Hopper Hunts for Spring

Hoppel

by Marcus Pfister

While looking for spring, Hopper the little hare, meets some new animal friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Rabbits

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

About the author

Marcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.

Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.

For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.

Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute book about a bunny looking for 'spring' because according to his mum, its 'coming', and he wants to go out and meet it. Instead he meets a mole and a bear, with whom he makes friends, even though at the end he is disappointed that he doesn't 'meet' spring. Images are watercolours, and language not for beginners, but the storyline is fine for them.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about a bunny who is looking for Spring, meeting lots of new friends on his search. I liked the fuzzy detail of the pictures but it might not be ideal for toddlers. The story line is cute though so maybe it will encourage some imagination.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but Sweet.

Short story about Hopper, a white rabbit, in its search for Spring.

The text is easily understandable and the watercolor illustrations are adorable.

For kids ages 3+.

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of a cute little story about a little hare who decides to go out and find Spring when his mother tells him Spring is coming. He doesn't find Spring but he does manage to make himself a new friend. A nice little book to read to your very young one before bed.

[Olivia S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like this at all. Too much text, trying too hard to be cute, it just got on my nerves.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of a bunny trying to find and play with Spring.

[Virginia Mackmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute spring book

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable day of Hopper meeting fellow critters as he goes on a journey seeking Spring, and befriending a bear along the way.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely adorable book to read to my children! I have 'tagged' it as both Spring and Winter. The reason because little rabbit Hopper comes out of his den and his Mother says that snow is melting and Spring is on it's way. Hopper races off to 'greet' Spring. He wonders where Spring lives...he looks in a tunnel and meets Mole. Mole didn't know either so told him to look in the cave. He looks like the cave and wakes Bear. Bear didn't know either so they head out to look together. Bear climbs a tree and finds honey not Spring. Of which he shares with Hopper. Hopper is tired after his search so the bear carries him home. Hopper is a little disappointed he didn't find Spring. His momma tells him that it was okay because Spring would arrive very soon, AND his search wasn't wasted after all...he did find two new friends.

[Jourdan Aanenson]

Hopper takes him mothers words seriously when she says spring is coming, Hopper excitedly goes to meet his new playmate.

The soft edged illustrations with dominant shades of blue and purple suit the charming and childlike end of winder story. The illustrations of this book are done with water colors. They show very apstractly that spring will soon be right around the corner. Each page has a full page with a picture and the other one has a small picture with a white background that has the words on it. This simply is looked at as the border for the paragraph. The title page for this story has a picture of the bunny and the bear, the two new friends. It gives the children something to wonder why they are there and what will happen next.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Hopper hears from his mama that Spring is coming, he goes in search of him to make a new friend (not knowing that Spring isn't another animal friend).

This would be a great read aloud for PreK or kindergarteners. First, brainstorm what students believe Spring is before reading the book. Then, read the story, possibly with the help of a small furry white rabbit puppet. Afterwards, discuss what Spring really is.

[Hannah Morrison]

I still have the copy of this book I bought at my 1st grade book fair. The bunny is searching for what he thinks is a person, and the author takes you on a fabulous journey to find it. This book can be used to introduce a Spring unit in science or language arts and teaches students about the unsuspecting friendships we may have. Wonderful book!

[Allison]

In this picture-book, a little hare named Hopper hears from his mother that Spring is coming. He runs out into the world ready to make a new friend in Spring. Along the way, he does make new friends with other creatures and also learns that Spring is not a person but a season. I would use this book in the classroom with younger children and a study of seasons and to read right now.

[Karina Espinales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great 1st grade book. It is a good book to use to introduce what animals go through hibernation in the winter. It is also a great way to talk about what season comes after winter which is spring. It has a very cute story line because the rabbit is looking for spring. It is fiction.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Hopper takes his mothers words seriously and goes searching for spring. He wants a new friend to play with and things that spring will be perfect. He has a fun adventure and does end up meeting a new friend.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopper is a bunny who goes looking for Spring. He believes spring is someone to meet. In his search he finds a friend.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet albeit a bit precious tale of a curious bunny. The bear is my favorite character. The illustrations are nice. The kids I read it to at New Seasons liked the pictures a lot.

[Sarah Goodner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of books has some of the most beautiful watercolor illustrations ever!

[Milo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a sweet little story.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Wheeler's kinder class loved this story plus they enjoyed Potato the valentine gorilla I brought into today for reading time. Very cute story!!!!!!!!!!

[Haley Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to students during springtime. It was on a kindergarten bookshelf. As I read, I used different voices to keep the students engaged.