The Rabbit, the Dark, and the Cookie Tin

by Nicola O'Byrne

Rabbit doesn't want to go to bed, so he decides to kidnap The Dark and trap it in a cookie tin so he can stay up all night long. But then The Dark reminds Rabbit of all the good things that darkness brings. What about all the nocturnal animals? And surely you can't have a yummy breakfast of toast and honey and fresh orange juice unless you've been to bed? But the BEST thing about the dark, of course, is reading a really good bedtime story!

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

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2019

About the author

Nicola O’Byrne was banned from watching Saturday morning television by her parents and she has been drawing ever since. She grew up in Singapore surrounded by the vibrant colors of the tropics and had not even heard of illustration as a career before she discovered the Illustration course at Edinburgh College of Art. She has a masters in printmaking from Camberwell College of Art. Nicola O’Byrne gets most of her ideas for children’s books when she should be working on something else, and bases all of her characters on people she knows. She lives in England.

Reviews

[Sara Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed with a a daughter who does not like to sleep. When I heard a mother with two kids saying that this book put them both to sleep, and that they loved it, I bought it immediately!

Guess what? It kind of works! If I don’t fall asleep first, I only have to read it twice every night.

The story is cute, the drawings are wonderful, my kids love it and they sleep after.

Thank you kind stranger!

100% recommended 🥳

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mooi boek! Flapje openen om te zien wat er in de trommel zit vinden ze geweldig!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one just made me feel happy. If you have a kid that refuses to go to bed, forwhatever reason, or is scared of the dark, it was a nice story on why the world needs night framed by a rabbit that's the representation on every kid out there refusing sleep. The cute twist of the "open the flap" sort of book page that happened at the end gave out a nice "sense of wonder" to end the story on. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit is één van de prentenboeken die je het liefst gelijk hardop voorleest en met alle stemmetjes en bewegingen die bij het verhaal horen.

Als de dagen weer wat langer worden en het na het avondeten nog licht is buiten, is het logisch dat ieder kind allerlei smoesjes verzint om nog even te buiten spelen en stampvoetend mededeelt nog niet naar bed te willen. Ook Konijn uit dit originele verhaal lijkt precies op de inventieve peuter en kleuter.

Konijn denkt de oplossing te hebben gevonden om langer op te blijven, zelfs helemaal NIET naar bed te gaan want hij is NIET moe.
Konijn gaat vindingrijk de koektrommel halen en het Donker een koekje aanbieden. Net op het moment als het Donker zijn hand er naar uitsteekt, sluit Konijn pats-boem het Donker op in de koektrommel. Triomfantelijk zegt Konijn dat hij nu lekker kan opblijven omdat het licht blijft. De argumenten van Donker om hem vrij te laten kunnen Konijn niet vermurwen, Konijn blijft doordrammen dat hij niet naar bed gaat. En dan slaat toch de twijfel toe bij het inmiddels van moeheid mopperige Konijn. Hij beseft dat niet alleen dieren zoals de uil het donker nodig hebben, maar ook worteltjes die Konijn graag eet bij het ontbijt. Het loof hangt er slap blij door de warmte van de dag en Konijn bedenkt dat hij iets moet doen met de koele koektrommel waarin het donker van de nacht zit. Er gaat een verrassende wereld voor Konijn open!
De nachtdieren zijn blij en Konijn kan zachtjes indommelen bij het verhaaltje voor het slapengaan.

De illustraties zijn mooi en kleurig met leuke details. De herhaling van voorwerpen zorgt voor herkenbaarheid. De tekst heeft een prettig lettertype, leest goed en bijkomend voordeel voor tijdrekkers er is lekker veel te lezen!
Een leuk, lief en herkenbaar verhaal om van te genieten met een verrassende pop-up aan het einde en een leerzaam element. Dit boek zal heel lang op de voorleesplank blijven staan want welk kind wil zich niet iedere keer laten verwonderen door de magie van het donker?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Once upon a time, there was a rabbit who didn't want to go to sleep. "Oh, no!" squeaked Rabbit when it started to get dark. "I'm not tired and I don't want to go to bed!" Then a bright idea popped into his head. "I don't want to go to bed," said Rabbit, "and if it doesn't get dark, I won't have to."

Premise/plot: Rabbit IS NOT tired. Rabbit IS NOT cranky. Rabbit IS clever, right?! I mean who else would think up a way to TRAP THE DARKNESS to put off bedtime?!?!

My thoughts: I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this story. It is a PROPER story. I love the play between Rabbit and the Dark--their dialogue/conversation. It's just a super-fun and delightful read. It probably isn't a bedtime story that will make your little ones sleepy. It probably is a story-time story that will make you LAUGH.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

[Vern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequences!!!

Very cute book.

No wilty carrots!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this. Rabbit has a specific problem (doesn't want to go to sleep) and a solution (trap the dark in a cookie tin) that teaches a simple concept-- nighttime has a helpful, positive purpose. I like the illustrations too.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbit is not tired, not grumpy, and doesn't want to go to bed. Rabbit is pretty smart. Lovely, funny, with a nice fold-out.

Library copy

[Izabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mysig godnatt bok!

