Book Description

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room--to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one--he says goodnight.

In this classic of modern children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Reviews (287)

A little rabbit goes to bed but is not at all tired...
Generation after generation of children who have not wanted to go to sleep at night when told it was their bedtime have found an endearing manifesto of not being sleepy in "Goodnight Moon." Margaret Wise Brown poetry keeps things as simple as Clement Hurd's illustrations, which show a little rabbit who insists on saying "Goodnight" to pretty much every single object in the bedroom (including the old lady whispering "hush"). Eventually the little rabbit runs out of things to say "Goodnight" to and falls asleep. But we know that this scene will be repeated the next night and the night after that, when your child demands that you read this timeless children's classic from 1947 to them over and over again. There are certain books that every child should have in their library and if "Goodnight Moon" is not at the top of that list it has to be very close to the top for over half a century. Before this decade is up I am sure I will pass it on to a third generation of my family. How many generations is your family up to?

Great Bedtime Book
My daughter received this book as a gift for her 1 yr birthday(She is now 22 mos old and still loves this book. We read it every night before bed). At first, when I read it, I wasn't impressed with it at all. But then, the more we read it, I became wrapped up in the story through my daughter's enthusiasm of finding the little mouse in the pages and realized the sheer joy of her learning experience through reading and imagination. The lines are very short so little ones won't be easily bored waiting for the page to turn and it is so much fun for her to find the little mouse in each colored page, to watch her put her little finger to her mouth and whisper 'hush' with the little old lady in the corner, and to point out other objects in the room.

The story is based on a little bunny going to bed and saying goodnight to various items in his room and with each turn of the page, the light in his room grows dimmer. '...Goodnight mush/And goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush"/Goodnight stars/Goodnight air/Goodnight noises everywhere' and with that the room is dark and the bunny is fast asleep. The book alternates between color pages and black & white pages during the story. The pages show full color the little bunny's room where a little mouse hides in different areas and is waiting to be found by little searching eyes. Then the pages alternate to black and white that show other items that are found in the room that the bunny says goodnight to.

I have also found that if my daughter is hyper before bedtime, this book helps calm her down through the repetition of saying goodnight, by lowering my voice with each page that we turn and it actually helps prepare her for bed just like the bunny.

This is a very short, very colorful and very fun book for little ones. I highly recommend it.

A Must-Have Bedtime Book...
This book was one of our bedtime rituals. When I was weaning my son from frequent night-time breastfeedings, we would read this book at bedtime every evening. Sometimes I could hear him "reading" this book to himself in the dark if he was still have trouble settling down. Often, we read it in unison, and chuckled together. It's sweet and slow and comforting, and simply taking the time to cuddle and read it has a peaceful effect on both parent and child.

Still a Favorite
I first read this book when my son was a year old. The simple words and colorful illustrations made it one of his favorite bedtime rituals. The book focuses on a little rabbit going to bed and saying "good night" to everything in his room as well as the moon outside. In addition to reading the book, I would ask my son to point to the things the rabbit was saying "Good Night" to. Especially finding the little mouse on every color page. (I believe he's on everyone). We used it like an identification game as well as a story. Simple words that rhyme like "Hush" and "Mush" are easy for little ones to learn and repeat.
An interesting aspect of the illustrations is that the room is drawn darker as the book nears its end. The magic was still there the other night when I read it to my son who is now 3 and a half. Like other books by this author, there is an essentially childlike quality coupled with that "hard to pin down" quality of a classic.

If your child loves the original, they'll love this as well
My 21 mo old daughter loves the original "Goodnight Moon" and loves to play with the little acessories and popout features in this book. The story is the same and there is "lots to do" while turning the pages. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A stuffed toy rabbit (with real thread whiskers) comes to life in Margery Williams's timeless tale of the transformative power of love. Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the Boy (as he is called) will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit befriends the tattered Skin Horse, the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made "real" through the love of a human. "'Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'" This sentimental classic--perfect for any child who's ever thought that maybe, just maybe, his or her toys have feelings--has been charming children since its first publication in 1922. (A great read-aloud for all ages, but children ages 8 and up can read it on their own.) ... Read more

Reviews (50)

It's wonderful every time I read it!
I make sure I use this book with each class I teach--3rd and4th graders. They always get it--that love makes us real, too. Theymake the connection between the Skin Horse becoming shabby and people getting old. I always bring in my stuffed velveteen rabbit I bought years ago and it starts making the rounds and popping up on different children's laps. It is a pleasure to see them become attached to the rabbit instead of "mechanical toys that were very superior, and looked down upon everyone else." They also relate to the lessons the Velveteen Rabbit learns from the Skin Horse about how becoming real is a painful process sometimes and can take a long time.

Does it hurt to be real?
This is my all-time favorite children's book! A little boy receives a stuffed rabbit for Christmas, and they love each other until one day...This book is so true and honest in its emotion, you will not be able to read it without shedding tears. It deserves much more than 5 stars. Read it aloud with your child...share the beauty and the love.

Little rabbit in the woods
Color me a tiny bit surprised. A tiny bit. In remembering the story of "The Velveteen Rabbit" I had placed it somewhere on par with syrupy sappy stories like "The Giving Tree" or "Love You Forever". I had believed for quite some time that this book was an old but nonetheless overly sentimental tale that even the most dewey-eyed of youngsters would have some difficulty swallowing. Then I reread it recently and I found that I was not correct in all of my assumptions. Yes, "The Velveteen Rabbit" has its flaws. It is prone to a couple ooey-gooey moments here and there, but on the whole it is a strong well-written work. This is not a book that has earned its title as one of the best known and beloved works of fiction for children lightly.

