From the Publisher
Henkes continues to give children reasons to want to read, long after the satisfaction of learning how to has passed.” — Horn Book (starred review)
“A doll of a beginning reader.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“The dynamics are spot-on.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“As supremely satisfying as a Henkes picture book, this beginning reader belongs in collections everywhere.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for Little White Rabbit: “Kevin Henkes has a rare ability to see through the eyes of children of all ages.” — Horn Book (starred review)
“Enormously appealing.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Horn Book (starred review)
Henkes continues to give children reasons to want to read, long after the satisfaction of learning how to has passed.
Horn Book
"Henkes continues to give children reasons to want to read, long after the satisfaction of learning how to has passed."
Kirkus Reviews
Following Penny and Her Song (2012), Henkes delivers an even stronger slice of anthropomorphic mouse life for beginning readers. The story opens with Penny chatting amicably with her mother in the garden. Penny smells the roses while Mama weeds, and then the mailman delivers a package from Gram. Inside is a doll for Penny, with a note reading, "I saw this doll when I was shopping. I thought you would love her. I hope you will." And, she does. The fly in the ointment is Penny's struggle to name the doll. Her parents make suggestions, but none seem right, and they reassure her, "Try not to think too hard…Then maybe a name will come to you." Sure enough, after taking her doll on a tour of the house and then into the garden, the perfect name arises: "[T]his is Rose!" she announces. Henkes always excels at choosing just-right names for his characters (see Chester, Wilson, Lilly, Sheila Rae and, of course, Chrysanthemum and her "absolutely perfect" moniker), so this story seems particularly at home in his oeuvre. The familiarity of Henkes' mouse world, as well as expertly paced and controlled storytelling for new readers, mark this as a new classic, earning Penny a firm place alongside the not-so-creatively-named Frog, Toad, Little Bear and that celebrated Cat in the Hat. A doll of a beginning reader. (Early reader. 5-7)
