So Many Bunnies: A Bedtime ABC and Counting Book

Bunnies

by Rick Walton, Paige Miglio (Illustrator)

A sweet, rhyming, bunny-led introduction to ABCs and 123s! Little ones can count along with Mother Rabbit through her rambling house and garden as she tucks in a whole alphabet of baby bunnies, from Abel through Zed. This cozy bedtime book has the comforting familiarity of a lullaby combined with the basic concepts toddlers enjoy exploring. Rick Walton and Paige Miglio’s sweet tale has charmed readers throughout the years. This board book edition is perfect for small hands.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Counting, Rabbits, Fiction, Storytime

32 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Born and raised in Utah, Walton is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Church. He served as a missionary to Brazil from 1976 to 1978, soon after he graduated from high school. Later, at Brigham Young University, he became president of the Brazil Club. In 1980, he graduated from Brigham Young with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese, the language spoken in Brazil.

Walton's education continued after he obtained his degree. In 1980, he went back to Brigham Young for one semester of graduate work in business, but chose not to follow that career path. Deciding to become a teacher, he earned certification in elementary education from Brigham Young in 1987, as well as certification to teach gifted and talented students. Up to that point, he had held a number of jobs, including a year with the parks and recreation department of Provo, Utah. In 1987, he began teaching sixth grade at a local public school, then switched to a private school.

Also interested in computers, Walton would later publish several items of software. He left teaching to accept a position as software designer for IBM in 1989. In 1994, he turned to freelance software design and writing. He also returned to Brigham Young University once again, this time to earn his master's degree in English, with an emphasis on creative writing.

Walton's wife, Ann, with whom he has written many of his books, is a computer programmer. They were married in 1983, and have five children. With Dumb Clucks! and Something's Fishy! in 1987, the Waltons began writing books.

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went shopping at a bookstore while visiting Colorado for my new grandbaby Lovissa. My sisters and I met for books and dinner. I found this gem and bought it for my granddaughter Millie. We’ve read it a couple of times already. One reading another grandchild (Reese) called on zoom and finished the book with us. 💞

[Villain E · Rating 5 out of 5]

First a much more pleasant version of The Little Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe. Followed by 26 bunnies each with a name that begins with a different letter of the alphabet and a rhyme about where they sleep. After reading so many alphabet books which struggle to find words for every letter, I can appreciate the skill involved.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute! All these little bunnies are just so adorable. It takes the rhyme of The lady who lives in a shoe and had so many children she didn't know what to do, and changes it to a more friendly story. And that each bunny is named and it rhymes with where they sleep. Each bunny is different and the last picture in the book is what makes the story perfect.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I like me a good alphabet book. But this is a great one. Terrific art. Considerate and well meaning but just plain well done rhyming. And it still works as a bedtime book. Just plain sweet. And with 22 alphabet books, this is my first five star.

[littlemiao · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Miaolings enjoyed this adorable book full of cute bunnies napping (or not) in cute poses wearing cute bunny clothes. It is a snuggly book with the kind of detail-rich illustrations that make you feel like the bunnies invited you into their lovely bunny home to share their naptime.

[Lindsey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short ABC book is based upon the life of Old Mother Rabbit and her 26 children. The book follows Mother Rabbit putting all of her children to sleep. The book goes into detail as to where each rabbit sleeps and what their name is. The book goes in alphabetical order. It starts off with, "1 was named Abel. He slept on the table", "2 was named Blair. She slept in a chair". The book follows every letter of the alphabet until all of the bunnies are put to sleep. This book is great because it incorporates counting, the alphabet, and basic rhyme.

This was my favorite book growing up, and I still enjoy it as an adult. The illustrations are a big part of this book. There isn't much writing, so the illustrations are vital in understanding the story. When Mother Rabbit introduces each child and where he/she is sleeping, there is a drawing that represents it. The illustrations cover up the entirety of the page and are very detailed. The reason why I loved his book so much growing up was because of the amazing illustrations. This book is best for pre-school or kindergarten.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun alphabet book. And I just had to laugh at the last page. It is so true to life that no matter how much time you spend tucking children into their own beds, that they'd rather be with you.

Talking points: Trying writing an alphabet book that reflects something you're interested in. If you had to choose just one favorite boys name and one favorite girls name for each of the letters, which names would you choose? Tell about they way it felt when you cozyed up in your parent's bed? What are other fond memories that you have as a child with your parents? What are you doing as a parent to try to create fond memories with your child?

Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Serenity! doTERRA's Serenity essential oil blend is a perfect oil to diffuse whether you're reading this book about bunnies going to sleep, or whether you're trying to put your own bunny to bed. (It helps mom say calm with the process as well!!)

[Lauren Holmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a young child and I honestly still enjoy it as an adult. This short abc and counting book is based upon the life of Old Mother Rabbit and she has 26 children. This book goes into detail as to where each rabbit child sleeps and what their name is according to the alphabet. This book also uses stylistic choices such as rhyme to keep a steady flow while reading throughout the book. As she counted each child of numerically she would say their name and where they slept, for example "8 was named Hank. He slept with his bank." I feel that this book is a great addition within a personal home library as well as a classroom full of young beginning readers. This book is a great one to use within the classroom due to its inclusion of counting the bunnies, the inclusion of the alphabet and its pattern as well as introducing rhyme.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MANY BUNNIES features Mama Bunny and her 26 children. Each little bunny's name starts with a different letter of the alphabet, so that's where the ABCs come in. It counts each bunny as it's named and where it sleeps rhymes with the name. For example: "1 was names Abel. He slept on the table."

The illustrations are adorable and beautifully detailed. The rhyming scheme makes learning fun and it sticks with you better. I love how it counts all the way to 26 to include the whole alphabet. This also teaches how many letters are in the alphabet. The dual teaching is my favorite part. Tackle two things at once.


Final Verdict: This would be a good gift to give with Easter coming around the corner. It's perfect for those learning their ABCs and how to count.

[Tori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing: 3/5
Art: 4/5
Family friendly values: Loving, large bunny family

Overview: This is, as the title indicates, an ABC and counting book and is based on the rhyme "There Was an Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe." The illustrations are real art, not digital, and are cozy and engaging with lots of details for children to explore. My kids loved this book. The writing is good and the rhymes work well with only a couple of hiccups (such as trying to rhyme "Noel" with "bowl").

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes the nursery rhyme of the woman who lived in a shoe and greatly improves upon it, portraying a loving mother rabbit tucking in her 26 bunnies. Each bunny’s name begins with a different letter of the alphabet, and is counted in alphabetical order. Detailed illustrations add to the fun of this rhyming bedtime story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the bunnies and the illustrations were really good. It does go through the entire alphabet and even dies its best with alliteration throughout, good for younger kids but after first it looses its relevance which is why for me personally, it is a three star book

[Tweller83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/4/23: How fun - a take off on the old lady in the shoe and each bunny has a name that starts with the next letter in the alphabet and we are counting them at the same time. The illustrations are just so much fun. Super cute and sweet little book. Can't wait to share it with the grandchild.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/4/23: How fun - a take off on the old lady in the shoe and each bunny has a name that starts with the next letter in the alphabet and we are counting them at the same time. The illustrations are just so much fun. Super cute and sweet little book. Can't wait to share it with the grandchild.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun. Would read again.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated children's book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite of the children.

[Abbey Piatt Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread so great very good vibes

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhymes, ABCs, counting, and cute bunnies? This book was so much fun. We read it 9868 times. (I jest, a little.)

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read with my toddler, especially when I found my brother’s name used in it! It’s not very common and so it was fun to see it in a book from 1998.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Clever.

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great counting and alphabet book! It rhymed, it had a lot going on, and it was about bunnies. Children love hopping like bunnies!

[Drew Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother rabbit has twenty-six children and puts them all to sleep in satisfyingly alphabetical order and unsettlingly unusual places.

I've known this book for years but it'd been at least as many since I looked at it, and it was a really enjoyable lap read for the kids (2 and 4). It has a lot of great illustrations, imaginative names and rhymes, and it's a combination counting/alphabet/bedtime book, which seems like a home run.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little spin on the nursery rhyme about the old lady who lived in a shoe. This version is absolutely delightful, with twenty-six bunnies getting tucked into their unconventional beds, from Able on the table to Zed on the shed, their names go in alphabetical order. Elliot loves this library book and so do I!

