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Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present
Unsure of what to give her mother for a birthday present, a young girl seeks advice from a friendly rabbit who translates the mother's love of color into an imaginative yet quite practical gift.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1962
14 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Zolotow
102 books79 followersCharlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
March 14, 2019
The artwork here is beautiful, but the human-like rabbit is very creepy. It wasn’t just me; the kids thought it was creepy as well. The legs are to human like or something and it makes him look demented or a man in a bunny costume
Simple story. A girl needs a gift for her mom’s birthday, so she asks the rabbit to help her come up with something. It felt a little repetitious to me. I was tired of both of them by the time this was over. I am not so much a fan of this one. Lovely art by Maurice Sendak, but the story had no movement or excitement. There are 4 repeats of the story and by the 4th I wanted to close the book.
The kids didn’t like the rabbit either. They were bored by the story and the ending had no excitement. The nephew, of course was interested in the creepy bunny a little and he gave this 3 stars while the niece gave this 1 star.
Simple story. A girl needs a gift for her mom’s birthday, so she asks the rabbit to help her come up with something. It felt a little repetitious to me. I was tired of both of them by the time this was over. I am not so much a fan of this one. Lovely art by Maurice Sendak, but the story had no movement or excitement. There are 4 repeats of the story and by the 4th I wanted to close the book.
The kids didn’t like the rabbit either. They were bored by the story and the ending had no excitement. The nephew, of course was interested in the creepy bunny a little and he gave this 3 stars while the niece gave this 1 star.
May 20, 2023
Nothing in any way earth shattering and with no real narrative tension and excitement (or even minor conflicts), Charlotte Zolotow's Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present features and shows simply and beautifully, descriptively an utterly sweet and charming back-and-forth dialogue between a rather serious (and perhaps even somewhat mildly introverted) little girl and her friend Mr. Rabbit (who is indeed a genuine bunny, but might also in fact be an imaginary and make-believe helper and companion) about what kind of present the little girl should get for her mother (for her mother's birthday). And after carefully considering a multitude of diverse objects that would in fact not make much sense as birthday gifts for Mom (coloured red, yellow, green and blue), the little girl and her rabbit companion finally decide on red apples, yellow bananas, green pears and blue grapes as a present (in other words, on a basket of fresh and delicious fruit).
Now aside from Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present simply being the tender and enchanting narrative of a little girl (with Mr. Rabbit's help, of course) finding the perfect (or perhaps rather a perfect) and indeed sweetly lovely fruit basket birthday present for the mother, the listing of diverse nouns of different colours (red, yellow, green and blue), and even though most of these diverse and various objects listed except for the four types of fruit end up not being suitable as birthday gifts, this all not only practices and reviews four of the main and most commonly encountered colours on the spectrum, but also trains and considers which objects are generally which colours (fire engines are red, the sun is yellow, spinach is green, lakes look blue etc.). And therefore, Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, while definitely and without a doubt first and foremost a story about gift-giving, about choosing a suitable and appropriate present for a loved one, for anyone, is also of much potential usage for basic colour instruction (for practicing four of the most commonly seen and encountered colours with young children and dividing nouns, objects into which colour shade they are).
Now as to Maurice Sendak's accompanying illustrations, they are for the most part and generally very much exquisite and as lovely and evocative as Charlotte Zolotow's text, her descriptive and evocative, but always simple and soothing printed words (esoteric, and delicately nuanced, especially the surrounding greenery and forest like atmosphere are a lovely and magical complement to the author's presented narrative, and I can well and completely understand why and how these illustrations won a Caldecott Honour designation for Maurice Sendak in 1963). However, on an entirely personal level, I do find the depiction of Mr. Rabbit a trifle too close to a European hare than an actual rabbit, as it is usually European hares which have the long ears and limbs by which Mr. Rabbit is illustrated (rabbits generally are much smaller and have very short limbs and ears), not enough for my sense of aesthetics to vehemently object, but from the title of the book itself, from Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, I did in fact and indeed originally expect more of a small bunny like rabbit with short ears and smaller, less gangling limbs.
Now aside from Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present simply being the tender and enchanting narrative of a little girl (with Mr. Rabbit's help, of course) finding the perfect (or perhaps rather a perfect) and indeed sweetly lovely fruit basket birthday present for the mother, the listing of diverse nouns of different colours (red, yellow, green and blue), and even though most of these diverse and various objects listed except for the four types of fruit end up not being suitable as birthday gifts, this all not only practices and reviews four of the main and most commonly encountered colours on the spectrum, but also trains and considers which objects are generally which colours (fire engines are red, the sun is yellow, spinach is green, lakes look blue etc.). And therefore, Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, while definitely and without a doubt first and foremost a story about gift-giving, about choosing a suitable and appropriate present for a loved one, for anyone, is also of much potential usage for basic colour instruction (for practicing four of the most commonly seen and encountered colours with young children and dividing nouns, objects into which colour shade they are).
Now as to Maurice Sendak's accompanying illustrations, they are for the most part and generally very much exquisite and as lovely and evocative as Charlotte Zolotow's text, her descriptive and evocative, but always simple and soothing printed words (esoteric, and delicately nuanced, especially the surrounding greenery and forest like atmosphere are a lovely and magical complement to the author's presented narrative, and I can well and completely understand why and how these illustrations won a Caldecott Honour designation for Maurice Sendak in 1963). However, on an entirely personal level, I do find the depiction of Mr. Rabbit a trifle too close to a European hare than an actual rabbit, as it is usually European hares which have the long ears and limbs by which Mr. Rabbit is illustrated (rabbits generally are much smaller and have very short limbs and ears), not enough for my sense of aesthetics to vehemently object, but from the title of the book itself, from Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, I did in fact and indeed originally expect more of a small bunny like rabbit with short ears and smaller, less gangling limbs.
March 22, 2018
I suppose this Caldecott Honor book is considered a classic, but it didn't really thrill me. A little girl and a large talking rabbit go in search of presents for the child's mother. There's a lot of talk about colors and fruit, and I'm not sure why. Children old enough to sit still for a book of this length usually already know their colors, so why hammer them over the head with the subject?
And, a rabbit the size of a girl? He's either imaginary, or been exposed to a radioactive carrot. Either way, I see this kid spending her adolescence in therapy.
And, a rabbit the size of a girl? He's either imaginary, or been exposed to a radioactive carrot. Either way, I see this kid spending her adolescence in therapy.
November 12, 2013
Kids, your mother really doesn't want a fruit basket for her birthday, unless she has scurvy.
Charlotte Zolotow's text, in which a little girl wants to give her mother a birthday present and needs help choosing something, is extremely dull, and Maurice Sendak's pictures are not bad, but I found Mr. Rabbit verging on creepy. Walking on two legs, wearing no clothes, suggesting to the little girl that she buy her mother red underwear, leaning on the little girl presumptuously - violating her personal space -
There's another picture where Mr. Rabbit sits atop a fence and looks at the reader with an expression that seems to say, "Get me out of this picture book." And in another, he lounges inappropriately on the forest floor, stretched out almost like a courtesan in a nineteenth century painting, his paw touching the little girl's skirt. It doesn't help that the contours of his body are those of a middle-aged man growing a beer belly.
At the end of this one I think every reader is breathing a sigh of relief that the little girl got through her day with Mr. Rabbit unmolested.
August 6, 2017
Ok, I *do* want a basket of fruit from my kids. And I wanted to like this story but it always felt a little squicky to me. Then I read the intelligent comments of my friend Gundula (Manybooks). And, among other praises and analyses, she pointed out that Mr. Rabbit may be an imaginary friend.
Well that makes so much sense to me now that I actually do feel comfortable loving the story now! As I said to her, by way of thanks:
"Hm. I never had the thought of Mr. Rabbit being an imaginary friend. That is so cool. I love the story much more from that perspective as the notion adds a layer of depth, and also because it removes a bit of a 'squick.'"