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Rabbit is not ready to go to bed and is annoyed at the fact that night is approaching. So, with some wit, he traps Night in his biscuit tin. Whilst Rabbit frolics around in the endless daytime, Night shares with him the consequences of there being no darkness.

This is a lovely addition from Nosy Crow. O'Byrne captures the impetuousness of a young child in the Rabbit who remains blindingly defiant until the consequences cannot be ignored. Night, like a well-tempered parent, gently shows him why it is important for all us.

The illustrations, are gentle and welcoming but readers will love the big 'OHH!' lift-the-flap moment when Rabbit makes a big choice. I may have reservations over the connections between 'why' the dark is needed but my boys did not! The book closes with a message about bedtime that both parent and child will enjoy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Little rabbit isn’t sleepy and he doesn’t want to go to bed so he hatches a plan to steal the dark and put it in a biscuit tin. Of course many creatures depend on the dark, like bats and owls.
A delightful story about not wanting to go to bed but also the importance of night time and sleep.

[Annie Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the imagination behind this story which was supported by fantastic illustrations. Great story to introduce to children helping them understand the importance of the dark and to not be afraid of it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever book with a twist on the theme of not wanting to go to bed. I was thorough delighted and surprised while reading it. Highly recommend as a picture book.

[Ansley Cumberland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rabbit, the Dark, and the Cookie Tin tells the story of a rabbit who hates bedtime. He realizes that if the sky never turns dark, he never has to go to sleep; therefore, he sets off to capture darkness -- in a cookie tin. The rest of the story follows the rabbit as he carries around the cookie tin, with The Dark inside trying to convince him to let him out!

This was a fun little book in which a rabbit learned to appreciate night and the dark just like he did the daytime! I was quite surprised when "The Dark" was a character that had conversations with the rabbit. And it was fun little detail that the way he decided to catch The Dark was in an empty cookie tin! The three-dimensional cookie tin was a unique addition to the book. The illustrations were very pretty, and they weren't too sophisticated for a children's book.

I would add this book to my classroom bookshelf. However, I think the most obvious benefit and application of this book would be with a parent reading to a child who tends to resist bedtime. Throughout the story, it is possible the child might realize there are good things about the nighttime, and come to appreciate the dark a little more. Also, the three-dimensional cookie tin is a fun way for children to interact with the book -- I'm sure children reading along will highly anticipate the release of The Dark, and will be so excited they get to be a part of the story by opening the tin!

[Melissa Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a clever tale of a rabbit who doesn't want to go to bed. Rabbit thinks that if it's not dark he no longer has to go to bed, so he devises a clever plan to trap the Dark. Rabbit uses his last biscuit to tempt Dark into the biscuit tin and shuts him in there. Dark tries to persuade Rabbit to let him out by means of guilt- young nocturnal animals can't come out, temptation- breakfast time and appealing to Rabbit's selfish nature- no more carrots! Eventually, Rabbit lets the Dark out when he realises that he and his carrots and too hot, carrots wilt, when there's no Dark. The Dark then shows Rabbit how magical it can be with a wonderful picture of the night sky.

In schools I would use this as a theme across the curriculum- Literacy (writing a letter as a nocturnal animal to Rabbit persuading him to let the Dark out), Maths (vegetable patch- how many carrots can I fit in this space?), Science (food chains, weather and the night sky), Drama (how would Rabbit/ another animal act) and art (creating a night sky through a chosen medium).

This is such a fabulous book that appeals to younger and older readers and appeals to me as a parent as my son would come up with a very similar idea! I cannot wait to read more of O'Byrne's work!

[Ivy Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the clever tale of a rabbit who traps the coming night in a cookie tin. Against all odds, this daring concept is beautifully captured in both the illustrations and the sweetly clever narrative.
My daughter, who has had a terrible fear of the dark, deeply related to the rabbit’s desire to keep daylight all the time. But her great comfort came from the gentle and beautiful personification of the dark as a starry night sky. The story worked out in a way that made sense to her, and left us both giggling.
For educators: The story does touch briefly on the science concept of nocturnal animals, plants needing a cycle of both sun and dark, and crankiness cues signaling that you need to sleep. The finale includes an end page pop-out: you open the cookie tin, which unfolds origami-style into a 2x2 sized spread of nighttime escaping back into the world. It evokes gasps of delight which make the kids want to open it again and again. But it also ensures that end page will not last very long, despite being composed of sturdy paper.

[Educateempower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a child who does not like to sleep?

Have you ever wondered what your evening would look like if the dark never came?

I know we've all wished it, especially on those wonderful summer days.

The rabbit, the dark and the Biscuit Tin by Nicola O'Byrne is a cute story about a little rabbit who does not like going to bed and wishes that the evening never - ever came.

But little does he realises that without night time, many living things suffer.

The rabbit, the dark and the Biscuit Tin by Nicola O'Byrne will  teach children about the need for night and day, and the animals and plants that need it.

The illustrations are vibrant and the pop out towards the end will amaze young readers.

The rabbit, the dark and the Biscuit Tin by Nicola O'Byrne is a perfect story for those children who do not like bed time as after this book they will come to appreciate just how important it is!

