Bunny in the Middle

by Anika A. Denise, Christopher Denise (Illustrator)

Overview

This joyful picture book celebrates middle children and sibling love.

When you’re in the middle . . . you’re not the oldest, and you’re not the youngest. You are right in between. There’s someone bigger who helps you and someone smaller who needs you. From the middle, you can see both sides.

But being in the middle isn’t always easy—sometimes it’s hard to know what makes you special, or how to follow a path that’s just your own. Bunny in the Middle, this classic picture book from Anika A. Denise highlights the remarkable empathy of middles and the joys of self-acceptance, glowingly illustrated by New York Times-bestselling artist Christopher Denise.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250120366
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	07/02/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	364,874
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Anika Denise is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including Monster Trucks, Starring Carmen!, as well as Baking Day at Grandma’s and Bella and Stella Come Home, both of which are illustrated by her husband Christopher Denise. Anika lives in Rhode Island with her family.

Christopher Denise is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed books for young readers including Alison McGhee's Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells's Following Grandfather, and Betsy Devany's Lucy Lovey, as well as several in Brian Jacques's award-winning Redwall series. His books have appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents' Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition, among others. He lives in Rhode Island with his family.

Editorial Reviews

Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year

"This sweet picture book acknowledges the special place each sibling occupies in a family. . . Kids will savor adorable details, such as children's artwork on a bedroom wall and winsome animal students lined up for school in a tree. Charming and comforting."—Kirkus Reviews

"[An] ode to the middle kid. The illustrations are lush . . . with inviting joy, and the subtle shading and gentle linework of the pencil and digital art envelop the scenes with a cozy feel. A nice gift for a youngster expecting a new addition to the family."—The Bulletin

"The author deftly describes precise situations that require compromise. . . Denise employs Photoshop, Procreate and pencil for scenes brimming with affection. This creative team parents three girls and here shares insights honoring the child who’s sometimes overlooked."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

07/01/2019

PreS-Gr 1—The dandy duo who gave us Pigs Love Potatoes and Baking Day at Grandma's adds a jewel to their literary crown in this chronicle of the challenges and (mostly) positives of being a middle child. Anthropomorphic bunnies on double-page spreads share a lot and fuss a little. Our narrator is the sole girl; she gets homework help from big brother then pushes a tree swing for the littlest sibling. The author deftly describes precise situations that require compromise—the strength of many "middles," and concludes with a reminder that "…the best part of middle is you are loved all around." Denise employs Photoshop, Procreate and pencil for scenes brimming with affection. He ably draws rolled eyes over hand-me-downs, cautious side-glances assuring a sibling's safety, and tranquility with being alone in a meadow. VERDICT This creative team parents three girls and here shares insights honoring the child who's sometimes overlooked.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

School Library Journal

2019-04-28
Birth order matters—or does it?

Ostensibly written to reassure middle children, this sweet picture book acknowledges the special place each sibling occupies in a family. Middle kids are lucky to have someone bigger to help them—and someone smaller who needs them. They know how to assert themselves when their opinions are important; how to relent when a battle isn't worth it; and how to negotiate conflicts to make all siblings equally happy. Sometimes middles lead; sometimes they follow; and sometimes they forge their own paths. When you're in the middle, "you're not too small for the big stuff" (going to school) "and not too big for the small stuff" (playing with a dollhouse). Life's not always rosy, though; think hand-me-downs and shared bedrooms. But here's the thing: "The best part of middle is… / you are loved all around." What's better than that? The child-appealing, expressive illustrations, rendered in pencil and computer enhanced, are delightful, depicting three plump, brown, floppy-eared, large-eyed bunnies cozily engaged in familiar activities (baking, playing, hiking, reading, snuggling). Kids will savor adorable details, such as children's artwork on a bedroom wall and winsome animal students lined up for school in a tree. The second-person address avoids explicitly gendering the characters, and their activities are nicely varied. When portrayed on scooters, the bunnies wear helmets.

Charming and comforting. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews