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Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
Tippy, tippy, tippy, Pat!
That's the sound three hungry bunnies make when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and Mr. McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While's he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first!
Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw!
That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done... Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away.
Children will cheer for the bunnies - or for Mr. McGreely - as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.
That's the sound three hungry bunnies make when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and Mr. McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While's he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first!
Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw!
That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done... Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away.
Children will cheer for the bunnies - or for Mr. McGreely - as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
12 people are currently reading
1096 people want to read
About the author
Candace Fleming
66 books631 followersI have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
September 7, 2010
This would make a great read-aloud because of all the fun word play (I love just saying the cover, "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" and there's lots more in the story, too.) The illustrations are not exactly my cup of tea, but they are very interesting and I enjoyed them. What I especially appreciated is that the "message" of the story is kind of left open to interpretation. When the man decides he will finally plant a garden, three bunnies come and muncha-muncha-muncha on his veggies. He is so annoyed that he builds bigger (and supposedly better) defenses but the bunnies find a way in. Now, are the bunnies being naughty for stealing food that isn't theirs? Or were they perhaps the residents of the backyard before the man ever came there? Or...? It's up to you. The final illustration is so amusing and provides a hint at what the relationship between the farmer and the bunnies will be like in the future. Overall, I wasn't wowed by the book when I read it, but appreciate it more upon reflection.
April 13, 2017
Here was a fun book about Mr. McGreely and his attempts to keep his garden safe from three hungry bunnies.
July 13, 2016
I like these pictures. The bunnies are too cute. An interesting build on story with a funny ending. I think the sounds and actions can work in a storytime. I'm interested to see what I could do with it, and how the children would react to it.
3/31/10 & 4/1/10 This came off very well in the storytimes. I could tell the children loved the story. And they were definitely caught be the story and wondering what would happen. I did well with the different sounds and actions, but I think I could have done even better. Both groups didn't fully get the ending--they loved seeing bunnies eating, but they didn't catch that they had snuck into the garden in Mr. McGreely's basket. That is a definite detail that can be missed if you aren't looking closely at the pictures. Still, it worked and they liked it (adults, too).
Original Rating: 3 stars. New rating: 4 stars.
2/15/12 Didn't work as well as I'd hoped in the first, larger group. Then again, many of those kids have such blank affects, it's hard to tell. They were good at sitting quietly and listening. But either I'm not reading very well and they're forgetting to smile. The second group was much better at smiling and a couple of them saw the rabbits hiding in the basket. Both groups liked seeing the end with Mr M. sharing with the bunnies.
7/13/16 Used as opener in V is for... theme (vegetables). I had them doing the actions with the rabbits, which the kids really enjoyed. They liked the pictures. And liked seeing the bunnies in the basket. Yay!
3/31/10 & 4/1/10 This came off very well in the storytimes. I could tell the children loved the story. And they were definitely caught be the story and wondering what would happen. I did well with the different sounds and actions, but I think I could have done even better. Both groups didn't fully get the ending--they loved seeing bunnies eating, but they didn't catch that they had snuck into the garden in Mr. McGreely's basket. That is a definite detail that can be missed if you aren't looking closely at the pictures. Still, it worked and they liked it (adults, too).
Original Rating: 3 stars. New rating: 4 stars.
2/15/12 Didn't work as well as I'd hoped in the first, larger group. Then again, many of those kids have such blank affects, it's hard to tell. They were good at sitting quietly and listening. But either I'm not reading very well and they're forgetting to smile. The second group was much better at smiling and a couple of them saw the rabbits hiding in the basket. Both groups liked seeing the end with Mr M. sharing with the bunnies.
7/13/16 Used as opener in V is for... theme (vegetables). I had them doing the actions with the rabbits, which the kids really enjoyed. They liked the pictures. And liked seeing the bunnies in the basket. Yay!
Read
July 22, 2015The gardener plants the seeds.
The gardener plants the seeds.
High ho the derry oh,
The gardener plants the seeds.
2nd verse: The rain falls on the ground.
3rd verse: The sun shines bright and warm.
4th verse: The seeds begin to grow.
5th verse: Flowers grow everywhere.
A little sun (hold arms above head)
A little rain (wiggle figers in air in downward motion)
Now pull up all teh weeds (pretend to pull weeds)
Our flowers grow, all in a row (hold all ten figers lined up)
From tiny little seeds (hold thumb nad finger to show size of seed)
A little garden seed (left hand closed)
Is lying in its bed
A warm spring sun (form circle over head with fingers of right hand)
Is shining over head
Down came the raindrops (right hand cescends with fingers moving)
Dancing to and fro
The little seed awakens
And starts to grow.
The gardener plants the seeds.
High ho the derry oh,
The gardener plants the seeds.
2nd verse: The rain falls on the ground.
3rd verse: The sun shines bright and warm.
4th verse: The seeds begin to grow.