All children wish that their toys were real and could have feelings like the rest of us. This kind of desire is what has spawned everything from the movie "Toy Story" to the classic Newbery Award winning book, "Hitty: Her First 100 Years". In the case of "The Velveteen Rabbit", this wish is taken to an entirely different level. In the beginning, a boy is given a fluffy stuffed rabbit made of softest velveteen. The rabbit is told by an old skin horse about the wonders of one day becoming real, and it becomes the rabbit's deepest wish. As the boy grows to love the rabbit and wear him down, the rabbit feels that he has indeed grown real. One day the boy comes down with scarlet fever and it is necessary to burn the rabbit along with all his other toys. Fortunately, the rabbit is saved by a magic fairy that turns him into a real rabbit. A little time later the boy is out playing when he sees a rabbit that looks just like the old toy he used to own, little knowing that his toy has come back briefly to bid him one last look.

I'm particularly attached to the editions of this tale that are accompanied by Michael Hague's illustrations. Very popular in the 1980s, Hague has the ability to draw illustrations that are at once touching and at the same time a little realistic. His pictures are filled with little touches and details that clever eyes might enjoy locating. For example, a page displaying the velveteen rabbit and other toys shows a small frog toy looking very much like the Frog character from Hague's version of "Wind in the Willows". On the bookshelf sits his edition of "The Wizard of Oz", easily identifiable by its spine. As for the characters in the pictures, they are delightful. The rabbit grows floppier and more raggedy as the book goes on (not suprising when the boy enjoys dragging it about by one ear). The boy himself is a ruddy faced youth, as apt to tease the bunny as he is to lavish it with love and affection. Hague has a way with light and color that make these pictures virtually leap off of their pages, and the result is a beautiful and elegant series of prints.

I am pleased to report that "The Velveteen Rabbit" is just as important today as it has ever been. This beautiful tale should always be accompanied by beautiful pictures, and so we are fortunate that Michael Hague lent it his skills. I have no doubt that your children will be entranced by this tale. I have even less doubt that you will find something in it yourself to make you pause and think over. Simple and eloquent.

Too sad for me
I've never liked this story and I had to hear it a lot as a child since it's a "classic." The rabbit's martyrdom made me cry every time it was read to me and actually gave me nightmares as a young child. This is one book from my childhood I will not be reading to my son.

ALWAYS A FAVORITE!
Most youngsters have a favorite toy, which may be why they have always loved The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real.

Today small eyes and ears will respond just as eagerly to the
reassuring story of a stuffed rabbit miraculously transformed by love.
First published in 1922, this classic tale loses none of its power in today's brightly illustrated abridged version which is more accessible for a younger audience. Ages 3 and up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This tremendous trio of Margaret Wise Brown's tried-and-true board books is virtually guaranteed to delight babies and toddlers. The Runaway Bunny, illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a comforting testimony to a parent's unconditional love and protection: "'If you run away,' said his mother, 'I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'" Goodnight Moon walks a child through a hypnotically soothing bedtime ritual of naming familiar objects in a room (and finding the little mouse that keeps popping up); and the melodic Big Red Barn, with illustrations by Felicia Bond, is a colorful foray into farm life: "By the big red barn / In the great green field, / There was a pink pig / Who was learning to squeal." In the end, the barnyard animals are all asleep, and if you're lucky, your favorite toddlers will be, too. A wonderful first-book collection. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

I wish I could give these books to every child in the world
These are the books your children will take to bed with them every night. Goodnight Moon has been my daughter's favorite bedtime book for 2 years, the one she HAS to have read to her before she can fall asleep. It must be the lyrical prose, and the illustrations that FEEL like a bedtime snuggle...this is the book I buy as a gift for every new parent.

Runaway Bunny is just beautiful, the watercolor paintings of a mother and child are fanciful and loving, and seem to come straight from a child's imagination.The theme is especially helpful for clingy children, reassuring them there will always be enough love to sustain them.

The Big Red Barn is simply the most enchanting book of farm animals I have ever seen, with lively colors and a story that intrigues my daughter so much, this is the first book she was content to sit down with and "read" all alone.

Three children's classics in board form will delight
Originally written in the 1940's, these classic children's books will still delight your baby or toddler. The youngest baby is lulled to sleep by the gentle rhymes, and will enjoy the bright colors and charming illustrations as he or she gets older."Goodnight Moon" depicts a young bunny rabbit awake in his bed as he tells all the objects and animals he can see "Goodnight". He lists everything he can see, including his mittens, some kittens, and of course the moon. Toddlers will begin to appreciate the make-believe world of "The Runaway Bunny", in which a mother bunny tells her child she will be there to keep him safe no matter where he runs to. The bright colors of "Big Red Barn" are intriguing to little ones, and will help teach the names of many animals,too. The board books are ideal for the youngest readers, as they can easily help turn the pages. It is difficult for a child younger than 2 years old to turn the paper pages of most books.These are three excellent books to add to your child's library and start the happy tradition of reading!

They don't call them classics for nothing
These three are terrific! I wanted to buy lots of classics for my baby and I was given this one. I could not have made a better choice myself. This is a great edition to my child's library.

Wonderful - Just Wonderful
These books are wonderful. I started reading them to my sons as soon as they were born. My oldest is 3 and he can "read" Goodnight Moon to me. He looks forward to finding the little bunny before his mommy does in The Runaway Bunny and knows when to make the animal sounds before I turn the page in the Big Red Barn.

This collection is a must for all kids. You won't regret buying them for the years of enjoyment that follows!

Love the trio!
Big Red Barn is a BIG HIT in my house and my daughter is only 6 months old! This is followed by Goodnight Moon. She's a little too young for The Runaway Bunny. The illustrations aren't as colorful or fun as the other two, but I know when she gets older it will also be a favorite. Definitely recommend this trio for parents! ... Read more

Amazon.com

All children want reassurance that their parents' love runs wide and deep. In Guess How Much I Love You, a young rabbit named Little Nutbrown Hare thinks he's found a way to measure the boundaries of love. In a heartwarming twist on the "I-can-do-anything-you-can-do-better" theme, Little Nutbrown Hare goes through a series of declarations regarding the breadth of his love for Big Nutbrown Hare. But even when his feelings stretch as long as his arms, or as high as his hops, Little Nutbrown Hare is fondly one-upped by the elder rabbit's more expansive love.

