Tale of Martha B. Rabbit

This is absolutely one of my kids' favorite books. The stories are creative and fun, but it's the excellent artwork that really sets this book above others. The pictures are richly colorful and highly detailed with plenty to look at and entertain even the most fidgety child while you read the text. Martha B. Rabbit and Tabitha Cat live in an apple tree house in the forest. In the first story, "The Unexpected Guests," Martha perceives that the coming winter will be an especially cold one. So they proceed to prepare and store away as much as possible, including organizing a nut gathering and berry-picking picnic among the neighborhood, and end up helping a herd of deer through the long and cold winter. The second story, "Daphne the Forgetful Duck" concerns a neighboring duck with a terrible memory and a large brood of ducklings that she has a hard time managing. Although Martha and Tabitha offer to watch the ducklings while Daphne goes to market, Daphne forgets and leaves them at home. The third story, and unquestionably my 5 year-old daughter's favorite, is "Those Wicked Rats Again." Blackie, Brownie, and Spotto are three rats who continually scheme to steal food from Martha as she walks home from work late at night. Their plots are clever but are always foiled by Tabitha, with very humorous pictures to go along. Highly recommended for young kids, although parents will probably have to read it to them for a while, as it's not exactly beginning vocabulary.

I can not say enough about this book. Let's put it this way. My16 year old daughter has been bugging me to find the box that I packed it away in (for safe keeping for her future children).She wants to keep it where she can continue to enjoy it. The illistrations are so beautiful and the story line so refreshing that even the youngest of children will be drawn to this book again and again. This is a treasure to pass down from child to child. Makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

Martha B. Rabbit was the best cook in the forest. Every summer she would gather up all sorts of fruits and nuts that she would need to keep her going through the winter. Then one day, three robber rats moved into the forest where Martha B. Rabbit had her home. Not long after, the rats decided they would steal all of Martha's food. Late one night, they made their way to Martha's house and took everything that she had collected during the summer. When Martha discovered what had happened the next morning, she made up her mind to find work somewhere as a cook. She eventually found her way to Mr. Gnome's Guest House. Mr. Gnome was looking for a good cook and Martha knew she could do the job. In return for her services, Mr. Gnome agreed to feed Martha and Tabitha Cat, Martha's new friend, through the winter months. If only she didn't have to worry about those rats coming back again. What can Martha do to keep them away for good?This heart-warming story is filled with beautiful illustrations that make it a wonderful children's book. I'm sure you will enjoy this classic fairy-tale.

My almost 3 year old has really enjoys this book, which I have read to him since he was an infant. The illustrations are beautiful and intricate, and tell the tale almost as well as the words._____ I think my son first said "apple tree" while we were reading this book. Now he enjoys pointing out all of the various items on each page and what the characters are doing.___________ I am an older mother and do not really like many of the newer, "RugRat"-style illustrations, so this was a refreshing change. The stories are gentle enough to tell before bedtime and have good values to relate, without being preachy at all._________ I would love to find more books like this from this same author and illustrator.____________ I also like that Martha is a smart, industrious female character, but I actually think that there are lots of female characters like that, even in older literature._________ This book reminds me of one of MY favotrite childhood books, "A Treasury of Elves and Fairies," but this book is a little easier to grasp and not as "dark."

This is hands down my absolute favorite book to read to my children. It ranks up there with "Goodnight Moon" and "Where the Wild Things Are" as far as I'm concerned! It is the story of a friendly, resourceful and independent little rabbit who lives in an apple tree and loves to cook. When all her stores for the winter are stolen by a trio of mean rats, she quickly pulls herself together and finds work as a cook for Mr. Gnome's Guesthouse. I love this book for so many reasons! I love that Martha is such a strong female character who can turn misfortune into triumph. I love the magical yet humorous settings of the apple tree home and the guesthouse for fairies and elves. And best of all, I love the beautifully detailed and inspired illustrations! Martha's home looks so cozy, you just want to climb into her bed and go to sleep. My children and I really enjoy reading all the little signs tucked away in the pictures of the guesthouse (for example, a sign on the front door states "Terms - 2 Wishes per Year, 1 Wish in Advance.") If you or your children love fairy tales, but maybe you worry about the messages they send to little girls, this book is a treat! I really hope the publisher sees this and considers reprinting it, because I will be first in line for a copy of my own to keep and not worry about the kids' copy getting worn out!