Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-"Fox and Rabbit lived quite far away, in a bright little house beyond the molehills." Together, the two friends have 11-and-a-half small adventures as they try different ways to say "Good Night"; camp out on the top of the hill; catch a fish in Kangaroo's pouch; sleep upside down like bats; narrowly and hilariously escape a run-in with naughty, old, umbrella-toting Granny Wolf; and more. No matter what, Fox and Rabbit keep bedtime novel with their curiosity, creativity, and loyalty to each other. Translated from German, these witty and poignant stories are best read in order as they build upon one another, referring back to previous escapades. The gentle wordplay translates well. No story is longer than 11 pages, with most coming in around three or four. The final vignette ties everything together with a sweet message of friendship and reveals Rabbit as the narrator. The illustrations, which appear to be watercolor and ink, toggle between full-bleed and spot art. Both layouts augment the whimsical attitude of the narration. Crosshatched textures and a comforting mixture of soft, warm highlights and calming cool colors on thick, creamy paper create a welcoming, rural atmosphere. Don't miss the amusing book cover hidden under the jacket. -VERDICT This is a delightful collection of short stories to be read aloud all in one glorious bedtime gulp or rationed to last a week. Perfect for public library collections.-Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library © Copyright 2018. 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
A charming collection of stories (translated from the German) about going to sleep and saying goodnight are told through the experience of best friends Fox and Rabbit, who sleep in the same bed. Each small tale features one friend or both having trouble falling asleep; misunderstandings and curiosity stir up trouble but are reassuringly resolved. Quaint line and wash illustrations add to the appeal of this sweet, old-fashioned bedtime read-aloud. (c) Copyright 2019. 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
A collection of short stories about a friendship between a fox and a rabbit.Young readers can take these bedtime entries singly or a few at a time, depending on evening energy. Friendship stories in the tradition of Frog and Toad or Elephant and Piggie are perennial favorites; however, the personalities here aren't as distinct or as humorously juxtaposed as in the former two pairs. Simple chapter titles ("First Story") are refreshingly clear if unusually nondescriptive; oddly, the conspicuously flagged "half" storythe "Eighth Story (and a Half)"is not distinguished in any obvious way, including brevity. Story quality is uneven; several in which Fox and Rabbit can't fall asleep truly engage. The first one, though, carries a whiff of stereotype reinforcement when Fox, covered inadvertently in chimney dust, is mistaken "for the wolf in the leather jacket" and assumed to be a threat due to his coal color. Wolf's aggressive response to a perceived insult may be the "half" story; if so, it's a jarring addition. Watercolors in earthy tan, green, aqua, and gray, outlined in scratchy black, fit the rustic setting. Full-color picturessome spot, others full-pageadd interest; white space, some relatively text-heavy pages, and a trim size smaller than a traditional picture book signal suitability for emerging independent readers.The design and premise are appealing, but the overall execution doesn't measure up. (Fiction. 5-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
