Who says bunnies and chicks have to be only celebrated in March and April? These adorable and funny tales make great read-aloud books any time of year.
"That's Not Bunny!" by Chris Barton; pictures by Colin Jack; Disney/Hyperion; 40 pages; $16.99.
Just like Wile E. Coyote, shifty Hawk swoops down unexpectedly to try to snag his prey — not a roadrunner but a clever bunny. Hawk is sure he's got his guy, but somehow only manages to grab a carrot. Next time around, he comes up with a cucumber. When he's sure he's going to snag him with a trick, Bunny is one step ahead and escapes, laughing all the way.
A hilarious battle of hide, seek and miss, Chris Barton's lively read jumps out of the pages with Colin Jack's zany, bold illustrations. A clever flip of the food chain, "That's Not Bunny!" is a quick, giggle-inducing witty story.
"Bunny Dreams" by Peter McCarty; Henry Holt; 34 pages; $16.99.
Gently colored like a springtime dream, the soft, fluffy bunnies in Caldecott-winner Peter McCarty's new book float, count and hop. In their dreams the bunnies are safe in underground tunnels from the farmer's dog; they fly with bees and butterflies and know how to write their own names (all of which start with the letter B).
Eventually all the bunnies awaken and they see the bunny on the moon, and all is well with the real world.
Sweetly whimsical and naturally colored, "Bunny Dreams" is a soothing read.
"Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching" by Laura Gehl; pictures by Joyce Wan; Farrar Straus Giroux; 36 pages; $16.99.
With rounded (duh, one's an egg) characters and
spring colors of sky blue, sunny yellow, pea green and salmon pink, this "Peep and Egg" tale is seasonably spot-on. This story conveys a sense of anticipation, as one eager chick patiently awaits her friend's hatching. "What's taking so long?" young readers might wonder. When Peep tells Egg all the things he can do when he hatches — from strolling to the pond to see the ducks to riding on the sheep — Egg says, "Too far" and "Too bumpy." Egg is even afraid of playing hide-and-seek, and he thinks that splashing in puddles would be "too wet."
Finally, on his own terms, his shell cracks, and he rushes to have fun with Peep. A reassuring friendship tale, Laura Gehl's latest is sweet and patient.
"When Spring Comes" by Kevin Henkes; illustrated by Laura Dronzek; HarperCollins; 32 pages; $17.99.
"If you wait ... there will be buds and bees and boots and bubbles. There will be worms and wings and wind and wheels," says the acclaimed Kevin Henkes, explaining the inevitability of spring. Though winter is sometimes stubborn and bits of it return, Henkes and illustrator Laura Dronzek make it clear that "if you wait, spring will bring leaves and blossoms" and "pussy willows and raindrops."
A perfect read this time of year, "When Spring Comes" joyously celebrates and anticipates the return of flowers, mud, birds and buzzing bees. Dronzek's vivid paintings come to life; and tots will chuckle at the ending — next they'll have to "wait for Summer."
"I'm Lucky I Found You" by Guido van Genechlen; Clavis New York; 28 pages; $16.95.
A real treasure, this love story follows a determined rabbit named Herman, who jumps wildly, follows his nose everywhere and ends up finding carrots to nibble and pine trees to nap under. One day, with a gorgeous sunset behind him, Herman jumps about like normal, but his nose leads him to a sweet girl hare named Koby. The pair share carrots and jumps for hours on end, and they often tell one another, "I'm lucky I found you."
A sweet story about following one's nose (or intuition or feelings), Guido van Genechlen's beautiful picture book also has humor and loads of visual appeal.
"One More Tickle!" by Sam McBratney; illustrated by Anita Jeram; Candlewick Press; 14 pages; $17.99.
A big, sturdy novelty book with a funny tale, this tickle-inducing book comes complete with a soft bunny puppet built right in. Readers and toddlers can then tickle each other with the puppet while reading the lovable story about Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hair having fun.
To find out more about Lee Littlewood, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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