Anita Jeram'sillustrations are bound to elicit an "aw" from even the sternest of readers; these loving rabbits are expressive, endearing, and never cloying. In turn, Sam McBratney tells a simple bedtime story of sweet familial love with humor, insight, and a delightful surprise at the end. Children and parents will love snuggling up for this one--a treat to be read again and again, just before the lights are turned out. (Click to see a samplespread. Text © 1994 by Sam McBratney. Illustrations © 1994 by Anita Jeram. Permission from Candlewick Press.) (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (182)

Love unlimited - a powerful message for children
I was browsing through the children's department of my favorite local bookstore, looking for a gift, when this title caught my eye. I settled down on the floor for a read, and fell in love.

Big Nutbrown Hare is getting ready to put Little Nutbrown Hare to sleep for the night, when Little challenges him to guess how much he loves him. Little stretches his arms wide and says, "This much!" Big stretches his arms even wider and returns the love. Little keeps finding bigger and bigger ways to express his love for Big, and each time, Big outdoes him by virtue of his greater size. Finally, Little has to stop and ponder, and then triumphantly claims that his love for Big goes "all the way to the moon." That's a lot, Big concedes, and satisfied, Little settles down to sleep - and misses Big's whisper that he loves him "to the moon and back."

For children anxious about being loved, I can't think of a better story to illustrate how limitless their parents' love really is. No matter how much you love me, Big is saying, I love you that much and more. A comforting message, and one that Little can sleep on.

One of the things that makes this book unusual is that both hares are male. There is no lack of books about the love of mothers for their children, but Daddy-love is harder to find. I love the message here.

The pen and watercolor illustrations are wonderful. The animals are perfectly drawn - not cutesy, not cartoony, they are big rangy hares, with remarkably expressive faces. No cute little fluffola bunnies here...

I recommend this book as a valuable addition to your children's library.

Still brings tears to our eyes
In this tender story about a father putting his child to bed, Sam McBratney effectively conveys the depth of the love I feel for my own children, but am often unable to put into words. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to tell his father, Big Nutbrown Hare, just how much he loves him, but no matter what measure Little Nutbrown Hare chooses, his father always loves him more. For example, Little Nutbrown Hare loves his father as high as he can hop, but Big Nutbrown Hare loves his son as high as he can hop, and he can hop much higher. Finally, the tired little rabbit tells his father he loves him right up to the moon. Big Nutbrown Hare kisses his son good night and whispers, "I love you right up to the moon-- and back."

Anita Jeram's pen and ink and watercolor illustrations of father and son gracefully capture the love they feel for each other. She hasn't drawn the typical cute little bunnies found in many children's books; she's drawn creatures capable of expressing emotion. The expression on Little Nutbrown Hare's face as he's falling asleep is one I've seen on my own children. Her pictures also show an incredible range of movement, from stretching arms as high or as wide as possible to very gently kissing a sleeping child on the forehead.

This is one of my favorite books. It's a standard part of any "new baby" gift I give, and everyone who has received it from me tells me that they cried when they read it. I still cry.

A Wonderful Book!
This is one of the sweetest books out there. My daughter and I love to read it together. My only compliant is that this book didn't interest my daughter until around her second birthday, I assume because of the lack of color. The illustrations from an adult perspective thought are beautiful, as is the message.

Not just for kids
I bought this book not for a child but for a close friend who is going through a very difficult time in his life. I picked it based on the title alone, because it seemed like it'd have the sort of message I wanted to share with my friend. When I read it, I was delighted by the very simple story of two characters trying to define the size of their love, in a way very much like a game I used to play with my mother. Some people feel that the story is very competitive and I can understand that opinion, but I never felt that way when I played that game with my mother, nor does the book feel competitive to me. To me, the message is simply about love, and the undefinable, unquantifiable nature of it, and the way that no matter what kind of analogy you create for how much you love someone, it's still not big enough.

Besides the message of the story, and soothing illustrations, what really made this book a favorite was the lack of definition for the relationship between the big and little hares. A lot of stories mention in one way or another how the characters are related, and usually they're parent and child. This book makes no mention of how the two characters are related, or even if they are related in any legally-recognized way; you can take it to be whatever you want, whatever fits. Because of that, it's a particularly good fit for our odd mentorship-friendship, or any other nontraditional relationship.

So sweet
I love that this is the first book I ever read to my son. It is so sweet and perfect to show how love is boundless... ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Judy can pat the bunny. Now YOU pat the bunny." Sound familiar? Pat the Bunny is a part of childhood, as soothing as cocoa and animal crackers.Dorothy Kunhardt's interactive book for babies and toddlers was one of the first of its kind when it was published in 1940, and it has since sold over six million copies. We pat the soft fur of the bunny, play peek-a-boo, look in the mirror, and then do it all over again. (And again and again and again.) After you Pat the Bunny with your baby, why not Pat the Cat and Pat the Dog? These two sequels were written by Edith Kunhardt, the daughter of the author of the original book. Both use the same tried-and-true Pat the Bunny format: sturdy cardboard pages with eight activities that wee ones can explore, from sniffing some brownies, to squeaking a teddy bear, to unfastening Grandma's tennis shoe. The simple line drawings and pastel colors don't do much for adults, but somehow they are just right for babies. This boxed set is a fine choice for a baby gift or first birthday present, and a lifesaver on a long car trip. (Baby to preschool) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Simply the Best Ever
Some things become life experiences not only for one's child, but for oneself. "Pat the Bunny" is such a book. It is so dear, so simple, and so very, very perfect that it is deceptive. It really can teach a very young baby about textures and colors and the fact that the world is a varied and wonderful place.

