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LITTLE RABBIT’S CHRISTMAS by Harry Horse

LITTLE RABBIT’S CHRISTMAS

by Harry Horse & illustrated by Harry Horse

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-56145-419-8
Publisher: Peachtree

The fourth entry in this series from England about Little Rabbit is the story of the bunny child’s realization that friendship and love are better gifts than any toy left by the Christmas Rabbit. After Little Rabbit spies a spiffy red sled in a store window, he longs to have it for Christmas, and his wish is fulfilled. Like many children, Little Rabbit hasn’t learned to share, and he won’t let his friends have a ride on the sled. After Little Rabbit crashes and breaks it, his friends come to his rescue and repair his broken sled. The concluding pages show Little Rabbit (lesson learned) and his friends sledding together and then celebrating their friendship around the Christmas tree. The story is gently and simply told, without unnecessary words or comments on Little Rabbit’s behavior. His selfishness is subtly indicated through dialogue alone, and the kind actions of his friends also stand, without authorial comment, for young listeners to figure out for themselves. Horse’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations are sweetly old-fashioned, and he manages amusing, expressive looks on Little Rabbit’s face, especially in the scenes when he doesn’t care to share. (Picture book. 3-6)