[Hannah Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows a rabbit who refuses to go to bed. To avoid going to sleep, the rabbit tricks the dark and traps him into a cookie tin! The dark tries to show all the reasons he is needed and why the rabbit needs to let him out. The dark shows him all the nocturnal animals that need him, the plants that need shade, the weather that needs regulated, and the rabbit who needs sleep not to be grumpy! Finally, the rabbit lets the dark out. The dark shows the rabbit how beautiful night time can be and the rabbit learns the beauty of the night.
I loved this book! I though it was so unique and fun. It is the perfect book for any kiddo who is afraid of the dark. It can show them all the values and beauty of the night. The book also teaches children about nocturnal animals and how the night time regulates plants and weather. There is also a fun pop up added when the dark is finally released from the cookie tin. It is such a sweet book perfect for elementary and middle school children.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE! So original! Rabbit doesn't want to go to bed, they aren't tired. If it isn't dark they don't have to go to bed, right? Right! So Rabbit finds a cookie tin and captures The Dark. The Dark talk to Rabbit and they go back and forth on why we all need the dark, how breakfast only happens after you have slept, and how even carrots need dark. The Dark being this big talking thing could be kinda scary/creepy, but the illustrations and overall story keep that from happening. There is even this awesome foldout when Rabbit opens the cookie tin and the dark shows a beautiful night sky. Super fun, and cute and different. Well worth the read, and I see children asking for this one over and over.

[Chantal HK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un magnifique livre qui raconte l'histoire d'un petit lapin qui n'a pas sommeil et qui refuse d'aller au lit. Une idée surgit alors et il décide de capturer la nuit pour qu'elle n'arrive jamais. Il découvrira alors à quel point la nuit est essentielle, par exemple pour les animaux nocturnes.
Plusieurs thèmes sont abordés dans cet album, qui peuvent donner lieu à un éventail d'activités pédagogiques. Plusieurs mots de vocabulaire sont également présents dans le texte. On peut travailler autant la science que le français ou l'univers social grâce à ce charmant album.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Rabbit is not tired does NOT want to go to bed so he traps the Dark in a cookie tin. The Dark reminds Rabbit that many animals need him. Bats and Owl and the little foxes are just getting up when Rabbit goes to bed. But despite getting more tired and grumpier by the minute, Rabbit won't let the Dark out of the cookie tin.

Funny and sweet, this adorable bedtime story ends with a beautiful pop-up surprise.

[Claire Cullins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay in my opinion, it was interesting how it had three very different things brought together into one book. I did appreciate how the author tied the dark, cookies, and a rabbit together, I thought that was unique. This book taught the lesson of not taking things that do not belong to you and to be aware that things can benefit some differently than they benefit you. It teaches young kids to not be selfish and to be more aware to appreciate what they have been given.

[Lee Peckover · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is essentially a cute story of a rabbit refusing to go to sleep because they aren't tired (a story I'm sure all parents can relate to) is elevated by the fact that it offers opportunities to teach about nocturnal animals and the importance of nightfall. It's elevated further by the fold out page of darkness when the darkness is released, a page/feature my son adores. This is just a lovely bedtime read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the large field of "not wanting to go to bed" books. Rabbit is not tired so he decides to trap The Dark inside a cookie tin. Rabbit soon realizes that other creatures rely on The Dark, and has a change of heart. A really cute story with adorable illustrations, this book is a winner.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: Rabbit

As the night creeps in, stubborn Rabbit does not want to go to bed and captures the Dark in a cookie tin. The Dark calmly states his case for freedom until Rabbit concedes, springing forth a magical nighttime pop-up. A calming tale of someone that refuses to go to bed until reason is found.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbit locks away The Dark in a cookie tin. He doesn't think it will have any consequences, but soon learns that other animals rely on the darkness, and his own personal routines are out of whack without it. One of those "nighttime is beautiful, not scary" books. I LOVE the foldout when the night is released back into the world--that was lovely.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story about a rabbit who decides he is going to capture the dark so he doesn't have to go to bed. After a few lessons and some encouragement from "the dark" (who is being held hostage in a cookie tin), Rabbit realizes what an important job the dark has to do and lets him go. It is a fun story with some educational points about nocturnal animals and the importance of day and night.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the night creeps in, stubborn Rabbit does not want to go to bed and captures the Dark in a cookie tin. The Dark calmly states his case for freedom until Rabbit concedes, springing forth a magical nighttime pop-up. A calming tale of someone that refuses to go to bed until reason is found.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Sourimak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un album pour apprendre que le cycle jour/nuit a une grande importance pour convaincre les bougons qu'il faut aller dormir le soir !!!
Avec de beaux dessins et un personnage principal attachant, bien que grognon, on apprend que ce qui nous dérange peut être bénéfique aux autres. J'aime que le lapin se laisse attendrir et le petit pop-up de fin d'histoire est très sympa !

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little rabbit decides he doesn't want to go to sleep so he captures the night in a cookie tin. Eventually he is convinced that the night has good qualities and order is restored. This is great book for kids who don't like the dark or have a hard time going to bed.