5th verse: Flowers grow everywhere.
A little sun (hold arms above head)
A little rain (wiggle figers in air in downward motion)
Now pull up all teh weeds (pretend to pull weeds)
Our flowers grow, all in a row (hold all ten figers lined up)
From tiny little seeds (hold thumb nad finger to show size of seed)
A little garden seed (left hand closed)
Is lying in its bed
A warm spring sun (form circle over head with fingers of right hand)
Is shining over head
Down came the raindrops (right hand cescends with fingers moving)
Dancing to and fro
The little seed awakens
And starts to grow.
May 29, 2018
The kids loved this silly story. The repetition was perfect to keep the little ones engaged and the older ones couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the bunnies in this story and the story of Peter Rabbit.
March 27, 2019
I really thought it was a funny book because the farmer made a big wall to protect his garden from the bunnies. The wall was massive!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2019
I really liked this one! I loved the story and thought the end was funny. I'm using this for my first storytime on Saturday.
April 9, 2020
Nice story and illustrations, with a cute surprise ending!
August 6, 2020
I read this in English and in Spanish. The English is certainly easier! It was fun to read both to Alena today.
June 8, 2017
So cute!! And in the world of picture books featuring devious animals, I like this one 100x better than Those Darn Squirrels. Our children's librarian, Bekka, recommended it saying it's a really good read aloud and I can totally see that!
Read
November 7, 2014In “Muncha, Muncha, Muncha”, Mr. McGreely is excited to plant a garden for the first time. However, he is frustrated each day to find that bunnies have been eating his vegetables. His methods to keep bunnies out of his garden become increasingly extreme. In the end, he thinks he finally has the bunnies beat.
This is a picture book, because each page has illustrations, and there is a small amount of text.
This book is excellent for reading aloud to students. The use of repetition and onomatopoeia make it especially fun to listen to. It is humorous to see Mr. McGreely getting angrier and angrier as the bunnies continue to outsmart him. Students could practice making predictions about whether the bunnies will get into the garden each time Mr. McGreely tries something new. Scholastic Book Wizard labels this as a book for students in grades K-2, although I think 3rd and 4th graders would also enjoy it. The reading level is grade level equivalent 2.6.
This is a picture book, because each page has illustrations, and there is a small amount of text.
This book is excellent for reading aloud to students. The use of repetition and onomatopoeia make it especially fun to listen to. It is humorous to see Mr. McGreely getting angrier and angrier as the bunnies continue to outsmart him. Students could practice making predictions about whether the bunnies will get into the garden each time Mr. McGreely tries something new. Scholastic Book Wizard labels this as a book for students in grades K-2, although I think 3rd and 4th graders would also enjoy it. The reading level is grade level equivalent 2.6.
October 7, 2015
This is the story of an excited gardner who is soon troubled by rabbits coming to eat his vegetables. His small wire fence soon advances to a wall with a trench, and still the rabbits come to muncha, muncha, muncha.
This book is filled with fun and repetitive language and a timeless battle between humans and pesky animals in gardens. The author captures the farmers emotions through detailed illustrations and fun with the text. Readers can relate to the farmers and persistent bunnies alike in this playful text.
This book is filled with fun and repetitive language and a timeless battle between humans and pesky animals in gardens. The author captures the farmers emotions through detailed illustrations and fun with the text. Readers can relate to the farmers and persistent bunnies alike in this playful text.
September 10, 2011
Children will love the sound effects that Fleming has running throughout the story. They cheer for the bunnies to always get to the vegetable garden, or they can cheer for Mr. McGreely and his attempts to keep the bunnies out. Young children will be able to memorize parts of the story because the bunnies keep the same actions throughout and there is repetition in the action. The illustrations are colorful and take up the entire page in many cases.
May 27, 2014
It's bunnies vs. Mr. McGreely and a garden full of vegetables is on the line. No matter what clever scheme Mr. McGreely dreams up to keep the bunnies out of the garden, they find their way in and eat all his fresh food.
I LOVE this book for reading aloud, especially because the illustrations and the well-timed page turns lend themselves very well to predicting what will happen next. Plus, kids love the refrain: MUNCHA, MUNCHA, MUNCHA!
Highly recommended for PreK-2+.
I LOVE this book for reading aloud, especially because the illustrations and the well-timed page turns lend themselves very well to predicting what will happen next. Plus, kids love the refrain: MUNCHA, MUNCHA, MUNCHA!
Highly recommended for PreK-2+.
November 19, 2012
I don't know. I can totally see the cuteness of the book and how you could have fun with it at storytime emoting Mr. Greely's frustration, but it just doesn't reach me like some other picture books do. This one just isn't for me, that's all, but I know a lot of children's librarians that swear by Muncha!
