Customer Reviews

The Gingerbread Rabbit

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't believe that no one has reviewed this book! What a cute story that is thoroughly engaging for little ones and fun to read out loud as well. The witty storytelling is suburb with just the right amount of suspense and great twists. The narrator even addresses the audience, which definitely adds to the appeal and lends an oral storytelling feel to the experience. It is also noteworthy that there is a happily-ever-after ending for everyone -- no violence in store for the gingerbread bunny! :) The black and white illustrations are adorable as well. My girls 4 and 6 really loved the book and I'm sure we'll be reading it again soon. Extend the fun by baking gingerbread rabbits and recreating the surprise that the mother made for her daughter! It is too bad that a classic like this is apparently overlooked! I will definitely be adding more of Randall Jarrell's books to our collection!

I was actually surprised by how good this little story is. I initially bought it while shopping for bunny-themed books as a secular Easter gift for my children, and when I came across this, illustrated by Garth Williams - one of my favorites - I thought, why not?

This is essentially the story of a loving mother who crafts the perfect gingerbread rabbit as a present for her daughter, a rabbit so perfect that he comes to life. As he lays there fearfully pondering his existence, and ultimately his fate - being that he's made of gingerbread and is meant to be a confectionery treat - he becomes engaged in conversation with the various kitchen utensils who've witnessed many a human feeding before. What ensues is a ridiculously funny conversation guaranteed to entertain any young child, and better yet - any adult who is reading this to a young child.

The rabbit, of course, succeeds in escaping his harrowing situation, and the mother follows in a wild chase through the forest, where they both meet with a squirrel, a fox, and eventually the story comes full-circle when the gingerbread rabbit meets up with the very rabbit that inspired his creation. The story ends well for all involved... with the possible exception of the wily old fox.

The illustrations, for me, have that nostalgic Garth Willliams feel to them. They authentically capture the suspense, humor, and sweetness of the story. The story itself was a wonderfully pleasant surprise. I will certainly seek out more of Randall Jarrell's books for my children, especially those illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I am surprised that Jarrell is not a better known children's author, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who comes across the listing for it. Of all the thousands (I'm not kidding - we're library hounds) of children's books I've read in the past few of years, this one would easily earn a spot in my top twenty-odd favorites.

This is a mischievous, fast-paced tale, with elements from The Velveteen Rabbit and The Gingerbread Man blithely borrowed and mingled to spin an entirely new story. In it, a devoted mother plans to surprise her daughter with a gingerbread rabbit, but before she has a chance to bake him, he leaps from the table (having been frightened by the warnings of the paring-knife) and tears out the door. He commences through the forest, pursued by the perplexed mother, and meets a friendly squirrel and a friendly (and deceptive) fox. In the nick of time he is rescued by an adult rabbit, who brings him home to be adopted by his wife. The disappointed mother, having revised her plan to keeping the rabbit as a pet with his own gingerbread house, consults the fox and squirrel on her way home and finally decides to make a stuffed cloth rabbit as a substitute surprise -- so the story ends happily for everyone except the fox.

This is an ideal early chapter book, lighthearted and funny, with witty dialogue and suspenseful, fast-moving action. Garth Williams (illustrator of The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set, The Cricket in Times Square (Chester Cricket and His Friends) and much of E.B. White's work) perfectly captures the whimsical mood of this delicious yarn.

I cannot believe that this book is listed for baby-preschool. It is a VERY long and wordy book. There is NO WAY that my three kids could sit and follow this book in one sitting! I would rate this for elementary age not preschool! I only bought it to read to my kids this Easter- but it will be put a way for at least a couple of years. I am bummed!

This book holds a very treasured story. Written back in the '60s, that makes it almost a class now, right? 'Tis a heartwarming story--children and adults alike enjoy it. Garth Williams' illustrations are an additional charm. Loooovely book!

My daughter and I enjoyed reading this story. She is very interested in rabbits, and the gingerbread rabbit's canny attitude one moment and naivete the next made for amusement on our parts. The fox's section was definitely the highlight of the story. As a mom, I appreciated that the story brought a resolution for the mom, although of COURSE she would not be able to catch the gingerbread rabbit!

The book arrived in a very timely manner.
It is a bit too wordy for younger children.