Thunder Bunny

by Barbara Helen Berger

Book Overview

Thunder Bunny was a surprise. She was the last and littlest one. But there was something about her . . . just something.Thunder Bunnyis a poetic and stunningly simple story of one most unusual bunny who comes out of the blue?and discovers who she is.In exquisite collage, Barbara Helen Berger brings life to this remarkable and original story that celebrates the spirit and courage of even the smallest. Like Berger?s classic Grandfather Twilight,a story...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399220356
• ISBN13: 9780399220357
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.1" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 1 year and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Brava ,Thunder Bunny!

Babara Helen Berger, author of the beloved GRANDFATHER TWILIGHT, A LOT OF OTTERS,ALL THE WAY TO LHASA and five other picture books, has done it again. This simply told story of a small blue bunny is a celebration of adventure, courage and discovery. After her journey into the dark storm clouds, Thunder Bunny recognizes that she is part of the blue "that is always there, no matter what." And, it is, oh, so satisfying that this change in her is lovingly appreciated by her entire family. Using a technique of cut and torn paper refined with acrylic, the illustrations of this amazing bunny and her vividly colored world surrounds the reader with warmth, beauty and a sense of wonder. Lovely!

a beautiful story for children and grown-ups

Like all of Ms Berger's books, the illustrations are exquisite, gentle and enthralling to children and adults of any age. This lovely book is about an awareness that each of us experience being different, and yet prevailing, in a sometimes harsh world, through trial and persistence to an understanding that we are fine because we can identify with the unseen and unspoken sacredness in all life. Thunder Bunny knew she came from the sky - even if her siblings did not - "I am the blue, and the blue is me!" Her inner strength guided her with courage and purpose. When Thunder Bunny's Mama looks at her, completely without judgment, and says "Oh My" - she recognizes something precious here, as we do with all our children. My 3 ½ year old grandson and I read this book over and over during a recent visit... he loved it as much as I did!

My granddaughter loved it!

Thunder Bunny is a big hit with my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is sweet and imaginative. We had fun imitating the rumbling of the thunder together!

"Oh my."

In the first place, the age suggested for this book is wrong. It should be 2-15 years, being a perfect read-aloud for very small children - "I am a rumble bunny ... a Thun-Thun -THUNDER Bunny!" - and the kind of book that older children take out and look at reminiscently in secret for its lovely inspiration. Berger's brief stories and pictures follow the direct line of children's associations, which makes them seem skewed to adult minds complicated by much data. If the smallest bunny in a toast-colored litter "came out of the blue" and is blue, it is a logical progression for her to be The Blue, as little Thunder Bunny discovers, to her glowing delight. The illustrations are a departure for Berger, being mainly torn paper collage, with a little paint as appropriate here and there, instead of the watercolors and acrylics of her earlier books. The effect is as fresh and original as the story itself, entirely charming.

Peek-a-blue courage, imagination and well being.

Barbara Helen Berger creates a magical world where a blue bunny, the same color as the sky into which she flies, leaves the security and safety of that which she knows, rides the wind into and through dark clouds, reaches the glorious blue sky and then returns to the love and warmth of her family. Ms. Berger's words and lovely images paint a picture of what it means to live an active, hopeful, courageous life, willing to ride on the wind to and through darkness to a place where one's life, one's very being, glows.