When her wee bunny is unable to sleep, a mother rabbit calls upon her entire repertoire of soothing tactics to settle her little one down for the night. Awakened by cries of “I can’t sleep,” the bleary-eyed mother looks into the sparkling eyes of her youngest offspring and knows she’s in for a rambunctious night. Little Bunny has decided that staying up all night is the best way to get some extra-special Mommy time. From lullabies to warm baths, to even warmer milk, nothing seems to tucker out the tireless pip-squeak. Eventually it is the sheer exuberance of the young bunny that wears him out, as he dozes off mid-hop. Yet, as is the lot of weary parents and caregivers everywhere, the beleaguered Mrs. Rabbit just settles into bed when she hears the now-familiar wail from her next youngest child. Johnson’s tale is simply, sweetly told. Mrs. Rabbit exhibits endless patience and care, enveloping her child with warm, albeit weary, affection. Young readers will readily recognize Mrs. Rabbit’s familiar lullaby and playful rhymes, which are given a bunny twist: “Hush-a-bye bunny on the tree top,” and “Rub-a-dub dub, my bunny needs a scrub.” Hansen’s gently shaded, soft-pastel illustrations echo the tender loving care of the tale. Her captivating pictures feature an utterly cuddly bunny with an impish glint in his eye and a jaunty tilt to his long floppy ears. Like its energetic protagonist, this winsome tale is hard to resist. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 1-58925-017-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2002
A powerful affirmation for all dads—the good, the flawed, and those doing the best they can.
Dedicating his latest to “caregivers who give what they never got,” Caldecott Honor winner Robinson explores complicated feelings around fatherhood.
From the outset, the book appears to be a standard-issue Father’s Day offering, pairing brief, loving sentiments with images of animals. But it soon becomes clear that Robinson has crafted something much more complex. A frog with tadpoles nestled atop his back (“Dad is here”) is followed by an illustration of an owl leaving the nest (“Dad had to go away”). More contrasts are presented: a seahorse keeping his offspring safe in his pouch (“Dad holds on tight”), two shark pups swimming away from their frenzied-looking patriarch (“Dad need lots of space”). “Dad lets you down and makes mistakes” (a porcupine accidentally jabs his little one), but “Dad picks you up and makes you feel safe” (a lion snuggles his cub). And the human fathers we meet next—diverse in skin tone and ability—are equally multifaceted. Robinson outdoes himself, his bold and richly textured paint and collage artwork popping against the background. His artwork is rife with subtleties for careful readers—for instance, the look of uncertainty in the eyes of the gorilla father described as “strong.” For all its simplicity, this colorful book is laden with meaning, depicting fathers as vulnerable, imperfect, gentle, and empathetic—in a word, deeply human.
A powerful affirmation for all dads—the good, the flawed, and those doing the best they can. (more information on the animals presented) (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
ISBN: 9781250397041
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2026
A funny tale about stress and an ever upping ante, with a comforting end.
Something is preventing Owl from falling asleep.
Owl leans back against his white pillow and headboard. “Squeek!” says something underneath the bed. Owl’s never heard that sound before, so he fastens his pink bathrobe and answers the front door. Nobody. It must be the wind; back to bed. Bidding himself goodnight, he climbs into bed—and hears the noise again. Time after time, he pops out of bed seeking the squeaker. Is it in the cupboard? He empties the shelves. Under the floor? He pulls up his floorboards. As Owl’s actions ratchet up—he destroys the roof and smashes the walls, all in search of the squeak—so does his anxiety. Not until he hunkers down in bed under the night sky (his bed is now outdoors, because the house’s roof and walls are gone), frantically clutching his pillow, does he see what readers have seen all along: a small, gray mouse. In simple illustrations with black outlines, textured coloring, and foreshortened perspective, Pizzoli plays mischievously with mouse placement. Sometimes the mouse is behind Owl or just out of his sightline; other times, the mouse is on a solid, orange-colored page across the spread from Owl, which removes him from Owl’s scene in a rather postmodern manner. Is the mouse toying with Owl? Who knows?
A funny tale about stress and an ever upping ante, with a comforting end. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 19, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4847-1275-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2016
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