When my first child (now almost 18) was less than 6 months old, I would take her tiny hand and place her chubby fingers on each different texture...the bunny, the cloth, and of course my favorite...Daddy's scratchy beard! (a piece of sandpaper). I don't know how much of the simple and sweet words my daughter absorbed, but she was cuddled in my arms, being rocked (our favorite place to read) and she definitely liked to touch the textures. Now the interesting thing is that the book remained special, and when she should have outgrown it, she did not. It remained in the collection. I think that's because it is just so peaceful and simple, remnants of a former time.

If you are expecting, if one of your friends has a new baby, if you are a grandparent or a loving aunt or uncle, you cannot give a better book for a new baby. It will be that baby's cherished book in short order. Guaranteed. One word of warning, though. Make sure that you are buying the original, with all the textures. I saw one oversized board book version the other day, and its only texture was the cotton of the bunny, which carried through to each page. No no!! We need everything right for this book of a lifetime.

This Bunny's a FAVORITE!!
Our son inherited two identical copies of Pat the Bunny from his big sister (who adored the book equally), and he quickly learned all the fun things he could do with Paul and Judy. His favorite thing to do is to play peek-a-boo with Paul. We are disappointed that the binding has failed on both copies, but gladly, it is due to them being so LOVED. In order to keep our now-one-year-old boy happy, we are buying him a copy of his own for Christmas (and maybe a spare for the diaper bag for outings).A true favorite story-simple and fun! And a great gift to receive for a new baby.

Pat the Bunny
My daughter enjoys this book from time to time. I, on the other hand, can't get past the smell of the flowers in it. I gag everytime I get near it. The book is somewhat bland. I wouldn't really reccoment it to buy.

Cute
This is a cute classic book. It is fun to read and fuzzy bunny is fun for kids.

Eh...
It's a cute book, but very dated. Not very sturdy either. I cringe whenever my son reaches for it, but that's not too often, as it doesn't hold his interest very well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"It is the first duty of a flagging spirit to seek renewal in the latitudes of whimsy," wrote Benjamin Franklin to his nephew in 1771. "I, for one, dream on beyond the five planets to a world without wickedness; verdant, mild, and populated by amiable lapins [rabbits]." This quotation appears on the title page of First Tomato, one of three engaging books in Rosemary Wells's fabulous Voyage to the Bunny Planet box set. Perhaps Ben Franklin's whimsical dreamland is the inspiration for these endearing, small, perfectly square books, each about a benevolent bunny who has an abominable day and needs to take solace in the kinder, more peaceful Bunny Planet.

In each book--First Tomato, The Island Light, and Moss Pillows--a quirky, adorable, wide-eyed bunny has a terrible day of, say, a meager breakfast, getting sick at school, or snow-filled shoes. When the bunny just can't take it anymore, he or she is transported, Oz-style, to the Bunny Planet to experience "the day that should have been": "Far beyond the moon and stars, / Twenty light-years south of Mars, / Spins the gentle Bunny Planet / And the Bunny Queen is Janet." On this planet only good things happen--the discovery of a large ripe tomato, summer breezes, crackling fires, and making pancakes. Wells, masterful as usual, creates a completely charming universe and perfectly captures theexpressions of the despairing-then-joyful bunnies. Youngsters everywhere will take comfort in these small books, perfect for reading aloud at bedtime. Everyone, especially your favorite little bunnies, should know that even on the worst of days, a Bunny Planet is out there somewhere, spinning gently. (Click to seea sample spread. Illustration from The First Tomato by Rosemary Wells. Illustration © 1992 by Rosemary Wells, published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (23)

I Need a Voyage to the Bunny Planet!
Remember that old Excedrin commericial? "I've got a headache THIS BIG!" Read Rosemary Wells's adorable picture book trilogy, "Voyage of the Bunny Planet", and you'll learn another great trick to calm your jangled nerves. In each book a little bunny has a rough bunny day--late school bus, yucky lunch, crazy cousins... But help is on the way. "Far beyond the moon and stars, Twenty light- years south of Mars, Spins the Gentle Bunny Planet. And the Bunny Queen is Janet." Bunny Queen Janet takes each stressed-out little rabbit to "the day that should have been." From relaxing in the moss green forest, to making First Tomato soup with mom, to playing cards with dad in a warm house while it rains hard outside, Rosemary Wells perfectly evokes memories and feelings of safety and serenity. This is an ideal holiday gift for any age. Children will be soothed at night by the gentle text and sweetly-illustrated bunnies, and adults will love Wells's quirky humour and the memories of childhood this trilogy lovingly recreates. So don't let the hectic pace of the holiday season get you down--grab some egg nog and take a Voyage to the Bunny Planet!

Even Adults Deserve a Visit to the Bunny Planet
These three books continue to top our list of favorites. Our girls continue to enjoy the cadence of the writing and spirit of the stories. We make up our own bunny planet visits when they have bad days. The storyline resonates with adults, too. A great gift.

A Dose of Childhood Magic
My daughter received this set as a gift for her first birthday. Now, at 26 months, she has fallen in love with her "Janet Books". We have to read all three before naptime and bedtime.

These books are just wonderful. The author's use of language is gifted, from the intentionally choppy beginning, through the lyrical Bunny Planet interlude, through the reassuring ending. Every child can relate to the subject and substance of these books. The illustrations are friendly, and invite leisurely examination.

I am quite disappointed that they are out of print because I would purchase them for every young child that I know.

With Apologies to Beethoven
And SINCERE thanks to a dear friend (also a non-grownup) who sent me this CHARMING book for my birthday. All the reviews say it pretty well, but (to the melody of ODE TO JOY) here is my contribution:

Take me to the Bunny Planet,
Watch and see how fast I run.
All my friends will dance beside me,
Happy in the sparkling sun.

