Fear the bunny

Richard T. Morris, 1969-

Book - 2019

In a forest where everyone fears rabbits, a fierce tiger tries to persuade the animals that they should fear him, instead.

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Subjects
Genres
Humorous fiction
Picture books
Published
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers [2019]
Language
English
Main Author
Richard T. Morris, 1969- (author)
Other Authors
Priscilla Burris (illustrator)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
"A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book."
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 23 x 29 cm
ISBN
9781481478007
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

Doing a famous poem no justice whatsoever but (counterintuitively) mining it for an amusing twist, this episode opens with a hedgehog reading to a circle of enthralled forest animals: Bunnies, bunnies, burning bright, in the forests of the night . Excuse me, says a tiger, stepping out of the bushes, that's NOT how it goes. Ignoring the other animals' assertions that in that forest it is, the tiger continues to scoff at the notion that bunnies could be dangerous. . .until one hops into view, then more, in a thundering herd that sends the startled cat scurrying. Burris likewise goes for cute, with cartoon illustrations featuring a domesticated-looking tiger that resembles Hobbes of Calvin & Hobbes fame, and goggle-wearing but otherwise normal, not exactly dangerous-looking bunnies. Readers who enjoy Alan Durant's Big Bad Bunny and like tales of lagomorphic role-reversal will get a chuckle from the boasting tiger's discomfiture and as the full poem, with its original spelling of Tyger, closes out the episode, at least some exposure to the thrilling fierceness of Blake's language and imagery.--John Peters Copyright 2019 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

A little tiger comes upon a circle of forest animals who are listening in fear and fascination as a hedgehog recites, "Bunnies, bunnies, burning bright, in the forests of the night-." Tiger, who clearly knows his William Blake (there's a hat tip to the poet in the end papers), begs to differ. Flexing muscles in both arms, Tiger declares the poem is about "ME! The most feared animal in the forest. There's nothing scary about a bunny." Darkness falls, and the animals earnestly urge the ferocious feline to join them in taking cover ("You are in grave danger"), but Tiger continues to scoff as one rabbit arrives ("What's he going to do? CUTE me to death?") and just barely avoids being trampled by what is evidently a nightly stampede of headlamp-wearing rabbits. Morris (Sheep 101) and Burris (Natsumi!) don't make quite enough of the comically dreaded event itself. But the setup, with its sweet-natured, crayonlike drawings providing counterpoint to ominously-and comically-escalating dialogue, is faultless and funny. Ages 4-8 (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-Who has ever been afraid of a cute little bunny? In this literary picture book twist, readers find that even a tiger can be afraid of something small and fluffy. Tiger, one of the most feared creatures of the forest, comes across a group of woodland creatures reading poetry. He steps in to correct the version of William Blake's "The Tyger" being read. Tiger is proud of being the star of the poem but the woodland creatures have replaced the word tiger with bunnies instead. Tiger, of course, thinks this is absolutely ridiculous. "What is a bunny going to do, hop on my head?" he asks the woodland creatures. The woodland creatures keep trying to warn Tiger that he must hide and be afraid. Tiger continues to make light of the feared bunnies suggesting that he should go protect a vegetable garden. Suddenly, the woodland creatures begin to scamper off and hide as they hear the feared bunnies coming. Tiger continues to protest until a bunny shows up. Tiger still does not run and hide but as the whole band of bunnies arrive he realizes he should have taken the woodland creatures advice seriously. Tiger takes off with bunnies hot on his tail. Blake's poem is appended for readers and teacher alike to reference. The illustrations are colorful and very appealing to young listeners. VERDICT An enjoyable read-aloud about a fierce creature finding his own weakness that deserves a place on most -picture book shelves.-Erin Olsen, The -Brearley School, NY © Copyright 2019. 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

A tiger can't believe it's being upstaged in this picture-book riff on William Blake's famous poem.A group of zoologically diverse animals huddle around a fire, listening to a porcupine read from a chilling poem: "Bunnies, bunnies, burning bright, / in the forests of the night." An incredulous tiger interrupts, saying that the poem is actually about it. But a squirrel matter-of-factly states that "Here, it's bunnies, bunnies.' " The tiger still doesn't understand why the animals would be so afraid of bunnies but not afraid of tigers and tries to explain why it, an apex predator, is far more threatening. The smaller animals remain unimpressed, calmly telling the tiger that "In this forest, we fear the bunny" and that it should "Hide now, before it's too late." An amusing and well-done premise slightly disappoints at the climax, with the tiger streaking away in terror before a horde of headlamp-wearing bunnies, but eager readers never learn what, exactly, the bunnies would do if they caught up. But at the end, a group of tigers joins the other animals in their awestruck reading of the adapted Blake poem, included in full at the end. Cute, fuzzy illustrations contrast nicely with the dark tone and forest background.A quirky, fun story that will appeal to young audiences looking for a little bit of scare, with a premise so good it overcomes a weak conclusion. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.