The Little Rabbit

by Nicola Killen, Nicola Killen (Illustrator)

Overview

From beloved author/illustrator Nicola Killen comes an enchanting spring story about a magical friendship between a little girl and her stuffed rabbit who comes to life, lovingly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages.

Ollie and her favorite friend bunny have been waiting for the rain to stop and spring to come, and at long last the sun arrives. Ollie puts on her rain boots, wraps bunny in a warm scarf, and the two set off for exploring. Then a sudden breeze whispers past and bunny’s nose twitches and their magical adventure begins...

The Little Rabbit is sure to enchant and charm young readers and is great for sharing with a friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534438286
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	02/05/2019
Series:	My Little Animal Friend
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	127,704
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals: rhinos and penguins. She designed cards before starting an MA in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books, including The Little Kitten, The Little Bear, The Little Rabbit, and The Little Reindeer, which was called “an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm” in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and “magical” by Publishers Weekly. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England.

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals: rhinos and penguins. She designed cards before starting an MA in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books, including The Little Kitten, The Little Bear, The Little Rabbit, and The Little Reindeer, which was called “an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm” in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and “magical” by Publishers Weekly. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England.

Editorial Reviews

02/20/4

In a follow-up to The Little Reindeer, a child called Ollie—dressed in a bunny costume—and her toy rabbit, Bunny, are eager to splash in rain puddles. When a petal tickles Bunny’s nose, he comes to life, leaping from the basket to join a group of wild rabbits. Ollie gives chase—over a pond, into a treehouse, onto a cloud, and (“Whooooosh!”) all the way back home. Killen uses a grayscale palette with springtime yellow and green accents. Periodic die-cuts provide a greater sense of dimension, while occasional comics-style panels offer an episodic quality to the story. Raindrops, splashing water, and blowing petals are rendered in embossed flecks of gold foil, providing light enchantment to this quiet story of a rainy day adventure. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

In author and illustrator Nicola Killen’s The Little Rabbit, Ollie can’t wait for the rain to stop, so he can go play in the puddles. Before the wind has settled, Ollie races out the door with his umbrella and favorite stuffed animal, Bunny, in tow.

As soon as they’re outside, a golden petal settles onto Bunny’s nose and something astonishing happens. With a twitch of his nose, Bunny springs to life, hops out of the basket and darts off with a pack of wild rabbits.

Ollie calls and calls, but can’t find Bunny anywhere. Just as the sky darkens and the rain returns, Ollie spots him. He’s stranded in a puddle of quickly rising water. With the aid of an inspired gust of wind, Ollie hops aboard his upturned umbrella and sails through the puddle to rescue Bunny.

Next, Bunny leads Ollie up to the treehouse. But when Bunny climbs higher up the tree and jumps towards the clouds above, what will Ollie do?

With each turn of the page, The Little Rabbit grows increasingly fantastical, reminding readers of the wonder-filled realm between reality and make believe that young children inhabit with such glee. With its beautifully stark watercolors and the occasional gold-embossed magic petal, The Little Rabbit is as visually charming as is its text.

March 11, 2019 - Web Exclusive BookPage

2018-12-05

A cozy home-away-home adventure with Ollie and her bunny.

A little girl named Ollie who is dressed in a gray rabbit costume is eager to play outside in the puddles with her stuffed toy, Bunny, after the rain stops. As soon as they venture out-of-doors, golden petals, depicted in glinting foil detail on the jacket and in many illustrations, blow by on the breeze. Although text is not clear on this point, the petals seem to have magical powers that transform the toy rabbit into a real animal. Bunny scampers off after other rabbits, and Ollie follows. Their ensuing adventures have Ollie rescuing and comforting Bunny as they brave the elements and seek refuge in a treehouse. The plot, which culminates in a return home and Bunny's return to toy status, is rather thin, but the grayscale illustrations with green and yellow highlights are utterly charming throughout the book. Die cuts at beginning and closing stages of the book indicate movement between realistic and fantastical realms, but their presence isn't integral to the storytelling, and they come across as superfluous, even indulgent, given how likely it is that little fingers exploring them might tear the pages.

Lovely to look at but little story to follow. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews

02/01/2019

PreS-K—Originally published in Great Britain as Ollie's Magic Bunny, this title highlights the onset of spring. As the changing weather precipitates a magical transformation and her beloved toy bunny dashes away, Ollie follows in her bunny suit, her yellow boots, and yellow umbrella. The muted and neutral colors highlight the simplicity of the book's illustrations and draw the reader's eye to soft greens of new spring growth; the bright yellow of Ollie's scarf, boots, and umbrella; and the gold of new blossom petals. Cut-outs and divisions within some pages allow readers to watch as the weather changes and infer possibilities within the story. Simply drawn with varying perspectives and minimal lines, this little fantasy flows dreamlike through Ollie's efforts to keep up with her fast-moving bunny—across water, up trees, or riding on clouds, ever pushed along by the spring wind. VERDICT A suggested general purchase for young readers, this tale speaks to the joy of imagination and enduring care for loved ones.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

School Library Journal