CINDER RABBIT

Zoe is ecstatic when she lands the lead in her school’s spring play, Cinder Rabbit. That is, until she realizes that she will have to lead the other students in the Bunny Hop. Zoe hasn’t been able to hop since Winifred laughed at her when she bounced into a mud puddle and fell. As the play approaches, Zoe feels increasingly anxious and, practice though she may, she can’t get her hop back. Meanwhile, the class prepares the sets, creates posters, costumes and invitations for the production. During rehearsal, though Zoe tries to overcome her fear and her classmates cheer her on, she feels defeated when Winifred teases her again. On the night of the performance, despite her buoyant nature, Zoe freezes up until Prince Charming’s amusing reenactment of a trip to town inspires her to leap above her fears. Plentifully illustrated with darling, expressive bunnies, this early chapter book lightly but effectively explores the consequences of bullying while extolling the virtues of perseverance. (Fiction. 6-9)