Morris's Disappearing Bag [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

On Christmas morning, Morris's brother Victor gets a hockey outfit. Morris's sister Rose gets a beauty kit. Morris's other sister Betty gets a chemistry set. And Morris gets a teddy bear. His siblings all tell him he's too little to play with their gifts. Then Morris finds one last present under the tree and discovers just the diversion he needs to keep the others busy--while he enjoys their toys!

Now in a larger trim size and with all new art, Morris's Disappearing Bag, dubbed "one of the best" by the Chicago Tribune,* is an irresistible story readers will enjoy year round.

An ALA Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The classic 1975 story of the preschool rabbit who unwraps a present containing a Disappearing Bag has been reissued in a larger format and with new illustrations. Wells' bright watercolor-and-acrylic artwork adds zest and warmth to the story of the youngest rabbit, who is disappointed with the less-than-exciting stuffed bear he gets for Christmas--but delighted with an overlooked package he finds under the tree. Wells' wonderful story and artwork will captivate parents as well as children: the humorous spoof of Botticelli's Birth of Venus hanging on the wall is delightful, as are the characters' charming expressions and poses. A fine reissue. Shelley Townsend-Hudson

About the Author

Rosemary Wells (www.rosemarywells.com) is the highly acclaimed author of over sixty books for children. Ms. Wells lives in Westchester County, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; Library edition edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749398949
• ISBN-13: 978-0670887217
• ASIN: 0670887218
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,610,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best present EVER!, May 28, 2008

By 

Linda Bulger (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Morris' Disappearing Bag (Mass Market Paperback)

What if you were the youngest rabbit in the family and nobody wanted to play with your Christmas bear because it was too babyish? Would you feel left out if your sisters and brother said you were too little to play with THEIR presents? Would you sit in the corner with your ears drooping in sadness?

If that tugs at your heartstrings, meet Morris. He's the dearest little bunny you ever saw, and SO sad on Christmas morning. He loves his new bear but he's too little to play with Rose's beauty kit, Victor's hockey stick, and Betty's chemistry set. While they are having fun, Morris crawls under the tree and finds ONE FORGOTTEN PRESENT, a bag. He pulls himself into the bag and -- DISAPPEARS!

Oho! Now the other bunnies are singing a different song. They all want to share their presents with Morris while they try out his disappearing bag. Who can blame them? Wouldn't we all like a disappearing bag from time to time? Such a fine present. Morris generously gives turns with his bag and has a go with the other presents. He's got the most coveted Christmas gift of all, but all he wants is a little consideration, to be part of the crowd, to be included.

Rosemary Wells writes a terrific story and her illustrations are sheer delight. Little droopy bunny ears, puffy cotton tails sticking out of the bag, hilarious bunny play with the chemicals, the makeup, the hockey kit -- and precious little Morris with all his feelings worn on his sleeve.

I've had this book since my sons were little, and given it to a number of children. I always buy a new copy for myself, just in case I need it. My favorite!

Linda Bulger, 2008

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christmas story we read all year!, December 21, 2001

By 

slomamma (San Luis Obispo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Morris' Disappearing Bag (Mass Market Paperback)

I have a big box of children's Christmas books that I keep in the garage most of the year, and bring out in late November, but even though this book tells a Christmas story, it has never gone in the Christmas box. My kids wouldn't give it up. It continues to be read all year. I'm not sure exactly what it is about this book. It's kind of a silly little story about a little bunny, the youngest in his family, the one who is overlooked, who discovers an unnoticed present under the Christmas tree -- a bag that can make anyone who crawls into it disappear. But there's just something delightful and fun about it. We especially like the fact that only what's completely in the bag disappears, and Morris doesn't ever quite manage to get his whole body in the bag, so in each picture a little piece of him (tips of ears, or cottony tail) are sticking out. It's fun to find Morris in each picture. In fact, overall, this is probably the most fun Christmas book I've ever seen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Morris doesn't mind sharing this present!, August 29, 2008

By 

mayflower (BFE North, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Morris' Disappearing Bag (Mass Market Paperback)

It's Christmas morning and Morris gets a teddy bear while his brother and sisters get great gifts that Morris isn't allowed to play with. While Morris mopes he finds a disappearing bag. Suddenly no one can find him. But when he's finally discovered, he gladly shares it with his siblings, who stuff themselves into it all at the same time. While they use the bag he has a fabulous time playing with their toys.
This is a great book. It's one of my all time favorite Rosemary Wells books that isn't related to her famous Max and Ruby. My children really enjoy it and wish they had a bag just like it!