BORROWING BUNNIES

A true tale of bunny fostering sure to warm readers’ hearts.

Newbery Honoree Lord volunteers as a foster parent for a rabbit-rescue organization, training her charges to be good house pets before they are adopted for good. When she took in two Netherland Dwarf bunnies who had been living exclusively in an outdoor hutch, she got a surprise. After working to show them that humans could be kind and life in a house comfortable (and full of good treats), Lord discovered that Pegotty, the female, had delivered kits. Lord named the litter of four after Dickens characters (like their mother). Tiny Tim and Pip weren’t hearty enough to survive despite special care, but their siblings thrived. Fezziwig and Dodger learned new things each day visiting Lord’s own rabbits and the great outdoors. After eight weeks, it was the bittersweet time for the bunnies to find their forever homes…but one already had! Lord’s narrative is dotted with bunny-care instructions and explanations of vocabulary and care concepts. Bald’s photography includes both close-ups and action shots of the rabbits at all stages of life; they are unsurprisingly adorable. Mitchell’s humorous line drawings decorate and extend the photographs nicely. All work together in a package that could make a bunny lover out of anyone.

An ideal gift for rabbit fans and a great addition to the cute-animal shelves.