Happy Birthday, Bunny!

by Liz Garton Scanlon, Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)

A fun and cozy celebration of birthdays from the author of the Caldecott Honor book All the World.

What are these and what are those?
Fancy shoes and party clothes!

Bunny’s big day has arrived, and her family and their forest friends are ready to celebrate in style. There’s hugging and kissing, singing and dancing, and, of course, cake and presents! In this sweet picture book that’s just perfect for reading aloud, Liz Garton Scanlon commemorates that most cherished of childhood events—a little one’s birthday.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Rabbits, Childrens, Animals, Family, Holiday

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including the highly-acclaimed, Caldecott-honored picture book All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, two novels for middle grade readers, and an upcoming chapter book series. Her many other picture books include the ones she's co-authored with Audrey Vernick, like Bob, Not Bob and World's Best Class Plant. Ms. Scanlon is also a poet, a teacher and a frequent & popular presenter at schools, libraries and conferences. She serves on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good way to talk about birthdays to toddlers. Sweet illustrations - love the textured pencil and pen work.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely aimed at toddlers, this book tells the story of a little bunny celebrating her birthday with her family. Adorable illustrations help make this a nice group read aloud for toddler or baby story time.

[Fran N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful rhyming book celebrating a child's birthday. This book beautifully illustrates not only the joy and fun of a birthday, but also the sometimes scary noise, extra attention, and sadness when the day is done from the child's POV and illustrations. A nice way to prepare a young child for the mixed emotions that happen on a birthday celebration. A nice starting point for child and parent to discuss party planning.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute art.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and very, very sweet.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Storytime, September 12, 2018
Theme: Birthdays

[Laura Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant--rhyming Q&A. Love it!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book! Lovely illustrations with a nice color palette. It doesn't have a lot of text, but it captures a young child really well.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay, basic

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute way to learn about birthdays for the very youngest! There are lots of colors, animals, shapes, and objects to keep little ones' attention.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect cute birthday book for a young child.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toddler bunny celebrates her birthday with a sense of wonder.

The text is in rhyming couplets.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book for babies and toddlers about bunny’s first birthday.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story 3
Illustrations 4

[Tristann Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for birthdays and bunny lovers. Colorful illustrations and rhyming text make for an easy read for your young ones.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book that rhymes and has good illustrations. Recommend for ages 3-5.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Birthdays, Bunnies

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have I ever given a bad review to a book about bunnies? No, I don't think it's possible, since they're my favorite animal. So you can take any review I write about a bunny book, and a cute one at that, with a massive grain of salt. But on its own merits, I really do think that Happy Birthday, Bunny! was a nice picture book, and an adorable one to boot. It's a very simple story with rhyming text, like "Someone's knocking--who is here? Peekaboo, it's Nana, dear." It's on the cutesy side, obviously, because it's written for very young children, but there are little details in the illustrations for the adults. For example, in the scene where all the adults are taking pictures of the birthday bunny, many of them have SLRs and the like, but one of the rabbits has what looks like an iphone, but instead of an apple, there's a logo of a carrot with a bite taken out of it (::knee slaps::).

Storytime ideas: bunnies, birthday parties
Scanlon's website has activity ideas and booktalks here: http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/HBB.pdf

Ages 2-4

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story in rhyming text about a little bunny's birthday party. Strong sense of family, friends and excitement comes through in pencil & ink wash illustrations. Sweet read-aloud, just a sentence or two per page. Little details in the illustrations are fun to look for: the pattern in the endpapers matches the wallpaper in the house...Nana (in her carrot-patterned top) and Grandpa smiling and larger than life as the door is opened. I like the way the story is set up with a question and answer format. "What do you mean that time just flies?" (everyone huddled around a photo album)...turn the page..."You're growing up before our eyes." (snapshots of Little Bunny from infancy to present). The back cover is an extension of the front, with Bunny's family and friends looking on as she holds her birthday cake. Sweet and fun, just like birthdays should be.

2 starred reviews -- PW & Kirkus (2.12.13)

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a little bunny who is having a big birthday party (and a cake with three candles on it). It is totally told in rhymes that are one part questions from the little bunny about what is happening and one part answers. For example, “Someone’s knocking–who is here? | Peekaboo, it’s Nana, dear.”

The sweet story has wonderful illustrations to go along with it. And the adults reading the story will even find a few fun details just for them (one of the grown up bunnies is taking a picture with a phone that is shaped like an iPhone but it has a carrot with a “bite” taken out on the back of the phone).

Little ones will enjoy reading this book as a prelude to a birthday or two of friends and relatives that they know and love.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early readers will enjoy this sweetly sentimental picture book celebrating Bunny's birthday. Bunny has the chance to get all dressed up, open her presents and blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Because so many of the rituals associated with Bunny's birthday will be familiar to readers from their own special days. The pencil and ink wash illustrations are filled with pastel pinks and yellows that are often associated with birthday parties for deserving little ones such as Bunny. I liked how the book captures the anticipation for the celebration so effectively.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I saw the cover of this book, I was initially excited that it'd be in the same vein as Peter McCarthy's HENRY IN LOVE ! (http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006...). Nope. All the bunnies, but none of the sincerity and charm of McCarthy's books.

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUNNY! on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978144...

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first (or second) birthday celebration seen through the young eyes of the birthday bunny herself! The illustrations are absolutely adorable and go through all the best parts of celebrating a special day with family. My favorite page is where everyone is taking photos of the birthday bunny - one of the rabbit guests is snapping a photo with his iPhone!

[EOL Juv Staff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a new birthday book? Look no further than this story about a bunny family celebrating their little one's birthday. The rhyming text consists of the birthday bunny's "why" questions and the family members' answers. My favorite: "Why is everyone so loud?" "Because we're all so thrilled and proud!"

reh

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute picture book with rhyming text. The story begins with what clothes to wear, people showing up to the party, the party, opening presents, taking pictures, and saying goodbye. A typical birthday party told in a super fun, rhyming way.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

For such a tight, brief text, this book successfully introduces a lot of birthday party conventions to a young child and offers a great starting point for discussions.

On the "taking a picture page," I LOVE the iPhone with a carrot icon instead of an apple!!!

[Romelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet rhyming picture book about an inquisitive bunny on her birthday. (Q &A done in rhyme)
Illustrations done in pencil and ink wash for a classic look.
A perfect picture book for the young reader about to celebrate a birthday
For Young readers ages 2-5

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why does everyone say cheese? / Because we want a picture, please! / What do you mean that time just flies? / You're growing up before our eyes. / And is that it? My birthday's done? / Till next year, my sweet honey bun."

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book makes the needle on my saccharine meter edge up. Not icky-sticky, but something about it made me cringe--I think it's the art, which is a little bit on the precious side. This will be okay for parents wanting a birthday book for a little one, but there's better stuff out there.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little Bunny wants her birthday to be "hoppy!" This sweet book reminds us all of the joys and fun that birthdays bring when you are young and carefree. I really appreciated the pictures at the end that detailed how much little bunny had grown!