NOBUNNY’S PERFECT

Dewdney’s whimsical primer of good manners for little ones is bound to elicit giggles. Beginning with the premise that most every “bunny” is good but that sometimes, frustrating circumstances can occur, Dewdney provides a laundry list of taboo behaviors, gleefully recounted in sing-song, rhyming verse. While burping, biting and spitting your carrots out are frowned upon, Dewdney offers up appropriate, alternative choices. One possible concern for parents or caregivers would be its use of labeling “good” versus “bad” or “rude” bunnies, which appears to attribute the quality of goodness or badness to the actual bunnies rather than to their behaviors. Dewdney’s brightly colored illustrations feature a collection of cuddly, clothes-wearing bunnies in a preschool-like setting who comically demonstrate the various behaviors, both naughty and nice. That humor helps to sweeten the message. (Picture book. 2-5)