Take me to the Bunny Planet,
Mama will give us soup she made.
It's a land of pleasures plenty,
New tomaters never fade.

Children don't like baloney sannies

Can't do cartwheels when they play
Math is hard it takes two hours
Shoes with snow are not okay.

Take me to the Bunny Planet,
Far beyond the moon and stars.
It's a land of pleasures plenty,
With the Bunny Queen named Janet.

Pure magic
When we first read The Island Light to our daughter when she was 3 1/2, she was mesmerized and wanted us to read it to her day after day. The peaceful story, the beautiful cadence of the words, and the delightful illlustrations were a joy to look at time and time again.

Particularly inspirational to our girl was Felix's tiny, cozy room in the lighthouse. At the time, our daughter was sleeping in a twin bed in our room, and we weren't sure how we were going to find space in our small house for her own bedroom. (My husband and I both work from home, which didn't help in the "finding a bedroom" problem.) One day she was exploring a closet in another room and noticed it has a window, nice hardwood floors, and could easily fit a little bed and a book shelf. "It could be like Felix's bedroom in the lighthouse!" she exclaimed. So we emptied the crammed closet (no easy feat in a little house!) and transformed it into a cozy room much like Felix's. ... She has been enraptured about that room ever since. We live by the ocean in a fog-prone area, so many nights she even falls asleep to the sound of the foghorn in her "lighthouse room." On nights when she's a little apprehensive to sleep because of seeing/reading something too scary during the day, she'll think of Janet wrapping her arms around her and floating her to the Bunny Planet.

I just now came to Amazon to order the Bunny Planet series (we'd been borrowing them from the library all this time because I couldn't find them at our local book stores), and I am shocked that these magical books are no longer in print. We all need the Bunny Planet sometimes, and I hope a publisher will ... produce these beautiful books once again. ... Read more

Book Description

Clement Hurd redrew some of his pictures for this new edition of the profoundly comforting story of a bunny’s imaginary game of hide-and-seek and the lovingly steadfast mother who finds him every time.

"Best of the Best" Children's Books 1966–1978 (SLJ)
Outstanding Children's Books of 1972 (NYT) ... Read more

Reviews (66)

A heartwarming, beautifully written book, a MUST-HAVE !!!
I first heard a few lines from this book on a T.V. show, and I was in tears! I ran straight to my computer and ordered it. This book is a must have for every child (and parent!). I have never read a book expressing the love of a mother for her child so beautifully. The mother bunny becomes whatever it takes for her to "find" her little bunny as he dreams of different things to be to run away from her. The mother bunny doesn't condemn him, but conforms to his thoughts and dreams and "chases" after him as he tells her what he will become and how he'll run away. I loved the way the mother spoke so lovingly to her little bunny, letting him know that no matter where he went, she'd find him. My son loves the brilliantly colorful images on every other page. It is a nice contrast to the black and white writing in between. This has become a favorite in my home and I intend to give this book as a gift to any and every mother (or mother-to-be) that I know!

Runaway Bunny
This book is wonderful. My son is in an accelerated reading program at school, he brought this book home last night to read and we had such a great time with it. When the story starts off with the little bunny telling his mom that he'll run away and she says she'll follow him I just thought . . . that is love. I told my son that he was the little bunny and I was the mommy bunny, so throughout the story we pretended that those characters were us. The look on my son's face was priceless, I could tell that he knew that his mommy loves him dearly (children need reassurance). He was so proud to hear that I would follow him like that. The color illustrations kept us laughing. They were just so sweet and cute. This book is a classic. I would recommend it to any parent. I didn't see it as a way a mother holds a child back from adventuring out, but as a way a mother/father can deal with a little child wanting to runaway. My son has told me a time or two that he was going to runaway (I believe all kids do - I can remember telling my mom) next time he tells me that I'll just remind him of this story and that I am a mommy bunny! Call me crazy, but I'm assuming that God has read this book as well. After all He keeps running after each and every one of us. Children of all ages need to know that.

A heartwarming tale with an equally heartwarming message
Ever thought of running away? Or, have you ever been really angry at your mother? Well, I have just the cure for that, this book. This is timeless tale of a little bunny who can't help but test the extent of his mother's love, but for every idea the little bunny has for running away, his mother counters with a way of making sure they are always together. For instance, when the little bunny says he will escape his mother by turning into a sailboat, his mother says in reply "If you turn into a sailboat, I will become the wind and blow you home." A wonderful story that displays the unconditional love a mother has for her children.

great book
I think this book is a wonderful demonstration in love.The message is no matter what happens i will be there for you. reading some of the other reviews I feel that some people are reading into a sweet story.

Scary? Disturbing?! Squashed spirits?!? Not at all!
The one- and two-star people have the totally wrong impression. What do you think the (equivalent) age of the little runaway bunny is -- 16 to 25? To what age group are we reading a book like this? You have somehow missed the point, and context.

The idea here is that the little bunny is a very young child, far too young to be on his own -- you know this when he actually tells his mother he is running away! Imagine your child of 4 to 7, momentarily angry about something, who tells you he wants to run away from home, pouting and saying things he doesn't mean, wanting attention, testing your love. (Heck, imagine your adolescent of 16 literally running away, though he wouldn't warn you beforehand!) He is far too young to be on his own, and his mother loves him so much that she will always be there for him when he needs her, and will not let harm come to him. He needs her now, though in his current emotional state he doesn't realize it. Would you let your child run away?

