Review by Booklist Review
Poor Rabbit! Despite his best efforts to be cantankerous, he's either distracted or outmaneuvered at every turn. Invariably shouting "NO!" as his offstage mother tells him to get dressed, to have breakfast, to go outside to play, and then to come in and have a bath, Rabbit discovers first that his favorite top and pants have been laid out, then that yummy carrots have been set on the table, and finally that a tub has been irresistibly prepared with bubbles and rubber ducky. When it's time to come out ("NO!") for cuddles, the chorus changes to "YES!" before reverting at "Off to bed" to "NO, no, no, no . . . zzzzzzz." This spell of negativity will certainly strike chords of familiarity in parents and younger children. More, even not-so-young audiences will delightedly join in the loud chorus--and also enjoy Henrichs' scribbly cartoon illustrations as the bumptious bunny puts on his clothes all by himself (after a few tries), sneaks a cookie to follow up the carrots, and scowls in dirty defiance before coming in for the cozy nighttime ritual.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Rabbit wakes to a bluebird singing at his window and his mother calling, "Time to get dressed." Rabbit's first word? "NO!" In an all-too-familiar call and response between a parent and young child, Rabbit shows initial resistance to his daily routine. His (mostly offscreen) mother offers reminders for every next step, and each one is met with a bellowed "NO!" Time for breakfast? "NO!" -- until Rabbit decides that those breakfast carrots look pretty tasty. Time to play outside? "NO!" -- until he remembers that his favorite rain boots are perfect for stomping in the mud. The pattern continues throughout the little bunny's day until, at last, he has a reason to give a different answer to one of his mother's questions. A simple palette of primary and secondary colors imbues the sketchlike illustrations with a child's sensibility. The varied text size -- large for each and every "NO!" -- and the story's comical repetition encourage engagement and maybe even silly participation during shared readings. Young listeners will take delight in the playful and fiercely independent Rabbit, and the sweet surprise ending will remind parents and other adults that sometimes the answer will be a wholehearted "Yes!" Grace McKinney May/June 2021 p.110(c) Copyright 2021. 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
Rabbit's first answer is always "No." Even if he has no real reason to refuse, he is just too contrary to acquiesce. So when Mom asks him to get dressed, he immediately answers no--but his favorite clothing items wait for him. Breakfast time? No. But those juicy carrots look delicious. Outdoor fun calls to him in spite of his refusal to leave the house. The pattern continues, with bathtime causing the greatest resistance, but Mom brings him in to enjoy the bubbles and his rubber duck, and now he is reluctant to get out. Henrichs uses spare, repetitive language and perfectly coordinated, simply rendered cartoon illustrations to highlight Rabbit's initial reluctance to comply followed by joy in the activities. Each refusal shows Rabbit's skeptical expression slowly morphing into delight as he engages in the previously scorned endeavors. Even as little readers relate to and giggle at Rabbit's antics, awareness of Mom's subtle mind games might be more elusive. Will they notice that his very favorite clothes, the delicious carrots, those lovely rain boots, and that perfectly prepared bath conveniently await him? Of course Mom's penultimate request will evoke sighs of contentment and an echo of Rabbit's emphatic "Yes!" As they cuddle with their grown-ups, little readers may also join Rabbit as he falls asleep without completing his final "No." A thoroughly delightful, warmhearted bedtime story. (Picture book. 2-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
