PLAYTIME EXPRESS WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
From the Playtime Express series
by Layla Sutton ; illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
A group of toy animals board the Playtime Express train to Bunnyville.
When a toy dinosaur, bear, lion, and unicorn ride the train through a tunnel, they come to life on the other side. It’s spring in Bunnyville, and the animals are excited to experience it. They meet the Easter Bunny and assist with an egg hunt. They enjoy lots of muddy play in the garden, splash in puddles during a rain shower, and help decorate eggs and hand out Easter baskets. At the end of their busy day, the animals board the train back to a child’s playroom, becoming toys once again. The rhyming text bounces along as easily as the many rabbits in Bunnyville, making this a fitting read-aloud. Zivoin’s illustrations are brightly colored, child-friendly, and brimming with sweetness; an especially endearing one depicts a line of ducklings in rain boots with umbrellas joyfully splashing through spring raindrops. The visuals include plenty of adorable details, like the dinosaur clutching its very own stuffed dino or the Easter Bunny hiding among stuffed animals in the child’s room. The uncomplicated storytelling and appealing pictures make for a worthwhile read.
A simple springtime story that will have toddlers hopping with excitement.
(Picture book. 1-3)