* library book

[Morgan Kaluza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: So Many Bunnies: A Bedtime ABC and Counting Book

Author: Rick Walton

Illustrator: Paige Miglio

Genre: Counting book and picture book

Theme(s): counting, ABCs, rhyming

Opening line/sentence: "Old Mother Rabbit lived in a shoe. She had twenty-six children and knew what to do. She fed them some carrots, some broth, and some bread. Then kissed them all gently and put them to bed."

Brief Book Summary: This book is about a mother rabbit putting her children to bed. She has 26 children and each of their names start with a different letter of the alphabet. So the book teaches both counting and the ABCs.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Kirkus Reviews-”Old mother rabbit live in a shoe./ she had twenty-six children and knew what to do.” Following that introduction Mother Rabbit proceeds to put her children to bed in alphabetical order, beginning with “1 was named Abel/He slept on the table” to “26 was named Zed/He slept on the shed.” The children settle down in all manner of bedtime perches, from tree branches to tricycles to the kitchen sink—one conks out on the garden gate. True to their youthful nature, some of the children are doing anything except sleep, scribbling on wallpaper, riding a hobby horse, and engaging in a rousing pillow fight. Miglio’s detailed watercolor illustrations of the swarming brood give the story a homey Victorian setting while adding plenty of humor. Although the text is inventive and funny, it becomes predictable before the entire alphabet has been covered. A twist ending provides a final, compensating laugh: As the mother settles into her comfortable feather bed, all 26 bunnies abandon their makeshift arrangements and pile in with her. (Picture book. 2-4)”


Recommendation/Review #2: School Library Journal- “PreSOld Mother Rabbit lives in a shoe, but unlike her famous predecessor, she knows exactly what to do with her 26 offspring. After feeding them broth and carrots, she puts them all to bed in some rather strange places, leading readers through her house and garden as well as the alphabet: "1 was named Abel. He slept on the table. 2 was named Blair. She slept in a chair." The repetition of the exact same phrasing may get a little tiresome for adults reading aloud, but children will enjoy guessing where each rabbit sleeps. The napping places range from the fairly ordinary (chair, pillow) to the whimsical (trike, sink, trellis, bowl). The large, soft watercolor illustrations of cuddly bunnies, each with a distinct personality, will carry well in a group and are rich with clever details: carrot wallpaper, bunny dolls, and rabbit-shaped bedposts. The final two-page painting, in which all of the youngsters hop into bed with their mother, provides children with the opportunity to guess which bunny is which. Comforting and cozy, this attractive title is a good choice for pajama storytimes” .Dawn Amsberry, Oakland Public Library, CA



Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both the reviews speak very highly about the book. The books is both enjoyable and has a learning element to it. I like how the first review mentions how wonderful the illustrations are as well, they are so brilliant to look at.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is very appealing to children. The illustrations are great and really draw you in. This would definitely work better in a younger classroom such as a pre-k classroom or kindergarten.


Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book in my classroom to help work on the alphabet, counting, and for teaching rhyming. It is amazing how many parts of this book are beneficial for children.

[Chris Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: So many bunnies : a bedtime abc and counting book
Author: Rick Walton
Illustrator: Paige Miglio
Genre: Counting book
Theme(s): Counting, Bunnies, Rhyme
Opening line/sentence: “Old Mother Rabbit lived in a shoe. She had twenty six children and knew what to do. She fed them some carrots, some broth, and some bread. Then kissed them all gently and put them to bed.”
Brief Book Summary: Mother Rabbit puts the baby bunnies to bed one by one and rhymes each number and name with a place where the baby bunny sleeps. It also doubles as an alphabet book because each baby bunny’s name begins with a different letter of the alphabet.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
So Many Bunnies does double-duty. It gets kids hip-hopping into Easter as well as into National Poetry Month, celebrated each April. Rick Dalton's ingenious rhyming text weaves alphabet and counting lessons into a sweet tale of Old Mother Rabbit who lived in a shoe. Unlike her human counterpart, Mother Rabbit knows just what to do and where to tuck her twenty-six sleepy darlings, from "1 was named Abel./He slept on the table" to "26 was named Zed./He slept on the shed." Paige Miglio's soft-toned watercolors are a lovely complement to this lullaby. 1998, Lothrop Lee & Shepard, $16.00. Ages 2 to 5.
(PUBLISHER: Lothrop Lee & Shepard/Morrow (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1998.)

Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1998)
Old Mother Rabbit lived in a shoe./She had twenty-six children and knew what to do." Following that introduction Mother Rabbit proceeds to put her children to bed in alphabetical order, beginning with "1 was named Abel/He slept on the table" to "26 was named Zed/He slept on the shed." The children settle down in all manner of bedtime perches, from tree branches to tricycles to the kitchen sink--one conks out on the garden gate. True to their youthful nature, some of the children are doing anything except sleep, scribbling on wallpaper, riding a hobby horse, and engaging in a rousing pillow fight. Miglio's detailed watercolor illustrations of the swarming brood give the story a homey Victorian setting while adding plenty of humor. Although the text is inventive and funny, it becomes predictable before the entire alphabet has been covered. A twist ending provides a final, compensating laugh: As the mother settles into her comfortable feather bed, all 26 bunnies abandon their makeshift arrangements and pile in with her. 1998, Lothrop, $16.00; PLB $15.93. Starred Review. © 1998 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: Lothrop Lee & Shepard/Morrow (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1998.)

Response to Two Professional Reviews: I think these reviews do a great job of giving a picture of what is going on in the book yet still not giving away any important details. I loved in the Children’s Literature review that they mention the illustrations because that is probably my favorite part of the book with all the cozy details they provide.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The rhyme scheme keeps the students interested going from page to page. However, my favorite element is the relation of the counting and the alphabet all in one book. By growing each page with a number it also lets them set up the end of the book with all the bunnies included.

Consideration of Instructional Application: I would really like to rewrite this book with the children in the classroom to find ways for them to write things that rhyme with their names for their own page of a class book.

[Pam Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading this with kids. So sorry Rick passed away. He is so talented!

[Fjóla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression of this book was to rate it 3 stars (I'm not crazy about bunnies, in the first place), but my son really likes it, so I'm "upping" the rating. We've been reading it again and again. I have to say it attains what it sets out to do, which is to present all the letters of the alphabet and counting up to 26 in a fun, rhyming, rhythmic way. It's a story about a bunny living in a shoe with her 26 kids, each of whom has a name starting with a different letter of the alphabet. There's something funny on every page, as for each baby bunny you will want to see what they make its name rhyme with, i.e. the name rhymes with the spot where they sleep: "1 was named Abel. He slept on the table." And, some of the spots are really laughing-out-loud funny. Finally, there's a surprise ending the kids will enjoy. The whole page color pictures are cute.
Besides being a good bedtime story, this can be a great early reader book as well. The repetition will give speed to the child's reading and boost confidence, the bunny names are short and phonetically fairly easy to spell out and the rhyme then gives a useful clue for the unknown word in the following line. The humor in discovering all the crazy sleeping positions motivates the child to read on. My little one got a great kick out of this book, and I'll concede that it's very clever!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the old woman that lived in a shoe, and didn't have issues knowing just what to do. She knows just how to feed the children and put them to bed soundly! Ha, ha.

Adorable illustrations and a book that covers it all: bedtime, letters and numbers!

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Ages: 3 - 7

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old mother rabbit lived in a shoe. She had 26 children and knew what to do. She fed them some carrots, some broth, and some bread. Then kissed them all gently and put them to bed. 1 was named Abel, he slept on the table. 2 was named Blair, she slept in a chair. 3 was named carol, she slept in a barrel. 4 was named Dee, she slept in a tree.....- This was my favorite book when I was little. It begins on the inner title page with a picture of the outside of the house. Then the story takes you through different rooms in the house as mother rabbit tucks her children in to bed(in some very odd places), even outside(hence Dee and the tree). All while pairing up numbers with the letters of the alphabet and rymeing the place where the little bunny sleeps with its name. Plus, the lush water color paintings make it even more magical to a young child.