Listen, Buddy [Paperback]

Helen Lester (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A hilarious romp about a bunny who just can't seem to listen. He is constantly confusing instructions. For example, when his parents ask for a slice of bread, he saws off a piece of his bed. But everything changes when he takes a wrong turn and meets up with Scruffy Varmint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

His ears are enormous, but listening is not the forte of a bunny named Buddy. And his misinterpretations of his parents's requests make for the sort of silly confusion that youngsters love: when his father asks for a pen, Buddy drags in a disgruntled hen; instead of the slice of bread his mother wants, Buddy turns up with the sawed-off headboard from a bed. Taking his first solo "long hop," Buddy forgets whether he is supposed to take a left or a right when the road forks. He selects the wrong route, of course, and ends up at the cave of the Scruffy Varmint, where he unleashes merry mayhem in trying to help that cranky creature cook soup. After the varmint decides that he'd rather eat stew made from "the Bunnyrabbit who never listens," Buddy hears him loud and clear. If lacking the all-out pizazz of Lester and Munsinger's Tacky the Penguin, this sprightly paced tale amiably nudges kids whose direction-following skills need some honing. Munsinger's watercolors-and Buddy's comical expressions in particular-are characteristically entertaining. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?There is a lovely, subtle message here for young children. Buddy is a rabbit whose father has a big nose?he is a great sniffer; whose mother has beautiful teeth?she is a great chomper. Buddy has beautiful, big lop-ears, but he mishears everything his parents say to him, including their directions for his first long hop?solo. Instead of the path to the left and the pond, he takes the path to the right straight to the cave of Scruffy Varmint. In a chuckle-inducing episode, Scruffy directs Buddy to gather ingredients to make soup and the young rabbit's faulty hearing serves him well, although he barely escapes becoming the main ingredient himself. Safely home, Buddy's listening skills are greatly improved. Expressive drawings convey the perplexity of parents weary of reminding a child to listen and extend the text with humorous asides. Sure to bring laughs at story time.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395854024
• ISBN-13: 978-0395854020
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Turtles
  • #29 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Turtles
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Rabbits > Fiction

More About the Author

Helen Lester has published The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983, in collabroation with Lynn Munsinger. They have also worked together on the hilarious Tacky the Penguin series and many other wildly funny and popular titles, including the award-winning Hooway for Wodney Wat. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in Pawling, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious book to read, I had as much fun as the kids., October 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Listen, Buddy (Hardcover)

This is a very funny story of a little bunny, who is cabable of hearing things correctly, but rarely does. This is pretty annoying to Buddy's parents, but still Buddy isn't really motivated to listen more carefully until he mixes up some directions and runs into trouble. Luckily dear Buddy gets out of the jam unscathed, and ready to do some fine listening, too.

Really is one of the more fun stories to read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very educational, May 24, 2004

By 

Ann E. Stickel (Whitesboro, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listen, Buddy (Paperback)

I used this a lot when I was teaching a program called "Peaceful People." Even the very young got the idea about the inportance of listening. I highly rrecommend this book in teaching lessons on listening.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars silly & fun, January 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Listen, Buddy (Paperback)

My son and I have read this book numerous times. I never tire of the beatifully detailed pictures and the silly listening errors made by Buddy Bunny. You will love it!