DOORKNOB THE RABBIT AND THE CARNIVAL OF BUGS

Readers will realize that all’s askew when a blue rabbit named Doorknob wins a duck contest and goes home to a flower named Sibbly, who’s prepared him some dandelion tea. His cozy post-contest slumber is soon interrupted by 6,000 bugs at the door, demanding to hold a carnival in his rumpus room. The six-legged intruders break all his houseguest rules and force him to 1) call Paul’s Pest Pounders; 2) play his flute to lure the bugs out; 3) order hungry cats from catsinaminute.com (to eat the mice attracted by the flute); and finally, 4) power-hose the whole shebang. In the end, the rabbit implores readers, “If you really want to help me you will slam this book shut RIGHT NOW!” This threat works, and the bugs split. When Doorknob hears another knock on the door, he’s “no dumb bunny” this time around. While this nonsensical book does offer up a lesson of sorts in problem solving, and the acrylic gouache illustrations are cute and comical, the overall effect is more dizzying than charming. (Picture book. 6-8)