LITTLE BUNNY AND THE MAGIC CHRISTMAS TREE

An extra-large format and engaging illustrations of an adorable rabbit family help to elevate this story about a bunny boy who interacts with Christmas-tree ornaments that come alive on Christmas Eve.

When Little Bunny is teased by his older brother about his diminutive size, the young rabbit pouts and falls asleep under the Christmas tree. Some friendly ornaments encourage him to “think small,” and through some unexplained Christmas magic, Little Bunny shrinks down to the size of an ornament himself. He climbs up the tree, chats with the little characters and then drives his favorite fire-truck ornament through the branches and right up to the tree-top star. The ornaments invite Little Bunny to stay with them, but he misses his family, so he returns to reality in time for the Christmas morning celebration. Gorbachev’s expressive watercolor-and-ink illustrations make Little Bunny’s flight of fancy seem quite possible and realistic, and his buck-toothed bunny rabbits are endearing in their comical outfits, with clever touches like glasses and hair bows. The story is a little too long and wordy, though, too often telling what Little Bunny thinks rather than showing.

The saving touch of magic in the illustrations makes readers care about Little Bunny and his Christmas Eve quest. (Picture book. 3-7)