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THE BACKUP BUNNY

Name: THE BACKUP BUNNY
Author: Abigail Rayner
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4282-3

by Abigail Rayner ; illustrated by Greg Stones ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2018

A Velveteen Rabbit for kids of helicopter parents; be prepared for children to ask if their own favorites have backups.

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A tale to break a caregiver’s heart: the beloved stuffed animal is lost, and the backup fails to satisfy.

Told from the backup bunny’s perspective, Fluffy’s tale begins in Mom’s sock drawer, where he waits to swoop in and save the day should Max ever lose Bunny. In the meantime, the lonely toy dreams of what it might be like to be played with and loved instead of trapped in a drawer with the mismatches, the holey socks, and that foot smell. But when Bunny turns up missing one bedtime and Fluffy is pressed into Max’s arms, it doesn’t take the boy long to notice (and reject) the substitute. But Max still plays with him a bit, enough to get him filthy. And it’s while hanging on the clothesline that Fluffy spies Bunny in the treehouse…and keeps mum; this is his big chance. The guilt eats at him a bit amid the fun, but at bedtime, when Max again cries for Bunny, he can’t take it anymore and spills the beans. It’s back to the sock drawer. But not for long; Max has arms enough for two stuffed bunnies. Stones’ illustrations depict a wonderfully expressive, long-limbed, floppy-eared stuffed rabbit. Details are spare to keep the focus on feelings. Max and his mother are white with brown hair.

A Velveteen Rabbit for kids of helicopter parents; be prepared for children to ask if their own favorites have backups. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 6, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-7358-4282-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: NorthSouth

Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
VIOLET AND THE CRUMBS
by Abigail Rayner ; illustrated by Molly Ruttan

- BOOK REVIEW
I AM A THIEF!
by Abigail Rayner ; illustrated by Molly Ruttan

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)