Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-It's early evening, but there's still time to play, so Daddy Bunny entices Baby Bunny to enjoy the remaining hours. The two chase each other, laughing and leaping in the lush, green woods. They whoop, and they swoop, and Owl calls out, "Whoo." Mouse plays peek-a-boo, and Bear joins in the fun as well. But after so much excitement and play, Baby Bunny whimpers, "Boo-hoooooo!" The youngster is very tired, so his father picks him up and carries him home, singing, "Hush-a-bye, Little One," as the sun sets over the meadow. In the last illustration, the pair is snuggled up for the night. "I love you, Little One," he says. "Sweet dreams and good night." The gentle, doe-eyed characters are rendered in soft-toned watercolors. Each page has very few words, which are printed in large type. This book will be suitable for one-on-one sharing and in collections where additional stories about fathers are desired.-Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2014. 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
Big Daddy Rabbit gets Little One all riled up before bedtime by playing and shouting with all the other animals in the woods. Little One recognizes when it's time to settle down, though, and they snuggle and go to sleep. Energetic rhymes pair with lush, emotive illustrations of bears and rabbits and owls saccharinely dancing together. (c) Copyright 2015. 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
"Down in the woods in the evening sun, / Big Daddy Rabbit said, Come, Little One!' " So begins this tender book as a furry father and son make the most of the day's last light to play. Casey's rollicking, rhyming text describes their romp, which draws the attention and enthusiastic participation of other woodland creatures. Soon Owl, Mouse and Bear"the big happy crew""[dance] and they [shout] and all [sing] Ya-hoooooo!' " But when some whirling and twirling finds the forest friends piled up "in a glorious heap," poor Little One is left a bit sad and shaken. Fuge masterfully paints cheery bucolic scenes in watercolor. His close-ups of the rabbits convincingly show the soft texture of their fur as well as their loving bond through their large eyes and postures. Although the rabbits often run upright instead of on all fours, young readers won't mind. Instead, they will relate to Little One's abrupt swing from rambunctious fun one moment and overwhelmed unhappiness at the unexpected result in the next. All of the animals, regardless of size, show genuine concern at the sight of Little One's tears. But Big Daddy Rabbit knows exactly what is neededa hug and a lullaby gently soothe. Sure to satisfy toddlers and preschoolers, this father-child tale will warm many hearts. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