This book's audience is toddler through early-reader, the kind of age where their early needs for independence are joined with an intense need to feel the constant love and presence of the parent -- they need to know their parent(s) will always be there for them. Margaret Wise Brown was not talking about an older child figuratively spreading his or her wings, only to be smothered and squashed by Mother's "love." (The only overall metaphor here is that bunnies = humans.) She's literally talking about an immature child impulsively saying he will run away, and what any good, loving parent would say and do to help and comfort him. The book is from 1942, so perhaps that makes it unclear to some, but from the moment I read it I understood the context; it is a beautiful story if you understand the intent. That little bunny has a great imagination -- the color pages are his mental images of the previous text -- and Mama is fostering it with her responses in kind.

There is one place where I would have worded the mother's part differently: where she she becomes the wind, she says "...blow you where I want you to go." I would have said, "...blow you back to me," and I think that's what the author meant. Also, somebody commented in 2000 about the "I will fish for you" part and said the mother catches him on a hook. Look at the picture -- there is no hook on the line, just a carrot tied on for the little bunny to bite, and a net to scoop him up.

I've replaced our worn, torn paperback with the big lap edition boardbook. We also have the "Goodnight Moon" lap edition, and although they are big and heavy, the size is a plus for the illustrations, and they're virtually indestructible. Our first daughter (4.5) caused many small rips in the pages of her books as she turned them with gusto, and our second daughter (20 mos.) likes to finish those rips when she can! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"I cannot draw you a picture of Peter and Benjamin underneath the basket," writes Beatrix Potter in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, "because it was quite dark, and because the smell of onions was fearful; it made Peter Rabbit and little Benjamin cry." Beatrix Potter's animal stories, the first of which was published in 1902, have been a joy to generations of young readers. This deluxe volume collects all of Beatrix Potter's 23 Peter Rabbit tales and verses together--complete and unabridged--in one book. All the original illustrations, both color and black and white, are included. The stories are arranged in the order in which they were first published to enable them to be read in the proper sequence, from A Tale of Peter Rabbit to The Tale of Little Pig Robinson. Beatrix Potter's tales were often connected with real places, people, or animals, so each story also includes a brief introductory note about its history. For example, "The story of naughty Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor's garden first appeared in a picture letter Beatrix Potter wrote to Noel Moore, the young son of her former governess, in 1893." In addition to the original 23 tales, this edition contains two early narrative picture sequences, Three Little Mice and The Rabbit's Christmas Party. And, there are two charming little stories, The Sly Old Cat and The Fox and the Stork, which were originally intended to be worked up into books, but remained unpublished. This beautiful introduction to the world of Beatrix Potter is sure to remain on the family bookshelf for generations to come. (Baby to Preschool) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Gorgeous book!
Hubby & I bought this book for our 9 month old daughter. Beatrix Potter is my personal favorite in childrens books. We love the illustrations & the stories are wonderful. Baby loves this book! A must have for parents who are building a book collection for their child. A timeless classic. :)

Irresistible cuddly animals with human personalities.
Beatrix Potter acquired her love and knowledge of animals and the countryside during family holidays in Scotland. She also had animals as her constant companions as a child. She sketched and observed them for hours at a time.

Beatrix Potter's books have never lost their popularity. They are sold by the millions and have been translated into over fifteen languages. While her first story in 1902, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was published in a small edition by Frederick Warne, within a year it was an instant best seller.

This deluxe volume is a collection of all twenty-three tales and some previously unpublished works. The stories are arranged in the order of publication as several are linked together by events or familiar characters.

Both the watercolors and black and white illustrations have been included. Children will adore the rhyming names of goosey gander and pig-wig. The animals seem to almost take on human personalities. In fact, these magical stories are often connected with real people places or animals.

Little girls who have a doll house will love "The Tale of Two Bad Mice," in which two hungry mice try to eat the artificial plaster doll food. Even at my age I found it irresistibly amusing. These little animals just have such great personalities.

Timeless Book
I read the stories of Beatrix Potter when I was a child and now share them with my own kids. Also check out the book Original Animals by Michael Horton as a great bedtime storybook with morals and wonderful stories. You'll be happy you did!

always a kid
This is a wonderful book to have in your collection. The illustrations are lovely.

Book for a lifetime of fun reading
I purchased these tales for my eldest, who's now 17, when she was four. They were and continue to be great stories for her. She reads them to children when she babysits! Now I've purchased this book for my youngest, who's four. She just loves hearing the stories. She looks forward to "reading time" in bed just before she falls asleep as she goes from one adventure to another. I HIGHLY recommend this book for young and old alike. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This immensely popular children's story is told from the point of view of a dog named Harold. It all starts when Harold's human family, the Monroes, goes to see the movie Dracula, and young Toby accidentally sits on a baby rabbit wrapped in a bundle on his seat. How could the family help but take the rabbit home and name it Bunnicula? Chester, the literate, sensitive, and keenly observant family cat, soon decides there is something weird about this rabbit. Pointy fangs, the appearance of a cape, black-and-white coloring, nocturnal habits … it sure seemed like he was a vampire bunny. When the family finds a white tomato in the kitchen, sucked dry and colorless, well … Chester becomes distraught and fears for the safety of the family. "Today, vegetables. Tomorrow … the world!" he warns Harold. But when Chester tries to make his fears known to the Monroes, he is completely misunderstood, and the results are truly hilarious. Is Bunnicula really a vampire bunny? We can't say. But any child who has ever let his or her imagination run a little wild will love Deborah and James Howe's funny, fast-paced "rabbit-tale of mystery." (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (75)

bunnicula
I read the book Bunnicula. It's about a dog named Harold
and a cat named Chester. And of course a rabbit named
Bunnicula.(not your ordinary cuddley rabbit.)
It all started when harold and chester's owners came
home from a dracula movie.And the owners didn't come
home by themselves. They came with a box with a rabbit
in it.They put the rabbit in a cage. They had some
trouble nameing the rabbit. But they finally found
the name of bunnicula. Probably because of the fact
that they found bunnicula at a dracula movie.
And they sure picked the right name for him. Chester
began to notice that the black spot on Bunnicula looked
like a cape. Chester stayed awake to see what bunnicula
did at night.(I would of though a rabbit would sleep
at night.) Chester noticed that the sly rabbit wasn't
in his cage. He heard a noise in the kitchen. The door
of the kitchen opened. And guess who was hopping happily
out of the kitchen.(That was a sentance from the book.)
The next morning all of the veggitables were white.
On the third time Bunnicula went out for his midnight snack
Chester was prepared. He was trying to starve Bunnicula.
Harold yelled at Chester. Bunnicula looked sick.A few
days later Harold took Bunnicula out of his cage and
lead him to the kitchen. I can't tell the ending because
this is an online review. I recommend this book if you
like bunny vampires.

