The Most Timid in the Land: A Bunny Romance

by Oliver Herford, Sylvia Long (Illustrator)

New from the illustrator of the bestselling children's book Ten Little Rabbits, this whimsical poem has all the makings of a traditional fairy tale--knights in armor, a royal proclamation, and a contest to win the princess's hand. Full color throughout.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Oliver Herford (1863–1935) was a British-born American writer, artist and illustrator who has been called "The American Oscar Wilde". His family immigrated to Chicago, Illinois when he was twelve, then moved on to Boston seven years later. After schooling back in England and in Ohio, he settled in New York City with his wife Margaret Regan, where he became the writer, illustrator, and poet.

As a frequent contributor to The Mentor, Life, and Ladies' Home Journal, he sometimes signed his artwork as "O Herford". In 1906 he wrote and illustrated the Little Book of Bores. He also wrote short poems like The Chimpanzee and The Hen, as well as writing and illustrating The Rubaiyat of a Persian Kitten (1904) and Excuse It Please (1930). His sister Beatrice Herford was also a humorist.

Ethel Mumford and Addison Mizner wrote a small book The Cynic's Calendar of Revised Wisdom for 1903 as a Christmas present and added Herford's name as an author as a joke. The printer made up more copies to sell and to everyone's surprise it was an astounding success. When Herford found out about it he wanted 90% of the royalties. He was awarded an equal third.

Reviews

[Grace McGregor · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most insipid celebration of beta males that I have ever had the misfortune of reading.

[Kezia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A fun story, although it's a pretty open ending, so you might enjoy it more if you go in expecting that!

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 11/21/11 -


What a shame that I have to give this story one star when in reality it wasn't a *bad* story. But I want to know what child could possibly understand what the hell this book says.

"when alarms were rife
In the ancestral wood
...
The king, for fear long peace had made
His subjects over-bold,
To wake the glorious spirit
Of timidity of old,"

Really? Listen, my six year old daughter can give more adults a run for their money when it comes to vocab but really?
This is a shame because the story, behind all the fluff, is actually decent. But I don't know one kid who could or would sit and listen to this willingly.
I got "the look" on page 2 I think and although we did finish it neither of us was pleased.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do always love a picture book with a back story, and perhaps they all have a back story. The rhyming prose was all written by Oliver Herford at the turn of the 20th century. It was then illustrated and revivified in the 1990s for a modern audience. Cute bunnies in medieval dress on every page looking for the most timid bunny in the land to marry the princess. An interesting turn on the usual fairy tale.