Really Rabbits

by Virginia L. Kroll

Book Overview

Young readers will delight in this silly story about two rabbits, Tulip and Snuggle, who learn how to open their cage and then begin doing household chores so their owners can spend more time with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157091897X
• ISBN13: 9781570918971
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Helpful funny bunnies

Tulip and Snuggle have a secret. Ordinary bunnies by day, they open their cage door at night and romp through the house while their human family sleeps. At first they simply explore, but soon they're ready for more advanced adventures. In a fun echo of the fairy tale about the shoemaker and the elves, these industrious bunnies begin doing their children's chores. Charming watercolor illustrations add visual jokes complementing the humorous text. A smug Tulip skates across a table with dustcloths on her feet; an apron-clad Snuggle stirs up a snazzy tuna casserole. (No kidding!) A note to parents on the inside back cover points out consonant combinations in the words used on each page and offers tips for helping a young child enjoy learning to read them. Really Rabbits is really rare: a picture book that is equally successful as both a read-aloud and a read-alone story. Many beginning reader books are repetitive and fairly boring to read out loud, but Really Rabbits has plenty of action and humor to keep a reader--and a listener--giggling and turning pages from beginning to end.

Charming, funny, and endearing

I read to my son every night since he was a baby. Even now, at aged eight, he still enjoys our quiet time. We take turns reading, and often change words around. Really Rabbits by Virginia Kroll is a charming tale of two rabbits and their nightly antics. The illustrations are quaint, and I found myself hoping there was a series of book of the two rabbits and all their hijinx. My son requested I read this several times, so the story is well worth the read.

What Bunnies Do at Night

I suppose it's just a subversive thing I have, but I like kids' books to have a little mischief in them. The interesting thing in "Really Rabbits" is that the titular bunnies, "Tulip" and "Snuggles" are mischievous but not at all subversive. When newcomer Snuggles comes to live in Tulip's cage, Tulip seems inspired to have adventures with her bunny buddy. It's no surprise either, because their barren wire cage is pretty sad looking; I'm not sure why the very talented Philomena O'Neill didn't place a few more toys and bedding inside. When Tulip discovers how to open the cage, she and Snuggles delight in their freedom: Racing, dashing, flipping, scurrying, and, of course, eating. Eventually, they've hopped through every room in the house, THis all seems natural enough, but then, something very curious happens. Just because "they wanted to try something new," the rabbits turn into veritable bunny scouts. Their night time escapades take an altruistic turn as they secretly fold the laundry, wash dishes, sweep the floor, and generally clean the house, always with smiling faces. The mother thanks for the children; the children thank the "elves" or fairies" or "whoever you are" who have been really doing all the work. In one of two inspired scenes, Tulip and Snuggle observe how people always "think that magic is done by tiny people." "They'll never believe it's really rabbits!" agreed Snuggle. ALthough they seem to enjoy doing their chores, their are some extrinsic rewards for the two virtuous bunnies. The family who kept them seemed "happier than ever," smiling more and not argueing as much. The two children, relieved of some their household duties, have more time to play with Tulip and Snuggle. And in the concluding scene, the intrepid bunnies take a little time for themselves--looking up carrot cake recipes on the net! This is a very innocent, sweet book, most credible for kids who like to help around the house. It has that sneaky aspect that kids, generally under the dominion of adult figures, love to read about. Yet, the secret night rabbits are up to something good, something that benefits their human family, and ultimately, themselves. Philomena O'Neill illustrates with soft pastel colors (sort of like the Beatrix Potter books), yet her palette includes orange and yellow and lavendar. Some pictures are vignetted; others take up an entire page or a two-page spread. Like author Virginia Kroll, O'Neill knows the importance of small details; for example, the rabbits' facial expressions as they just escape detection in the morning. While there's only a veneer of mischief here, a toddler audience will still enjoy the positive shenanigans. Somewhat older children, however, may wish for more bunny-centered fun. Printed on high quality paper, with a one-page phonetics lesson (on blends and digraphs) for adults using the book as a reading tool.