sound, he flees into the woods. But as the noise persists, Pip discovers it's actually coming from his own hungry belly ("I'm the Scary Thing"). The revelation gives Pip newfound courage-and a twist shows that Pip's fears aren't entirely in his head. Gliori (Stormy Weather) fashions a sweet-tempered tale sure to hearten readers facing their own fears and difficulties. Her ink-and-watercolor compositions capture the emotion of the action via their scale (in the woods, pink-eared Pip is surrounded by large shadowy trees in midnight blue). The turnabout ending, which plays into the story's gentle sense of humor, and background scenes of Pip's family enjoying everyday activities in their cozy burrow are additional comforting touches. Ages 3-6. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Pip lives in a charming, snug burrow with his busy family members. But the young rabbit is fearful of many things, and "being scared all the time was very hard work." Awakened from a nap in the family garden one day by a strange "Raar" sound, he flees in terror only to find himself alone in a dark, scary forest, the "Raar" sound still echoing. When Pip realizes that it is really only his tummy growling, he stands tall with a new inner confidence that bravely propels him home past the giant wood troll, a leggy wiggler, and a pond gobble-just in time for dinner. The detailed watercolor and ink illustrations appeal in their depiction of a cozy animal world with the right touch of spookiness for very young children. While the story line is slight, the expressive language succeeds in creating enough tension for a fun read-aloud that will hold children captive.-Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT (c) Copyright 2012. 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 Horn Book Review
Pip, a very small rabbit, is afraid of everything. One afternoon he hears a loud roar and runs away terrified--but the roar follows him. In a twist that's a bit too abrupt, it's identified as his tummy rumbling; Pip realizes he is the scariest thing and becomes fearless. The watercolor illustrations in a dark, eerie palette detail his fearful imaginings. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Pip has many phobias, but when he faces one he overcomes all in this acceptable tale about surmounting one's fears. A very little rabbit, Pip has a long list of fears. Even the most ordinary of things--rainfall, bubbles, tree stumps--debilitate the fretful bunny. Trying to escape his terrors, he falls asleep in the garden and awakes at suppertime, only to hear a frightful "Raar." The dreadful noise follows him into the forest, until he's thoroughly spooked. But when Pip realizes his stomach is making the "Rarrr" and that he is the scariest of things, he's empowered. Former fears are dismissed as the rabbit hops home for dinner, and in a twist of events, the creepy creatures of Pip's world (which are real and not imagined), now tremble at the thought of him. While the author works hard to hit all the right points, the text's humor is labored, and Pip's complete change of heart feels contrived. The watercolor-and-pen illustrations are cleanly done in a pastel palette. Much like the text, it is methodically applied, but not masterfully executed. Adequate, but this book is but one on a crowded overcoming-fears shelf. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
