The Bunny Who Found Easter (Hardcover)

by Charlotte Zolotow (Author), Helen Craig (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
First published nearly 40 years ago, Zolotow's ingenuous paean to spring, a time "when everything lovely begins once again," indeed feels reborn with Craig's (Angelina Ballerina) winsome illustrations. Combining full-page spreads with smaller panels and spots, her ink, watercolor and colored-pencil art draws from a sumptuous palette of Easter egg colors that reaches full bloom at tale's end, when spring finally catches up to the lonely bunny in search of companionship. When a sleepy owl tells the solo bunny that "there are always rabbits at Easter," he attempts to hunt the place down. Youngsters will be tickled by this misunderstanding and will enjoy having a leg up on the long-eared fellow. Equally gratifying are Craig's renderings of the antics of a diminutive mouse who trails and apes the wandering bunny. In the spirit of a true quest, both travelers are rewarded for their journey: each ends up with a loving mate?and seven offspring. Snuggling with his brood, "The bunny's heart throbbed with happiness at this wonderful earthsmelling sunlit bunny-filled world." Like the endearing protagonist, Zolotow's unabashedly sweet, endearing tale of new life finds its match with Craig's gentle landscapes and cuddly characters. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-A freshly illustrated edition of Zolotow's classic story, originally published in 1959. A lonely rabbit, seeking companionship, is told by an old owl, "There are always rabbits at Easter," and a place called "Easter" becomes the object of his quest. After traveling through the forest and through the seasons, the bunny finds a mate and finally understands that Easter is "a time when everything lovely begins once again." Zolotow's stylistic trademarks-tender lyricism, poetic prose, and a compassionate tone-continue to satisfy children. Craig's charming pastel paintings in ink, watercolor, and colored pencil bring the bunny to life. A mouse accompanies him throughout his journey, adding humor and reinforcing the message that no one is ever really alone. The animals have lots of character, as seen in the droop of an ear, a befuddled expression in the eyes, a gesture of the arms, or even the line of a whisker. Sturdy and sheltering trees form backdrops for most of the scenes. Update your collection and introduce a new generation to this sweet, joyful tale.
Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (February 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395862655
• ISBN-13: 978-0395862650
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #875,182 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book with lots of warm fuzzies, May 4, 2000

By	"kmdion" (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews

We just love this book! I'd recommend this book in a heartbeat! Its a little long for my 22 month old daughter, but my 3 and 1/2 year old son just loves it. Its a great story with lots of warm fuzzies that teaches a deeper, more important meaning of Easter without any religious overtones. Grade: A+

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tender and beautiful Easter book................, April 1, 2008

By	Angie "northwoods gentle reader" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bunny Who Found Easter (Paperback)

In this world of violent cartoons and scary movies for children, this gentle story is a must for youngsters.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Poignant Theme, May 17, 2006

By	Elizabeth Toombs "pansyliz" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A delightful tale. A bit long for someone under two, but a really good choice for all other children.

The reader can ask the children in each picture to count items or to find the bear or the other blue bird for example. The story is told via a bunny who travels throughout various natural settings in a year as the seasons change. The book is not specifically a religious text, but illuminates a poignant theme for the secular and nonsecular Easter season.

The bunny understands after his travels and discovery that "Easter was not a place after all, but a time when everything lovely begins once again." During the Spring the general time of new growth the identification of everything lovely begins again resonates with the actual timing of Easter. In the church, the celebration of each Sunday as an Easter is encouraged by this revelation. Easter the season/time of the year and Easter in the church we are born anew in the everything that is lovely like new buds on a tree and the love of us by God in the resurrected Christ.

The Bunny Who Found Easter is recommended.