The Easter Bunny That Overslept [Hardcover]

Priscilla & Otto Friedrich (Author), Donald Saaf (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: January 22, 2002 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

One spring morning, the Easter Bunny skips merrily along to deliver his colorful, hand-painted eggs. But the children tell him that it's Mother's Day, which can only mean one thing: HE SLEPT THROUGH EASTER! Nobody wants eggs on Mother's Day, or on the Fourth of July -- and especially not on Halloween. Children will sympathize with the little bunny's plight and cheer when Santa finds the perfect gift to help!

Originally published in 1957, The Easter Bunny that Overslept now returns with a fresh look, promising to delight new generations of children. What a wonderful tale to share at Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas ... or at any time at all!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-In this updated and newly illustrated version of a 1957 favorite (Lothrop), which was first revised in 1983 (Morrow, 1987), the Easter bunny sleeps through a rainy Easter Day and doesn't wake up until Mother's Day. He tries to deliver his brightly colored eggs then, but no one wants them. Undaunted, he paints them red, white, and blue; dons an Uncle Sam hat; and joins the Fourth of July parade. No one wants them then either. Sadly, he returns home and naps until October when little ghosts knock on his door for trick or treat. They don't want Easter eggs either. Suddenly a fierce wind snatches up the bunny and blows him all the way north to Santa's house, where he can at least help make children happy. A grateful Santa presents him with a gold alarm clock, and the bunny never again sleeps through Easter. The clever story is written in simple, sprightly language and illustrated in an unusual combination of collage and gouache in brilliant colors and a variety of sizes. The flat, decorative style and lively, cartoon figures have a folk-art charm. A welcome addition for a new generation of readers.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Ages 4-7. First published in 1957 and illustrated by Adrienne Adams, then reillustrated by her in 1983, this perennial favorite gets an update by Saaf. The story is still delightful; after the Easter Bunny oversleeps, he tries to deliver his eggs on Mother's Day, Fourth of July, and Halloween, much to the amusement and annoyance of the deliverees. Fortunately, Santa Claus finds Bunny a job making toys and hopping in and out of chimneys, and Bunny gets a gold watch as a thank you--a watch that wakes him up right on time next Easter day. The rather delicate illustrations in the previous book, featuring a neatly dressed bunny in a trim jacket and white pants, are replaced here by more exuberant art, starting on the dust jacket with the rabbit, decked out in a striped suit, rushing along as eggs spill out of his basket. Inside, there's lots of patterning, which adds depth to the pictures, and Saaf uses every opportunity for humor, starting with the bemused bunny who just can't get it right. A bold new edition that kids will take to their hearts. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition (January 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060296453
• ISBN-13: 978-0060296452
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Easter

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars heart-warming March 26, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Library Binding

This delightful story takes you on a journey with a frustrated easter bunny who has missed easter after oversleeping. Not only does one get to experience all the holidays of the year, but one also appreciates the aspects unique to easter.It also serves a good lesson to those children who are loathe to get out of bed. The story is charming and the illustartions are joyful. A treasure!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of story. May 27, 2007

By Mathew A. Shember VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Oh nooo! The Easter bunny slept through Easter. He wakes up and heads out and quickly learns what happened as people refuse his eggs.

He tries to hand them out by becoming the 4th of July bunny and he tries to give them away for Halloween. No luck! Nobody wants them and some are annoyed he was late.

Eventually he ends up in the North Pole and Santa puts him to work making toys. He also rides with him to help distribute presents as he can get down smaller chimneys better then Santa.

Santa gives him a nice present. A gold time clock so he never misses Easter again.

Overall it's a nice story but I don't think my girl really likes it. For me the words didn't flow right for a bedtime story.

The art work is cute but so far has not interested my girl to want to look at it like she does with other books.

Oh well.....

5.0 out of 5 stars Darling story April 27, 2009

By J. S. Brown

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a darling story with great illustrations to pique the imagination. My 4-year old loved it and preferred this book over the other three I got her for Easter.