Why Do You Cry?: Not a Sob Story

Little Rabbit is about to celebrate his fifth birthday with a grown-up birthday party. He tells Mother Rabbit, "I'm done with crying. . . Crying is for babies, and I'm not a baby anymore." He decides to invite only those who are big, "like me," and don't cry. But when he surveys his animal friends, he finds out that they still do cry. Mother Rabbit weeps, too, even when she's happy. Little Rabbit can't believe all this! Mother Rabbit tells him, "You can cry for any reason. Or for no reason at all." Growing up doesn't have to mean never crying again, so they throw a huge birthday bash for all his friends. Any mother of a child who seems to be growing up too fast will understand who's holding the hankie as Little Rabbit blows out the candles. The satisfying conclusion of this sweet story is illustrated with expressive animals, sly gags, and clever details on every page -- everything we book lovers have come to expect (and cherish) from books by the team of Kate and M. Sarah Klise. Brava! (A version of this review appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly.)