The Princess Eilonwy is one of the many attractive characters growing up through the previous titles in the continuing chronicle of Prydain: The Book of Three. The Black Cauldron. Although it's her plight that instigates the action here, it is still Taran's story — the impatient, ambitious Assistant Pig Keeper of Caer Dallben, who has been on his way to becoming quite a man in these stories. The Princess has reached an age where the wizard Dallben decides despite her protests that her hoyden ways must be polished to royal refinement. She is dispatched to the Isle of Mona to be trained under the direction of Queen Teleria and the protection of King Rhuddlum. It comes as an awful blow to Taran that their plan is to prepare Eilonwy to become the bride of their son, Prince Rhun, a foolish stripling of good intentions, hereditary powers and small capacity. Rhun's safety becomes Taran's charge which considerably complicates Eilonwy's rescue. No sooner had she been installed at Mona than she was kidnapped by her wicked relative, the enchantress Achen, who needed certain magical powers and properties belonging to Eilonwy, who was not fully aware of them. The struggles between the forces of good and evil continue at the terrific pace established in the first books. Character and dialogue is handled humorously and dextrously, which sets this classic-in-the-making apart from other folklore-based fantasies. Any discussion of whether or not this book can stand completely by itself without the others seems quite beside the point. We think it might. The point is that in terms of bookstore inventories and library collections it shouldn't have to, and where the ultimate readers stumble into the series is, after all, subject to control. It is clear from the author's note that there is more to come that will resolve some of the situations set in motion here. This includes a magnificent cat force fed to horse proportions and prone to housepet gambolings and an embittered self-made giant trapped underground. And, as before, the compelling mystery of Taran's destiny and Prydain's fate.
Pub Date: April 11, 1966
ISBN: 0805080503
Page Count: 212
Publisher: Holt Rinehart & Winston
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1966
This bunny escapes all the traps but fails to find a logical plot or an emotional connection with readers.
The bestselling series (How to Catch an Elf, 2016, etc.) about capturing mythical creatures continues with a story about various ways to catch the Easter Bunny as it makes its annual deliveries.
The bunny narrates its own story in rhyming text, beginning with an introduction at its office in a manufacturing facility that creates Easter eggs and candy. The rabbit then abruptly takes off on its delivery route with a tiny basket of eggs strapped to its back, immediately encountering a trap with carrots and a box propped up with a stick. The narrative focuses on how the Easter Bunny avoids increasingly complex traps set up to catch him with no explanation as to who has set the traps or why. These traps include an underground tunnel, a fluorescent dance floor with a hidden pit of carrots, a robot bunny, pirates on an island, and a cannon that shoots candy fish, as well as some sort of locked, hazardous site with radiation danger. Readers of previous books in the series will understand the premise, but others will be confused by the rabbit’s frenetic escapades. Cartoon-style illustrations have a 1960s vibe, with a slightly scary, bow-tied bunny with chartreuse eyes and a glowing palette of neon shades that shout for attention.
This bunny escapes all the traps but fails to find a logical plot or an emotional connection with readers. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4926-3817-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p>
Caregiver-child love abounds in this rhyming board book full of animal puns.
One thing’s for certain, there’s plenty of sweet (and groanworthy) sentiments in this book. Rossner writes, “Giving HOGS and kisses / sends me to the moon!” and, “I’m such a lucky DUCK. / You really QUACK me up!” The book progresses entirely in this fashion, with a new animal pair and pun with each page turn. It reads well as a book for a caregiver to share with a lap-sitting child. On that mark, it succeeds in providing plenty of opportunities for giggles and snuggles. That said, at times the meter is forced, making the cadence a bit stilted, and the cuddles/bubbles rhyme is a dubious one. This is an issue for a book that will almost solely be read aloud. Gibson’s illustrations are very charming; the animals and insects with big eyes and expressive faces have high appeal. The warmth of the animals’ embraces and cuddles translates well from the page, inviting the same snuggles from readers. Decorated eggs appear on each page, and the bunny pair from the cover features prominently. Overall, the concept and message of the book are high interest and age-appropriate, but it doesn’t stand out from the very crowded shelf of “I love you, little one!” books similar to it.
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p> (Board book. 6 mos.-2)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-2343-8
Page Count: 25
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
