Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Teetu feels like the odd bunny out in his big, often boisterous family; he can't find even a corner of the crowded burrow that he can call his own. "There were so many bunnies./ It. Wasn't. Even. Funny," writes Ferry (Caveboy Crush). Even Teetu's new alphabet book doesn't offer an escape: "B IS FOR BUNNY" it proclaims. Badly in need of a bunny break, Teetu sneaks out into the world beyond the burrow, where "everything looked different./ It was wonderful." Inspired by the wildlife he sees and the gracefully undulant trees that he imagines to be an armadillo, hippo, and giraffe, among other animals, Teetu is inspired to create a bunny-less book of his own. But with his new sense of independence comes a realization that a loving home, however tight the quarters, isn't so bad after all; when his family creates a "chain of bunnies" to lead him back, Teetu realizes that B can stand for "belonging," too. Graphic designer Lam makes an impressive debut, with a quirky, capsule-shaped cast and striking grayscale digital images, punctuated by splashes of red and letterpress textures. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Avid reader Teetu the bunny feels overwhelmed by the crowding in his burrow and craves solitude to create his own book. Clad in bow tie and suspenders, he takes his backpack and flashlight into the forest. Resident animals observe him sketching and ambling around all day and into the night. When it's time to head home, the lost and hungry hero is homesick. Luckily, all the bunnies in his extended family have created a chain of rabbits to lead him back, where everyone raves about his animal alphabet book. Lam's digital illustrations make the most of Ferry's text. The trees in Teetu's forest inspire him as the flowing branches form animal shapes, from flamingos to giraffes. In addition, each bunny's depiction presents a distinct character. Pearl gray backgrounds feature a black, white, and soft red palette. VERDICT Introverts will relate to Teetu's dilemma, and the gentle plot demonstrates how nature may stir creativity.--Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
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Review by Horn Book Review
Bunny Teetu, a sensitive soul, craves solitude, but its hard to come by in the small burrow he shares with his parents and siblings, aunt, uncle, and cousins. Bunnies are everywhereeven in his alphabet book (B is for...). One night, Teetu decides to break out of the burrow and embarks on a heros journey: B is for brave. B is for bold. B is not only for...bunnies. With an artists eye, he finds the moonlit forest thrilling: Soon nothing looked familiar. Everything looked different. It was wonderful. Teetu spends the following day peacefully observing his surroundings and the curious, quiet forest creatures he encounters. He began writing and sketching and creating. He would make...his own book! After another night, Teetu becomes tired. And hungry. And lost. Hes quickly found by his family, who celebrates his returnand his book. Lams elegant and inviting digitally rendered illustrations, which recall linocut prints, feature a contemplative palette of steel gray, slate blue, and black with red accents. The artist effectively uses white space to enhance mood and as a stage for his balletic trees, some of which bend fancifully into wild animal shapes. Unlike the protagonist in Margaret Wise Browns Runaway Bunny, Ferry and Lams dapper hero, unencumbered by any parental agenda, is free to roam. And to return back home. Kitty Flynn March/April 2020 p.54(c) Copyright 2020. 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
An abundance of bunnies in the burrow propels one of their number to explore the world beyond.Everywhere Teetu the bunny looks, there are bunnies. "When he turned leftbunnies. When he turned rightbunnies." They're even in his books: "A IS FOR ANTEATER. B IS FOR BUNNY." When Teetu complains, his mother counsels tolerance, but rambunctious siblings and cousins in one very small space are certainly cause for a burrow breakout. Under "sunlightstarlightmoonlight, [and] flashlight," Teetu braves a journey filled with new sights that fuel his imagination. Writing and sketching, Teetu creates a book of his own inspired by the curious forest creatures he encounters and the inky, twisty trees that surround them. "B is not only forbunnies." The need for a break satiated, Teetu heads back home with some unexpected help and an appreciation for his cozy, albeit bustling, abode and all the many meanings of B. Debut illustrator Lam's illustrations emulate print techniques and stick to a palette primarily made up of slates, black, and white. His bendy trees that curl into the shapes of animals are visual stimuli for Teetu and readers alike. Elliptical and circular elements recur throughout and occasionally frame Ferry's text. Accents of red solely adorn the band of bunnies and their belongings.An enjoyable tale of the marvels of adventuring and the comfort of home. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