Well that makes so much sense to me now that I actually do feel comfortable loving the story now! As I said to her, by way of thanks:
"Hm. I never had the thought of Mr. Rabbit being an imaginary friend. That is so cool. I love the story much more from that perspective as the notion adds a layer of depth, and also because it removes a bit of a 'squick.'"
May 22, 2015
Rather repetitive but something tells me that the intended audience is not a middle-aged man. So, bravo, la niña pequeña!
June 4, 2013
Utterly charming! This book has so much charm, between the earnest, serious little girl looking for the perfect present for her mother and the helpful, comical, casual Mr. Rabbit. The pace of the book is entrancing, part suspenseful, part predictable, feels like sailing in a light summer breeze. I can see why children have loved this book for half a century.
"Something blue, maybe," said the little girl.
"Lakes are blue," said the rabbit.
"But I can't give her a lake, you know," said the little girl.
"Something blue, maybe," said the little girl.
"Lakes are blue," said the rabbit.
"But I can't give her a lake, you know," said the little girl.
April 22, 2015
1963 Caldecott Honor. Favorite Illustration: when the girl and the rabbit are in the meadow discussing the color blue. This is a sweet little story, but not anything that stands out to me. I do really like the aspect of the rabbit being bigger than the girl, making it clear that he is an imaginary helper.
September 17, 2014
The story is talking about a little girl who is concerned about her mother's birthday. She wants to make a gift for her mother, but she doesn't know what. She is meeting with Mr Rabbit, who helps her with ideas, and after a long search they finally find the real gift that will make her mother happy, including red apples, green pears, yellow bananas, and blue grapes. Having everything fixed in a basket, the girl made a lovely present to her mother.
I recommend this book to kids because its very interesting the way the conversation goes. Its a dialogue between the two of them, the little girl and Mr Rabbit, showing the roles of both of them. To every question there is a fitting response. This shows a real way to communicate. It also makes clear the colors associated with the fruits: red, green, yellow, blue. The pictures of the fruit and the emphasis put on the colors is advertising the correct way, for children, to eat. The book can be read simply by looking at the pictures, as the illustrator did not go away from the author's intention. Overall, kids can also learn how to prepare a precious gift for their loved ones, looking for what is the best.
I recommend this book to kids because its very interesting the way the conversation goes. Its a dialogue between the two of them, the little girl and Mr Rabbit, showing the roles of both of them. To every question there is a fitting response. This shows a real way to communicate. It also makes clear the colors associated with the fruits: red, green, yellow, blue. The pictures of the fruit and the emphasis put on the colors is advertising the correct way, for children, to eat. The book can be read simply by looking at the pictures, as the illustrator did not go away from the author's intention. Overall, kids can also learn how to prepare a precious gift for their loved ones, looking for what is the best.
November 10, 2022
I'm not sure why this won a Caldecott Honor. I clearly missed something. I found the narrative entirely repetitive and wordy (especially the dialogue between Mr. Rabbit and the Little Girl) and the tale fairly dull.
Ages: 3 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Ages: 3 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
June 16, 2013
What a joy to read this to our two little neighborhood girls tonight. It was a lovely evening and such fun to have their company.
A little girl asks a rabbit for help in choosing just the right birthday present for her mother.
As the rabbit provides ideas, the child rejects them until the last item. Knowing her mother likes red, she cannot give her a cardinal, a red roof or red underwear, but she can give her mother an apple.
As the reader journeys with the little girl through a spectrum of colors, the end result is a bananna for yellow, a pear for green and blue for grapes.
This is a gentle story of the love a daughter has for her mother in wanting to choose a very special gift.
I loved the gentle illustrations!
A little girl asks a rabbit for help in choosing just the right birthday present for her mother.
As the rabbit provides ideas, the child rejects them until the last item. Knowing her mother likes red, she cannot give her a cardinal, a red roof or red underwear, but she can give her mother an apple.
As the reader journeys with the little girl through a spectrum of colors, the end result is a bananna for yellow, a pear for green and blue for grapes.
This is a gentle story of the love a daughter has for her mother in wanting to choose a very special gift.
I loved the gentle illustrations!