December 3, 2013
I liked this book. It can be used in many ways for literacy. It contains a lot of past tense verbs, it has a variety of punctuation, and it has some words that may be hard for students to understand. This can be used for a mini-lesson teaching on a lot of content areas. It will definitely be used in my classroom.
June 3, 2015
Hilarious tale of a farmer and 3 rabbit who out wit him at every turn. My 5 year old son thought it was very funny. Though it is a simple tale it includes great concepts and easy repetition and rhyming for kids. We will continue to read this one again and again.
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July 4, 2015This is an excellent book that is chock full of concepts that can be used in the classroom. Some ideas include, cause and effect, sequencing, problem solving, compare and contrast, beginning, middle and end and even a lesson about sharing. I loved the word-play and the vocabulary.
December 7, 2018
This is a great simple read and young readers will enjoy its rhythmic text. Children will be able to follow along and interact with this book if it were read aloud. This is a cheerful read for young children as it is interactive, fun and full of illustrations.
February 8, 2019
Great book! I have used this book in the classroom with third graders to teach onomatopoeia. There are also super illustrations by G. Brian Karas of cute little bunnies and such in the garden. This is a super book.
May 23, 2012
Cute, free little book with bunnies that came in our Cheerios.
June 30, 2015
Gardeners beware, if you've ever battled garden eating animals, this book might give you nightmares :-) My dad would have loved this book!
January 20, 2017
I wouldn't think it possible, but this story gets better the more often you read it.
March 22, 2019
These clever rabbits combined with Fleming's genius use of language and imagery make this a favorite in our house.
April 19, 2023
We continue to chuckle at this book.
And if you have ever grown any type of garden, you resonate with Mr. McGreely.
And if you have ever grown any type of garden, you resonate with Mr. McGreely.
October 26, 2021
Author, Candace Fleming published this story in 2002 and it is a winner of the Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award. This story is for young readers, ranging from Kindergarten to 2nd grade. The story begins when Mr. McGreenly admires vegetables through the glass windows of the garden store. He has always wanted to grow his own vegetables in a garden, so he decides he finally is going to try! He plants all of his carrots and other vegetables and is very excited to grow them to eat. However, one night, a few bunnies decided to eat the vegetables in his garden! He becomes angry and first puts a wire fence around the garden to ward off the bunnies, but that plan fails because they sneak in anyways. Finally, he creates a building around his garden to protect it, and he is very pleased that the bunnies did not eat his vegetables. He then realizes that they are about to start munching on the carrots, and the final illustration is of him and the bunnies sharing the carrots. The focal point of the ending of this story is to teach children that sharing is important. The illustrations in this story offered a beautiful overall depiction of the text and provided the readers with visual examples of how Mr. McGreenly handled his problem. Teachers can read this to their students to introduce the Onomatopoeia. An Onomatopoeia is a word, or series of words that phonetically resemble noises and sounds. In this case, Fleming uses these in her story to make it come to life. Teachers could provide students with an activity after reading the book. The students can be asked to search through the book to locate any Onomatopoeia they see. The students can then write about what each Onomatopoeia represents.
January 21, 2020
All Mr. McGreely wants to do is enjoy his garden. He just wanted to take up a new hobby, work hard on his garden and eat a bit healthier. Unfortunately, every night those pesky bunnies broke into the garden and ate his vegetables. Mr. McGreely admittedly did a little much to try and solve his bunny problem by building fences, walls and even a trench around his garden; however, the bunnies kept getting through to eat his vegetables. This book will keep young readers in suspense as they enjoy the story and simple and bold illustrations. This is a great read aloud for kids because of the repetition, prediction opportunities, and the surprise ending. While listening to this book students could have fun repeating the built up phrases such as “Tippy-tippy-tippy, Pat!” and of course “Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!” to allow them the chance to interact with the story.
January 22, 2025
This book, to me, is a must read for a Rabbits themed Storytime. I like to read books where the animal acts like the animal for my animal themed Storytimes, and while these little rabbits do wear little jumpers, I enjoy how they foil the gardener at every turn, ending up muncha muncha munching on his vegetables. I like to include the audience by telling them it's their job to do the "Muncha muncha muncha" part, and I make a hand motion to tell them when it's time to say the line. A cute and fun story- when sharing, encourage the child to look for the bunnies in each illustration. Great for preschoolers.
February 14, 2018
I like this book because of this phrase" but one night, When the sun went down and the moon came up" After reading this, something happened in the garden. I like also repetition of onomatopoeia. I can use this book for the science lesson and engineering project to built a fence to keep rabbits out of a garden. There are many positional words in this book like over, under, and around. Those are good for preschool and kindergarten aged kids.
August 9, 2023
Sorry, I just can't. Irl, I can't have a garden in any of the places I've lived because of rabbits or other pests. I'd love to share the bounty, a la' Rabbit Hill, but it just doesn't work that way. Imy, the critters will not leave enough behind to make it worthwhile to plant, unless your sole goal is to feed them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews