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)
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Abusive relationship Comment: This has to be the creepiest book for young children I have ever read. It is a perfect allegory for an abusive relationship. The mother bunny is an abusive husband and the baby bunny is an abused wife. The "mother" stalks the "baby" and convinces him that there is no way to escape even in fantasy. In the end the "baby", like many victims of domestic abuse, gives up hope and decides that if he pleases his abuser his life will be better. Customer Rating: Summary: Sweet Comment: I do not yet have any kids of my own, but I was touched by the sweet message of maternal love in this book. The illustrations are gorgeous. Customer Rating: Summary: It's so scary... Comment: I think this book is awful. My little sister received it from a relative, and actually had nightmares about it. It's not a good thing to stalk your kids, seriously. Let them have a bit of autonomy and some room to grow and develop in their own ways. Heck, even if they run away, it's probably okay. I know that I would "run away" all the time as a kid, but I always came back, and I always learned something from the attempt. Don't smother your kids quite so much, and maybe we'll have more innovative, responsible adults in the future. Customer Rating: Summary: Very nice book Comment: I just ordered books for my almost 2 year old grandchild. Out of the seven I sent her my daughter says that the baby loves this one the most. The pictures are nice in a vintage style of soft colors and pen and ink.
My grandchild listens while the entire book is read. Customer Rating: Summary: Nothing more than a classic transformation story Comment: This is a type of story that has been told almost as long as there have been storytellers, except that this story is (uniquely?) suitable for preschoolers and babies.
The little bunny declares he'll run away for no other reason than because he can say such a thing. At that age, children say all sorts of silly things, but they really still want their parents to run after them and hug them - which is what the mama bunny here does.