Still one of my favorites!
My old copy of "Bunnicula" is old and brittle from being read so many times as a kid, and is still a nostalgic favorite. This book is the first of many about the Monroes, an average family with not-so-average pets. First off there is Harold, the "author" of the book, who is an older mutt and is very gentle and somewhat dimwitted. Next there is Chester, a cat who is partial to reading at night (especially Edgar Allan Poe) and therefore has developed an overactive imagination. At first its just the two of them until the Monroes come home from seeing "Dracula" at the movie theater- who have brought home an abandoned bunny rabbit with them! This bunny is very unusual, with black "cape" markings in its fur, sleeps during the day, and drains all the vegetables in the house of their juice and color! Only Chester suspects Bunnicula is a vampire and sets out in a quest to expose the bunny. This is a great book for little kids as well as older ones, and also good for reading out loud to a kid because its not too long either. The sequels which are essential to this book are "Howliday Inn," "The Celery Stalks at Midnight," and "Nighty Nightmare." Those were some of the first to follow up on "Bunnicula" and therefore the best. This should be given to every child who loves a laugh as well as a thrill at the same time. Enjoy!

We loved this book.
Bunnicula is a very good book because it is funny. In this book a cat can read, a dog can write and a bunny sucks juice out of vegetables. Read this book and you will find out how to get rid of vampires, even bunny vampires.
Kids won't like this mystery; they'll love it! If you like animals, you will love this book.
So, if you want to find out more, read the book Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe.

My summary and thoughts of Bunnicula !
Bunnicula was a great book. If I was you I` d read it because it is funny ,scary and, weird. But you will probably like it too! Here` s what I like about it. My favorite character is Bunnicula! My favorite part is when Chester is wearing Mr. Monroe` s shaving towel on his back acting like a vampire .Bunnicula was a really good book!

I loved this series!
When I was a kid, I loved this series. These books have everything - humor, talking animals, mystery, a vampire rabbit... what more could you want? I just found out there are two books in the series I never read. Even though I am in my mid 20's, I still want to get those and read them. Bunnicula is great for kids of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Rhyming Story
A TERRIFIC BOOK FOR YOUNG CHILDREN!!!! THIS LOVELY LITTLE BOOK TELLS THE STORY OF A BUNNY FINDING ITS WAY HOME AFTER IT WAS RUDELY AWAKENED BY AN, QUOTE, "APPLE, BIG AND RED". IT MEETS UP WITH A FROG, A, QUOTE, "KITTEN, CATNIP CRAZY" AND A LIZARD. THE BOOK CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL, 1-YEAR-OLDS THROUGH 100-YEAR-OLDS. IN SOME EDITIONS, IT ALSO HAS A NICE LITTLE SONG. HERE IS A LITTLE SOMETHING FROM THE BOOK:

A FOR APPLE, BIG AND RED
B FOR BUNNY, SNUG ABED
C FOR CRASH, D FOR DASH,
E FOR ELSEWHERE IN A FLASH
F FOR FROG, HE'S FAT AND FUNNY
"LOOKS LIKE RAIN" HE SAYS TO BUNNY
G FOR GAIL, H FOR HAIL
HIPPETY-HOP GOES BUNNY'S TAIL
I FOR INSECTS HER AND THERE,
J FOR JAY WITH JAUNTY AIR
K FOR KITTEN, CATNIP CRAZY
L FOR LIZARD LOOK HOW LAZY........
Y FOR YOU, TAKE ONE LAST LOOK,
Z FOR ZERO. CLOSE THE BOOK!

abc bunny
What a lovely book for young children. ABC Bunny creatively displays the alphabet in story form. In the little bunny's many encounters with other critters it lays the groundwork for a great nature study. There is a cute little song for children who like to sing as well as be read to! The illustrations are enticing and full of action. Written in a very original way to introduce the alphabet to young children, I hope that this book will soon be back in print so that we can continue to share it with others.

A classic alphabet book.
A small book on the alphabet which tells a story in rhyme of a bunny going home. It was a 1934 Newbery Honor book (i.e., runner-up to the Medal winner) for best contribution to American children's literature. Wanda Gág (1893-1946) was a well-known illustrator and writer of children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

One moonlit night when the world was young, Rabbit danced in a grove of willow trees, nibbling twigs from a raspberry bush and dreaming of the coming spring. Rabbit's tail flowed out behind him, for in those days it was long and thick like Squirrel's tail is today. In How Rabbit Lost His Tail, based on a Seneca legend, Ann Tompert's playful text and Jacqueline Chwast's elegant illustrations tell the story of Rabbit's embarrassing loss long ago in the magic of a woodland spring. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great book!
This book is a wonderful folk tale for all to enjoy. I read it to my children; ages 3 and 6. They were intriqued by the pictures and the plot. This tale brings insight into the theory of evolution and sparks the imagination. It also teaches cooperation and sharing which are so imporatant in the learning process. ... Read more

Book Description

The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of stories and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes. Originally produced by Parabola magazine in audio format, many of these stories appear here in written form for the first time, with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions.

