Jackrabbit

by Jonathan London, Deborah Kogan Ray (Illustrator)

Illustrated in full color. Forced from her home by bulldozers, baby Jackrabbit can't keep up with her family and finds herself frightened and alone. It's not long, however, before some humans discover her, and they're quick to do what they can to take care of her--from feeding her with a doll's bottle to making her a bed of straw. When Jackrabbit is big enough to return to the wild, the family makes the difficult decision to return her to her real home--to raise a family of her own.  

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 1996

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine and realistic tale about a woman who adopts, and raises an abandoned jackrabbit, AND, most importantly - returns the creature to the wild. With very nice illustrations by Deborah Kogan Ray. Good for an older child who is looking for a book about animals.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover on this book is beautiful and the title doesn't give away to the perusing reader any idea of what may be behind the pages. Instead the reader is left to imagine all the choices unless they find a summary to read about what this beautiful book could be around.

But once you open the cover you are brought into the comfy den of a mother jackrabbit cuddling with her babies. Unfortunately trouble isn't far behind and for one of the kits it means a totally new life in which not only do the humans take away what is the most important thing in her short life but also add to it. Although heartbreakingly sad it is also a note of hope in the world of conservation and for those who have faced life-changing events to enjoy all the beautiful yet unusual experiences that they may not have had a chance to enjoyed otherwise.

The illustrations are beautiful, warm natural colors that don't really seem to change much. The little jackrabbit's shape in few pages is just left as a rounded form that blends into her natural background or even just a few body parts poking out from the natural foliage.

All in all it was a wonderful little story that will allow the reader to know just how much we damage the world around us when we take measures against but that there are still good people out there working to undo just some of the damages. And it will also continue to be an ongoing message that life does go on, we end up where we need to be and that memories of the past good times can and will continue to move us forth when we allow them to do so.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindness and helping others.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous book to read to your child with a true lesson in nature.
Wonderfully illustrated in color by Deborah Kogan Ray.