November 23, 2017
• 1963 Caldecott Honor Book •
This book reminded me a tiny bit of the movie “Harvey” - a tall rabbit that’s maybe real or maybe imaginary and the whole thing is kind of odd (I do love the movie though). I thought the story dragged on, and the art is ok but not the usual outstanding Maurice Sendak work that I love. This is a decent book, but nothing earth shattering. Maybe instead of walking around with the creepy rabbit looking for a birthday gift for her mother, she should stay at home next time and draw her mother a picture or something.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
This book reminded me a tiny bit of the movie “Harvey” - a tall rabbit that’s maybe real or maybe imaginary and the whole thing is kind of odd (I do love the movie though). I thought the story dragged on, and the art is ok but not the usual outstanding Maurice Sendak work that I love. This is a decent book, but nothing earth shattering. Maybe instead of walking around with the creepy rabbit looking for a birthday gift for her mother, she should stay at home next time and draw her mother a picture or something.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
July 16, 2015
A little girl is looking for the perfect present for her mother and enlists the help of Mr. Rabbit. Someone suggested that Mr. Rabbit might be a pookah, I'm hoping so because otherwise he seems a bit creepy. As large as her, and walking around like a human? His first name better be Harvey...
Otherwise, I liked the intricate drawings, the solution for the present. I liked their dialogue with enough repetition to help a beginning reader to make the connection between word on the page and meaning. Overall it's a cute story once you get past that rabbit...
Otherwise, I liked the intricate drawings, the solution for the present. I liked their dialogue with enough repetition to help a beginning reader to make the connection between word on the page and meaning. Overall it's a cute story once you get past that rabbit...
October 5, 2017
Maurice Sendak has a way of making everything seem creepy and surreal. I love the text of this story, but could never really connect with the illustrations because the rabbit seems so otherworldly and frightening. Interestingly, though, I do think the story would be a nice, uncommon addition to a Mother’s Day story time. Despite my uneasiness about the illustrations, I might still try sharing it with kids this May.
February 14, 2013
The copy of this book that I read was published in 1962. The illustrations are wonderful and seem to be even older in the way that they are done. But, I do have to say that I found the Rabbit, (although helpful in the story) to be creapy looking. It has a slightly human face, that set me a little on edge in some of the illustrations.
But other than that it is a nice little book that has a pleasant story.
But other than that it is a nice little book that has a pleasant story.
March 17, 2008
Well, first off, despite being illustrated by the talented Maurice Sendak, I think the rabbit is rather freaky looking. But anyway.... this story is about a girl who wants to get a present for her mother. The rabbit helps her decide what to get. It starts out cute, but gets kind of tiresome as the rabbit repeatedly suggests presents and the girl rejects them.
May 13, 2015
Reading this so close to Mother's Day made it seem sweeter...a young girl really wants to give her mother a birthday gift. But she doesn't have money and doesn't know what to give. She seeks Mr. Rabbit's advice. The story is repetitive...my 6 year old was excited to point out the pattern. Nice illustrations. I liked the story, but wasn't absolutely wowed by it.
February 23, 2008
Master storyteller Charlotte Zolotow collaborates with brilliant illustrator Maurice Sendak for a charming book about a little girl who wants to give her mother a gift. This one is especially good for young children or new readers.
April 18, 2015
Wonderful story and pictures that are beautifully executed and with lovely colors. This one really is a keeper.
January 18, 2018
One of my favorites from my own childhood, wonderfully illustrated with lovely sentiment.
January 2, 2019
Wow, when the rabbit are thinking something red for the little girl’s mother, the rabbit thought of underwear,roofs,birds, fire engines！
October 21, 2018
I gave this book three stars because of the repetitive nature of the story. Although the story is intended for young readers and is very age appropriate, I found it to be to too predictable with a "let-down" ending. The premise of the story is that of a young girl seeking help from her rabbit friend to find the perfect birthday gift for her mother. The two search all over the woods for the perfect gift, and seemingly accomplish their mission. However, the story ends with the little girl waving goodbye to her rabbit friend from her front porch without us ever knowing the outcome of her gift-giving. Although the story was too predictable in my opinion, I did find it to be very age appropriate. Because the story is intended for children in the 3-7 age range, I liked the way that the author used the little girl's search for a present as a way to review colors and objects that fall under that color's category. For example, the little girl reveals that her mother loves the color red, so the rabbit begins listing objects that he knows to be red until she chooses an apple to be one of her presents. It provides children with a fun way to review their knowledge about colors while also exposing them to the nature of problem-solving.