This collection of 15 Cherokee tales introduces the trickster-hero Rabbit, the most important character portrayed in the animal stories of the Cherokee culture. The surefooted messenger who carries important news to his animal friends near and far, Rabbit is charming and mischievous-he tricks others and is often tricked himself. Sometimes he wins and sometimes he loses; sometimes he is lazy and mean, sometimes kind and caring-but somehow Rabbit always survives. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Leave Seeds, Not Money
What a bargain on this book! I bought several copies to give to my daughters friends who have a loose tooth. I'll be giving packets of carrot seeds along with the book. I love the idea of substituting the seeds for the usual quarter (or dollar, with the rate of inflation these days!) The story along with the seeds teach a child responsibility, nurturing and patience. You couldn't ask for a better gift from the tooth fairy.

An Unusual twist on the conventional idea of the Tooth Fairy
Selby's The Seed Bunny is a wonderful book to read. Children like it for it's vivid pictures, adults for the message it sends. A message that is clear to parents and children alike; things change for a reason, sometimes the reason might not be completely clear, but everthing works out in time. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Peter's review of Dear Peter Rabbit
My 5 year old son enjoys having this book read to him, especially when he pulls the letters out of the envelopes. He enjoys the characters and illustrations and the story itself. I received this book as a gift for my son, but it must have been opened in the store previously. As a result, one of the letters is missing! On the page where Mr. Jeremy Fisher (the frog) is described, there are 2 envelopes. I have the letter that reads as follows:

Mr. Jeremy Fisher Pond House

Mr. Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise

Requests the pleasure of

Mr. Jeremy Fisher's

Company at Dinner

(there will be a snail)

R.S.V.P.

I am looking for the other letter for Jeremy Fisher. Can anybody help me? I can't find the book anywhere, and I am not going to buy another copy just for one letter. Can somebody respond with the text and describe the picture on the letter that I need. I will recreate it on my computer. Thank you very much.

Cute-- but not what is promised
I am not returning this book as it is innovative in it's artistic approach, but these letters were not sent to children. They are letters, very brief ones, that are between characters and are just unintersting. "Dear Mr Owl" I recal one saying, "Please bring back my tail." and it is signed Squirel Nutkin. Maybe I am missing something, but I cannot fathom why the author would send these to her readers. I had anticipated letters that would illuminate her writings! ... Read more

Book Description

When Max and Ruby head into town to get presents for Grandma's birthday, they run into nothing but trouble! Ruby has a beautiful present all picked out, but of course Max has his own ideas. Soon their simple trip to town becomes a rollicking adventure as one mishap leads to another!Will these two be able to find the right presents for Grandma before all their money disappears?In this new, outrageous adventure, Max and Ruby learn the value of money...in their own inimitable way. With its fresh, bright watercolor illustrations, Bunny Money is Max and Ruby at their very best! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Max does it again
A cute story about kids and shopping...and the things that can go wrong! Includes pages that you can copy so your child can have "bunny money". Very cute.

another good Max and Ruby book
I think this is one of the better Max and Ruby books, along with Bunny Cakes and Bunny Party. Has play money on the end pages that you can photocopy and cut out for your kids to play with. Neat concept and fun to discuss who the "famous rabbits" on the different bills are supposed to be.

Cute Kid's book, Great Math Lesson!!!
Cute! Max and Ruby go shopping for their Grandma's birthday, but are disappointed when their dream gift costs $100. They do not have much money and Max keeps wasting it. (Food, trip to the laundromat, bus fare, etc.) They manage to buy two "great" presents~ from Ruby, singing bluebird earrings, from Max glow in the dark vampire teeth. But their money is all used up. So Grandma picks them up and she wears the gifts all they way home.
It is a math lesson because they show how much money they have before and after the buy. (Like they have eight dollars, they spend two dollars, they have six left.)

Like Bunnies? Read This Book!
In the book Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells, bunnies Max and Ruby are trying to buy their grandmother a present for her birthday. Max and Ruby spend a lot of money. Will they be able to get what they want? Find out in Bunny Money. I really like Bunny Money because the book shows how much money the bunnies have.

Student from Grosse Pointe

Anthony L. LOVED this Rosemary Wells book!!
I am a second grader. My name is Anthony L. I have been reading a lot of books by Rosemary Wells in my classroom, and BUNNY MONEY is my favorite book. Grandma put the earrings and the vampire teeth on and she looked funny!! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

My 3-year-old LOVES it!
Rosemary Wells has it figured out. My 3-year-old daughter LOVES this book, and we have read and re-read it numerous times together. There are so many things to talk about - Why does Ruby want Max out of the kitchen? Why dies Max spill things? Why would Grandma want to eat a dirt cake? Is Max & Ruby's Grandma's name the same as my Grandma? What ARE red-hot marshmallow squirters? It provokes some really great questions and conversations with my daughter. Ms. Wells is a remarkable story teller.

Max as always finds a way to get what he wants-a great book!
The charm of the Max and Ruby books owes much to the fact that many of us have had an older sibling or friend like Ruby---she knows more, is able to do more and wants to be in charge, but Max always finds a way to get what he wants! This book also explores the mystery of writing, and made my older son eager to learn to write---and I think writing is a topic less stressed in picture books than reading. Everyone should have a grandma like Max and Ruby, someone who will love both edible and inedible cakes equally! As always, Wells is wonderful!

another good Max and Ruby Book
I think this is one of the better Max and Ruby books, along with Bunny Money and Bunny Party and Max Cleans Up.

Max and Ruby
This is a nice little story that is popular with my three children ages 3,4,6. Any child who is a fan of Max and Ruby will like this story...........................

cakes
I liked bunny cakes b/c it kind of tells you to try as hard as you can and you will eventually get the hang of things.like max and making cakes and writing the ingerdients. ... Read more