While We Were Out (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards) (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) [Hardcover]

Ho Baek Lee (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)

"Lee has written a sweet endearing story with just the right ending that will leave little listeners giggling. Illustrations in soft washed-out grays alternate with others in full color. A mildly adventurous allegory with a bit of funny realism in the end." - School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-While a family is visiting Grandma, their pet rabbit finds her way into the apartment through an unlocked terrace door. Left to explore, she enjoys all the comforts of human life, including a well-stocked fridge, popcorn and a video, dressing up, a good book, toys to play with, and finally a snooze in a warm bed. The uninvited guest wakes in time to retreat to the terrace, closing the door, innocently hoping her little visit will remain undetected-but what about the unmistakable evidence she has "dropped" behind? Lee has written a sweet, endearing story with just the right ending that will leave little listeners giggling. Illustrations in soft, washed-out grays alternate with others in full color. A mildly adventurous allegory with a bit of funny realism in the end.
Rita Soltan, formerly at Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 1. A white rabbit who lives on the patio notices that his family has gone to Grandma's, leaving the house empty. Now the house is hers. Simple line-and-wash pictures alternating with radiant full-page paintings follow the rabbit as she indulges in a multitude of obviously long-held wishes. She eats at the table and watches a movie on TV. She even tries to read a book (without much success). There are two particularly wonderful pictures--one in black and white, the other in color--in which the rabbit first delicately applies lipstick and then puts on a costume of traditional Korean dress belonging to the daughter. But the piece de resistance is a double-page spread showing what the rabbit does with the chopsticks and roller skates she has commandeered--she races through the house, tucked in the skate, pushing herself with the sticks. By the time the family returns, the rabbit is back on the patio. There's no sign of her visit--or is there? Sharp-eyed children will spot pellets of rabbit waste that occasionally turn up in the pictures and appear at the book's conclusion. This Korean import is amusing, yes, but there is also a delicacy and intelligence that pervades the tale. A definite cut above. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132441
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132447
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #971,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sweet story about a little rabbit, May 27, 2003

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: While We Were Out (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards) (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) (Hardcover)

Children's books about animals are one of my favorites to review -- especially when the main character has a mind of his own :).

The book, "While You Were Out," by Ho Baek Lee, is about a little rabbit whose owners forget to lock the door to the balcony. When the little rabbit discovers this, she goes exploring throughout the house. While inside, she finds a lot of fun things to do.

MyParenTime.com highly recommends this book -- it's short sentences and simple renderings make this story very enjoyable for young children. The ending is sure to leave a trail...pun intended :).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One wascaly wabbit, January 30, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: While We Were Out (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards) (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) (Hardcover)

The sweetest little South Korean import on the market today. Admittedly, I'm not particularly familiar with a lot of translated South Korean books for children sold in America. But due to the fact that, "While We Were Out", (originally titled in South Korea, "What On Earth Happened During That Time") is twice as adorable as 95% of picture books written in the English language, it's probably a fair guess.

In this simple book, the family rabbit goes exploring in her owners' house while they're away visiting grandma. The family itself is never seen. Instead, we follow the rabbit as she traipses from room to room, exploring and testing. The rabbit applies lipstick to her face. She settles in for a good movie. She rollerblades (with the help of some strong chopsticks, of course). All the while the little rabbit is determining her own taste and in the end she fully believes she's gotten away without the family ever knowing. There's a cute (and very realistically rabbit-like) twist on the ending of this tale. Anyone who's ever had a fluffy bunny as a pet will instantly understand that this is EXACTLY how their own rabbit might explore the home. "While We Were Out" will not change anyone's life or bowl you over with its style. It is a sweet simple tale told with humor and beauty. Just the perfect book for any time of day.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story That Makes Them Giggle, April 15, 2003

By 

Jools1900 (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: While We Were Out (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards) (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) (Hardcover)

This book is just right for my five-year-old bunny loving daughter. It's a simple story of what the pet bunny does when the family leaves, and he sneaks into the house. It's a little reminiscent of Alexandra Day's Carl books, in that when the pet is left alone, he takes on some human characteristics. For instance, this bunny has lunch at the table and tries out roller skating. Very cute- just the right amount of text, a great cuddle up and giggle story.