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sassmistress's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
5.0
This is a lovely story that would be particularly enjoyable for family-minded young girls. It's basically a fairy tale, with a sweet theme of virtue and a high view of motherhood.
It begins with a little girl bunny who wishes she could be chosen to be one of the Easter bunnies. She grows up being laughed at, and one day marries and has 21 baby bunnies and pretty much gives up on that dream. She pours into her children, teaching them to mind the house, cook dinner, dance and make art, etc. She takes care to ensure none of them are left out.
Then, on the day a new Easter bunny is to be selected, they go to watch, and she is selected, because she is wise and kind, to have raised such well-behaved children, and swift enough to catch them! She is given a special assignment (because she "has such a loving heart for children") and proves herself brave as well, so she is given a pair of magical golden shoes that heal her wounds and allow her to fly with bounding leaps.
It begins with a little girl bunny who wishes she could be chosen to be one of the Easter bunnies. She grows up being laughed at, and one day marries and has 21 baby bunnies and pretty much gives up on that dream. She pours into her children, teaching them to mind the house, cook dinner, dance and make art, etc. She takes care to ensure none of them are left out.
Content Warnings
Religious content: Easter bunnies, regular mention of Easter with no mention of Christ--just bunnies and eggs.
The bunny does get hurt, but it should be fine for all but the most sensitive of children. After falling down, "there she lay, with the egg still safely clutched in her paw, but with a great pain in her leg." She tried to get up, "but the pain was so bad she fell down." Then she's healed.
angelamichelle's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of this little book until my MIL gave the kids a copy for Easter. It is a delight! The mother bunny has twenty-one children and trains them in pairs to wash and mend and paint and dance. So right there she's my kinda mama. Then when she fears she's old and worn-out, she gets chosen to be an Easter Bunny. Because turns out her work as a mother has made her wise, kind, and swift.
alexandramilne's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
One of those childhood books about which I have no perspective, because the memory of my family reading it together every Easter Eve is too dear. Although I do remember that my sisters and I were revolted by the little sleeping blond boy--he's a kid, not a cherub!
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
2.0
i want to like this progressive story but am bogged down by the 1939-ness of it
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
Stream of consciousness thoughts while I read:
Wait…in 1939, a white male author made the main character a POC, well, BOC (bunny of color)?! How totally progressive!
Wait…the mother bunny found herself married and then with 21 babies? Where did the husband go? No. Really. Why even mention the husband if he just left her with babies?
Wait…Jennifer, stop over-thinking the cute, adorable, Easter Bunny origin story and just read the darn thing!
Oh, look, Momma Bunny did what Momma’s do: organized her clan, raised them up right with manners and skills, and then took them off to watch her get selected for the honor-of-all-honors: one of five Easter Bunnies!
Thank you to my dear friend, Janice, for rediscovering this gem of a picture book while prepping an Easter display at my former library. She said it was a favorite of hers for years and I can see why. It really was a sweet story of family and how important a life beyond family can be.
Oh, wait…right, I was not supposed to be overthinking it! What a sweet Easter Bunny origin story that will answer every child’s question of “how does the bunny get to ALL THE HOUSES before sunrise?!”
Wait…in 1939, a white male author made the main character a POC, well, BOC (bunny of color)?! How totally progressive!
Wait…the mother bunny found herself married and then with 21 babies? Where did the husband go? No. Really. Why even mention the husband if he just left her with babies?
Wait…Jennifer, stop over-thinking the cute, adorable, Easter Bunny origin story and just read the darn thing!
Oh, look, Momma Bunny did what Momma’s do: organized her clan, raised them up right with manners and skills, and then took them off to watch her get selected for the honor-of-all-honors: one of five Easter Bunnies!
Thank you to my dear friend, Janice, for rediscovering this gem of a picture book while prepping an Easter display at my former library. She said it was a favorite of hers for years and I can see why. It really was a sweet story of family and how important a life beyond family can be.
Oh, wait…right, I was not supposed to be overthinking it! What a sweet Easter Bunny origin story that will answer every child’s question of “how does the bunny get to ALL THE HOUSES before sunrise?!”
alfajirikali's review against another edition
4.0
I found facets of this book quite remarkable. Originally published in 1939, it has a certain quaintness about it. But it also has a subtle feminist and youth empowering message as well.