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Apr 18, 2011

Antoine rated it:

This seems like sort of an old-fashioned book at first glance, definitely from before the mid-century explosion of children's picture books. But reading it again as an adult, I see how revolutionary it really is. The Country Bunny is told she can never be an Easter Bunny for a variety of reasons: [a] she is brown [b] she is rustic [c] she is a girl bunny [d] she is a mother. Although we are talking about bunnies here, undercurrents of race, class, and gender run through this book like freight More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 21, 2009

Chandra rated it:

I'm a little early for Easter, but I couldn't resist when I saw that it was illustrated by the amazing Marjorie Flack (The Story of Ping).

In this story Cottontail is a plain brown country bunny who put aside her childhood dreams of becoming one of the five exalted Easter Bunnies to raise her own family. What follows is a strikingly feminist tale when you consider that it was written in 1939. Cottontail is marginalized by the other bunnies because her gender and even the color of More...

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Mar 04, 2011

Nikki rated it:

I read this children's book many years ago, and although the plot confused me as a child I liked the book--you can't go wrong with bunnies!

Then, as an adult, I read it again.

The story FLOORED me.

As a mom of three very young, very active children (one of them special needs) I was slowly but surely disappearing. My "me" was lost, and I sorely missed it. Although I loved my kiddos and being a mother...had I missed my chance to be something? (Here we co More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 05, 2009

Karla rated it:

Without a doubt this is one of my favorite books to read to children. DuBose Heyward is famous for many books but this is the only children's book he ever wrote. He made up the story at the request of his daughter and eventually had it published. The tale is set at Easter and the grandfather bunny is too tired and old to continue so a competition is held to select the new Easter Bunny. The Country Bunny has 21 little bunny children whom she has taught various household skills such as washing More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 13, 2009

Dana rated it:

This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I already started a tradition of reading this at Easter with my kids. (yeah yeah, I know, Easter isn't about bunnies)

It's the story of a little country bunny who wants to grow up to be an Easter Bunny. All the other bunnies laugh at her dream. She grows up to be the mother of 21 babies and is laughed at even more. Long story short, her mothering skills show that not only is she wise, kind, swift, clever and brave....exactly what More...

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May 21, 2011

babyhippoface rated it:

I first heard of this old book (1939) through Anita Silvey's Book A Day Almanac online. She gave it high praise, so the next time I was in the public library I checked it out.

The little girl country bunny dreams of growing up to be one of the Five Easter Bunnies who deliver eggs all over the world. The rich, finely dressed rabbits and the fast jack rabbits laugh at her dream.

When she grows up, she has 21 baby bunnies and they become the focus of her life. Soon, though, they More...

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Mar 31, 2009

Stephani rated it:

Just bought this book for my daughter. This was one of my favorite books to read as a child. The story and the pictures are priceless and invite the imagination to wander. I highly recommend buying this as a bedtime story for your kids, they will love it. I recently read it in my daughter's class (they have a parent come in a read the child's favorite book for their birthday in lieu of treats or cupcakes) and my daughter was VERY worried that the boys wouldn't think it was cool. The boys ac More...

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Apr 10, 2009

Lisa rated it:

I just re-read this classic, which was first copyrighted in 1939. Wow, how things have changed!

In today's market, this would've been considered too long and unfocused. Plus, I found that it had elements of sexism, subtle racism, and abuses of the child labor laws. Ha!

In the end, the problem was solved by the hand-of-God rather than the main character solving it for herself. If I had received this for critique, the poor author would've been chastised beyond belief.

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Apr 19, 2011

Kirei rated it:

I had heard wonderful things about this book, but it didn't do much for me. I expected more. It does have sweet illustrations.

It is about the selection of one of the five Easter bunnies, so there is definitely and Easter theme going on.

Editted: I read the other reviews and I guess there is a feminist theme. It is not something I really caught as I was reading it as a bedtime story and sort of falling asleep at the same time. I am sort of jealous that she has her k More...

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Apr 29, 2011

The Reading Countess rated it:

The tale of a beleagured mama rabbit with 21 little bunnies to care for takes on a new adventure: Easter Bunny. After assigning her babies household chores, she hops off to be the fifth Easter Bunny. She thought caring for all of her furry ones was hard, but delivering baskets worldwide is a real challenge. When the Easter Grandfather assigns her with the hardest task of all, she is able to fulfill it and save the hopes of a sick child far, far away with the help of her special shoes.

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May 30, 2009

Logan rated it:

Logan just loves this story and how can I not love a 1930's book that pits a little brown mama bunny against a bunch of arrogant male rabbits and ends with the mama bunny besting them all!? Way ahead of its time. It was not uncommon then to read of young, single women or girls doing tomboyish things, like Nancy Drew. But I don't recall anything where a busy mother manages to still get and hold down a demanding job. Very sweet pictures and an unusual take on the Easter Bunny myth. I never mind re More...

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May 29, 2008

Amanda rated it:

This is a very strange story about a determined little country bunny who manages to run a perfect household (mainly by using her excellent delegating skills), raise her 21 children to be well-behaved and accomplished, all while enjoying a great career as an Easter Bunny, delivering eggs to the boys and girls of the world.
We all wonder if it is truly possible to balance motherhood and career, and give equal weight to each. This bunny has done it and done it to perfection. And maybe when More...

