HARE B&B

A young hare devises a clever plan to expose a suspicious guest who threatens her family.

After her mother gives birth to identical septuplets, former only child Harriet (known as Harry) becomes a devoted older sibling, warming bottles, changing nappies, telling stories, and giving piggyback rides. Returning home one day from a long walk with her siblings, Harry’s greeted with the tragic news a coyote, disguised as an encyclopedia salesman, has eradicated their parents. Determined to keep her home and family together, Harry opens the Hare B&B to take in paying guests, and, with help from all seven siblings, the enterprise proves successful. However, the arrival late one evening of a “homely” rabbit requesting a room triggers Harry’s concern. She suspects this “repulsive,” “revolting,” “repugnant” rabbit may actually be the coyote in disguise. Harry quickly sets into motion a remarkable plan involving all her siblings to rid themselves of their devious guest and exact fitting retribution (followed by rehabilitation). With echoes of “The Three Little Pigs” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” this contemporary revision reminds readers the world can be a “dangerous place,” but we must soldier on with love, plan carefully, and not “be fearful every time someone comes to the door.” Eccentric, detail-driven, original illustrations, rendered in delicate pencil lines washed in pale pastel hues, add edgy humor, visual energy, and whimsy to this little drama of deception and self-reliance.

An amusing and very relevant cautionary tale.