Dear Bunny

When I want to test a new book on my little ones, I always choose the kindergarten class because they are so reactive. As a small-school librarian, I am automating our collection and have discovered so many books I didn't know we have (this is my fourth year). When I found "Dear Bunny," frankly, I did not know what reaction to expect. It is a mushy love story. You see, some of the boys, highly active, want "big boy books"--skateboarding, snakes, monster trucks. So romance? Forget it! But, of course, I was wrong. "Dear Bunny" received the most positive reaction of ANY book I have ever read to kindergarten! A mushy love story! As I have taught them from the beginning, always look at the cover before opening the book. Many illustrators will begin there. Open to the end pages (inside pages at beginning and ending of book). "Dear Bunny" provides tidbits of the story: Little mice holding up snippets of terms of endearment, similar to those on those little Valentine heart candies with messages--Be mine, Sweetheart. But these illustrations are so soft and pastel, laced with, well, lace and flowers and clover. The art looks like translucent, delicately made paper. Then the story: Valentino (Tino) and Valenteenie (Teenie) live across the hollow from each other and sit and stare at each other with eyes of unrequited love. Finally, Tino sends basically a note of invitation to come eat clover and daisies with him on his side. Not knowing Tino has written, Teenie sends him a note filled with lace and pansies and clover as little treats (a female's inclination to nurture the male). They each mail their letters in the log in the hollow between them. Wait, it rains. The nearby mice need a safe shelter so they take up in the log. To their delight there is all this paper and delicate little vegetation to use in making nests. What luck! What fun! For the next few weeks they live warmly and safely and comfortably. Meanwhile, unrequited love is hurting and disappointing. After the rains stop and the mice come out, they see what they have done. Those end pages hint at their plan of action. Let's just say love is requited! The children ooh-ed and ah-ed, they said oh-no to the shredding, they were delighted with the ending. Again, I repeat, "Dear Bunny" has been their very favorite book. In comparison with other favorites--Verdiby Janell Cannon, the story of a big ol' boa constrictor, or Tuesday by David Wiesner, about magic lily pads and flying frogs, or When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang, the visual picturing of Sophie's explosive temper-- "Dear Bunny" shows that children love variety and appreciate the most basic of human emotions: love! Dedicated to Karen, Betty, and Linda, other lovers of children's books!

Two bunnies write letters back and forth, both thinking the other is not interested until a mouse family secretly unites them. This book is cute, cute, cute! My daughter asks for me to read it almost daily.

I thought this was an adorable book. As I was reading it, I kept thinking what a wonderful book this would be for Valentine's Day.