I do think that this book is deserving of the 1963 Caldecott Honor that it received because of its skillful incorporation of general knowledge review and its beautiful illustrations. The age of the book is definitely revealed in the artwork by what the little girl is wearing, and by the illustrator's stylistic approach. Throughout the entire book, the pictures look like they have been painted with watercolors and appear to be splotchy and realistic. The colors are very natural and present a warm-toned feeling. The endpapers consist of splotches of the natural colors seen throughout the story to provide insight into the setting of the story, which takes place in the woods among the trees and the foliage. The front and back covers are the same image of the little girl and Mr. Rabbit conversing together in the middle of the woods. If I were to read this book to children, I would use it interactively. I would read the colors and the objects mentioned and then proceed to ask the children if they could think of any other objects of the same color. I think that this book is a fun way for children to review their knowledge of colors while also following the tale of a little girl and her rabbit friend!
I do think that this book is deserving of the 1963 Caldecott Honor that it received because of its skillful incorporation of general knowledge review and its beautiful illustrations. The age of the book is definitely revealed in the artwork by what the little girl is wearing, and by the illustrator's stylistic approach. Throughout the entire book, the pictures look like they have been painted with watercolors and appear to be splotchy and realistic. The colors are very natural and present a warm-toned feeling. The endpapers consist of splotches of the natural colors seen throughout the story to provide insight into the setting of the story, which takes place in the woods among the trees and the foliage. The front and back covers are the same image of the little girl and Mr. Rabbit conversing together in the middle of the woods. If I were to read this book to children, I would use it interactively. I would read the colors and the objects mentioned and then proceed to ask the children if they could think of any other objects of the same color. I think that this book is a fun way for children to review their knowledge of colors while also following the tale of a little girl and her rabbit friend!
November 20, 2017
Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, is about a young girl who has sweet and charming dialogue between her and her friend Mr. Rabbit (who is rather genuine and honest, and may infact be an imaginary friend). The little girl goes and finds her friend Mr. Rabbit to ask for help about what to get her mother for her birthday. They talk about all her favorite colors and think of things that they could get for her mom that are all those colors (red, yellow, green, and blue). Mr. Rabbit and the little girl decide on red apples, yellow bananas, green pears, and blue grapes as the perfect present for her mom. The beautifully simple illustrations in this story book align greatly with the descriptive text. This book would be a great book for a classroom library, and allow students to learn that it is ok to rely on others/ friends for help.
May 12, 2010
My son wasn't particularly interested in this book although it is very repetitive. Too repetitive, I thought, and not exciting at all. The pictures are beautiful, though. I especially like the pear tree.
February 8, 2008
one of my favorite books from when i was little - LOVE the drawings - especially the rabbit.
January 20, 2016
You couldn't pay me to go anywhere near Mr. Rabbit.
June 29, 2019
This one definitely needs to be read aloud with a child. Geared toward the kind of repetitive question/answer dialogue that can be so engaging for children. A young girl wonders what to give her mother for her birthday and she and Mr. Rabbit explore possible--and impossible--items based on color. Fun!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
December 17, 2020
A simple and sweet story of a little girl who gets help from a wise rabbit when she’s trying to find the perfect birthday present for her mom. The book’s best gift is Sendak’s beautifully charming illustrations. A- (91%/Excellent)
March 24, 2023
I get the reviews that said the rabbit is creepy, he is rather. Or more like, vaguely unsettling in visage and manner. But the book is interesting, and Mr. Rabbit vaguely eerie, so I liked it.
*one edit
*one edit
May 22, 2019
Hmm, wasn't impressed with this one. Very repetitive and kinda boring, to be honest.
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