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Mar 11, 2009

Anina rated it:

One of my favorite children's classics, an easter book. I am really drawn to the illustrations for some reason. The story is not remarkable but I have loved it since I was a kid, probably due to NOT being a kid who celebrated easter! While reading reviews on here, I notice some people say it adresses issues of race and class, which I have never thought about, but now that I am re reading it with that in mind, I certainly see what they are talking about.

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Jul 05, 2011

Roxann rated it:

I read this book many years ago and put it back on the shelves. Cleaning this summer I found it again and re-read it. I had forgotten how much I loved this book. It's a nice little book to read to children about bunnies, Easter, and delivering Easter baskets. Reading a little deeper it's a wonderful story of a mother bunny trying to be the Easter bunny-when most of the males thinks she can't do it, but she does. Nice story.

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Mar 11, 2010

Skylar rated it:

A great secular Easter book. It introduces kids to the tradition of the Easter bunny (in slight variation from the most common tradition) along with emphasizing the value of kindness and wisdom. Well written as well, with cute pictures. Absolutely no religious elements whatsoever, but I enjoy passing on both the secular and religious traditions of Christian holidays to my children, so I don't mind that.

1 comment like

Apr 05, 2009

Laura rated it:

I read this book with my mom when I was little for Easter, maybe that is why I like it so much. It is about a mom bunny that wants to deliver easter eggs on Easter but decides to have a family and raise baby bunnies instead. Years later she decides that her bunnies are ready to care for the house herself and goes to fulfill her dream and deliver Easter eggs. So cute! A great read for Easter!

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Apr 12, 2009

Robin rated it:

Re-reading this Easter classic to my daughter, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it beyond the substantial nostalgia value. Charming illustrations, interesting characters, an exciting adventure up the mountain, and a little bit of magic. As a sidenote, it is very affirming of the value of stay at home moms and their ability to translate their skills to the workplace.

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Apr 18, 2011

Dolly rated it:

We picked this out for an Easter read. It's an old story, but one that I do not remember from my childhood, so I enjoyed discovering it for the first time, too. It's a tribute to Moms, especially those with a lot of children. I liked the message that anyone can aspire to greatness, despite humble beginnings or divergent paths.

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Dec 28, 2010

Danielle rated it:

Why would a Jewish kid be completely captivated with an Easter story - I don't know, but I just loved this charming story about a young mother bunny who passes the test to become an Easter bunny by delivering a special pair of shoes to a sick child (I'm tearing up, writing this!!) Delightful story with beautiful pictures. A classic.

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Nov 23, 2009

Sarah rated it:

I came across this book at the library the other day. I immediately recognized the cover and a rush of memories filled my head. I couldn't remember the story, but I flipped open the pages and the pictures were so familiar. Cute bunnies and now I know why my mom read it to me...all the little bunnies have specific household tasks to do.

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Mar 10, 2009

Rachel rated it:

I know I don't have any other children's lit books on my list, but I had to add this one for Easter. (I have hundreds of children's books in my shelves at home. What can I say, I'm a little obsessed.) Written in 1939, this is an early feminist tale of self-reliance and love. I love this book and have since I could barely walk.

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Dec 07, 2011

Needleroozer rated it:

This is an Easter book, about the Easter bunny.

My sister had this book when we were kids.

That bunny sure had a lot of babies. Good thing she put them to work cleaning the house.

I like the message of Mom getting to have a life and career other than just taking care of the home and kids.

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Aug 04, 2011

Mikel rated it:

This was the first book I read to my brother, Brian, when I was 4 years old. My mother thought I had memorized the book, but discovered I could read the words by pointing to them and asking me to read individual words. It's still a favorite to read to my kids, especially around Easter.

1 comment like

Jan 10, 2012

Ashley rated it:

One of my favorites. I love this book. Never too old to keep on dreaming. Beautiful story about the importance of hard work and discipline, and in being ready when opportunities arise. Also, life doesn't always end up exactly how you planned...it may just turn out better.

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Sep 11, 2008

Brenda rated it:

As an undergrad, I worked at a great little independent bookstore. This will date me, but it was before the days of Amazon and lots of people special ordered titles. A customer stopped in one day, gave me her name, and said she had a book on hold. I went to the shelf, found her name, and pulled this book off the hold shelf. I felt a big emotional WHOMPF when I saw the cover, because I recognized it from childhood, but had forgotten it existed.

I had a hard time turning it over to the More...

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Apr 24, 2011

Polly rated it:

One of those childhood books about which I have no perspective, because the memory of my family reading it together every Easter Eve is too dear. Although I do remember that my sisters and I were revolted by the little sleeping blond boy--he's a kid, not a cherub!

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

May 08, 2011

Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) rated it:

It is interesting to read this book just from the perspective of watching how picture books have evolved over time. This 1938 classic tale of a female country bunny who wants to be one of the 5 Easter Bunnies is actually a bit ahead of it's time when you read through the whole story.

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Apr 22, 2010

Dianna rated it:

This is quite long for a picture book, but my three-year-old sat attentively through it all. I also liked the story about a little country bunny who wants to be an Easter bunny, but becomes a mother instead. The pictures are perfect!

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Mar 16, 2010

Pam rated it:

This is one of my favorite books. My mom would only read it to us around Easter, but in that month and a half or so, she would read it every night if I asked.

The story is amazing, and the illustrations couldn't be sweeter.

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Oct 09, 2009

Lynda rated it:

Another book I picked out from a "book order"....weird that every book I remember purchasing that way has become a favorite. I really hope that book orderes still exist, because they clearly foster a love of reading!

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