On the Night of the Shooting Star

On the Night of the Shooting Star
By Amy Hest; Illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Bunny and Dog are neighbors who never talk to each other. One night, it occurs to each of them that the other needs a friend. Then, they both see a shooting star. This special event is just what is needed to spark their friendship.

Few kids’ stories illustrate this truth: It can be very awkward to start a conversation with a person you have “known” for a long time but never talked to. It just takes one moment, and a willingness to overcome the awkwardness, to begin again.

The details of the illustrations are just darling, particularly Bunny’s and Dog’s homes – filled with biscuits and cocoa, carrots and knitting.

The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare

The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare
By Sam McBratney

Little Nutbrown Hare explores his surroundings and learns some lessons about himself, about nature, about safety, and about the comforts of home.

I love the relationship Little Nutbrown Hare has with his daddy. Big Nutbrown Hare always strikes the right tone. He encourages Little Nutbrown Hare to explore and enjoy new experiences; however, he is stern yet gentle when Little Nutbrown Hare needs to be steered away from danger. As with the bestseller, “Guess How Much I Love You”, the book ends on a sweet parent-child note.

The characters in the original book are so lovable, it was a pleasure to find this follow-on work. These stories have less of a competitive element to them, and also allow fans of the original story to explore the world of Little Nutbrown Hare a bit more broadly.

Bunny Built

Bunny Built
By Michael Slack

LaRue, the handiest bunny in Westmore Oaks, runs out of carrots. As he inquires for carrots among his neighbors, he comes across what appears to be an enormous carrot seed! He patiently waits as the planted seed grows into a gigantic carrot. What LaRue does next is not what one might expect.

This book is so simple, yet each reading reveals a new layer of the tight-knit Westmore Oaks community. For example, as LaRue asks his neighbors if they have carrots, he learns that Ivy gave her table to someone else. LaRue takes note of each neighbor’s need, and makes it a priority to restore what they have been missing.

Note that the cookie jar is one of the places LaRue stores his carrots. *smile*

The Rabbit is Next

The Rabbit is Next
By Gladys Leithauser and Lois Breitmeyer
Illustrated by Linda Powell

Jenny waits patiently at the veterinarian’s office while the doctor finishes her appointments with the other sick animals. At the end of the day, while the doctor is surprised to see Jenny and her rabbit, Bradley, she is happy to give him the same attention and care as the other patients.

Jenny whispers to Bradley, “I’ll bet you thought the animal doctor was an animal!” My acculturated brain had automatically filled in with “… a man!” This late-70s Golden Book reminds me of the Sesame Street episodes I watched in the same era: intentionally diverse, and with a strong female role model.

I can’t shake the feeling that there is a twist to this story, in the page before it begins and/or the page after it ends. Right around the time my little one turned four, but having read this story many times for over a year, he asked me, “Is the doctor Jenny’s mom?” I’d been thinking perhaps big sister, but I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s been wondering if they’re related.

Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Anita Jeram

Little Nutbrown Hare and his dad compete to find examples – each using their size, physical capabilities, and the world around them – to quantify their great love for each other.

While I have minor reservations about the competitive nature of the conversation in this book, I adore the relationship between Big Nutbrown Hare and his little one. I love the example Big Nutbrown Hare sets for Little Nutbrown Hare: using “big” as an expression of love.

The illustrations are sweet and have just enough detail, perfectly matching the text. This is one of those books that brought a tear to my eye the first time I read it aloud. Sadly, my little one does not fall asleep as easily as Little Nutbrown Hare.

Thank You and Good Night

Thank You and Good Night
by Patrick McDonnell

Maggie surprises Clement by arranging a pajama party with his friends, Jean and Alan Alexander. The three friends experience all the usual fun sleepover activities until they tire themselves out. After some bedtime stories, they reflect on what they were thankful for.

The three friends enjoy a late night of wholesome activities. Nobody has to yell at them to pipe down and go to bed – they find themselves ready for bed at the right time. Their litany of thankfulness is a poem that young children could possibly memorize.

It’s impressive how much this book can convey with very few words, and simple pictures. My little one cracks up every time at the “funny face contest” page.