Rabbit And The Moon [Hardcover]

Douglas Wood (Author), Leslie Baker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A fanciful tale about friendship and pursuit of dreams. Rabbit has always wanted to go to the moon, and Crane offers to fly him there in this adaptation of a Native American folktale, told with a storyteller's flair. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Once long ago?in the morning of the world?there was a rabbit," begins this gently appealing pourquoi story from the Canadian Cree. Rabbit dreams of "riding upon the moon at night." He tries jumping up to reach it, then asking birds both large and small to help, but they refuse. Finally Crane, seeing Rabbit's dilemma, agrees to carry him to the moon. Rabbit holds onto Crane's legs so tightly that he bleeds, and once on the moon, when Rabbit pats his helper's head, he gives the bird the distinctive red spot it bears to this day. Wood's warm, understated style suits the target audience, but the storytelling is not nearly as compelling as in his Old Turtle. Baker's (A Song for Lena) watercolors are the real draw here. The artist breathes life into the characters, especially Rabbit, who looks as cuddly as a stuffed toy (in one spread, the bunny, as crane's cargo, dangles from the dramatic bird's legs, as he gazes at the earth far below, surrounded by stars). An author's note provides background to this highly visual journey. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4AThis pourquoi tale is an adaptation of a Cree legend. Rabbit had a strong desire to go to the moon. He could not jump far enough and none of the birds would agree to fly him there. Finally, Crane saw Rabbit's disappointment and decided to take him. In the flight, Rabbit held on to Brother Crane's legs, stretching them into the long legs that cranes have today. Rabbit's bloody paw touched the Crane's head, which gave him his characteristic red headdress. This satisfying story gradually builds suspense as Rabbit tries to achieve his dream. Crane's role adds a theme of brotherly support and helpfulness. Although the storytelling is good, its authenticity as a Cree legend is not documented. The only source cited by the author is Natalia M. Belting's The Long-Tailed Bear and Other Indian Legends (Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), a children's book also without documented sources. The watercolor paintings of the nighttime scenes evoke a quiet, dreamy, bedtime mood, which is in contrast to the active plot. Rabbit and the moon are illustrated with human emotions while the great and small birds are painted with attention to naturalistic detail. Most of the paintings are framed in half-page spreads with facing text. No attempt has been made to incorporate motifs from traditional Cree art. An uneven offering.AAdele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689807694
• ISBN-13: 978-0689807695
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,784,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cree Legend blended with Dreams, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rabbit And The Moon (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book to read to a child before bedtime! It reminded me of laying in the grass looking up at the stars and dreaming about things afar. The Cree legend elopes with the pursuit of your dreams, as rabbit and crane take you there.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Retelling of Cree legend., June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rabbit And The Moon (Hardcover)

Retells Cree legend of how Rabbit wanted to see the earth from the moon and finally gets Crane to fly him there. Crane's legs are stretched and his head is bloodied from Rabbit's hands.