Tom Crean's Rabbit

by Meredith Hooper, Bert Kitchen (Illustrations)

It’s very cold in Antarctica, and the Terra Nova is crowded with both men and animals. Tom the sailor is looking for a quiet and cozy place for his pet rabbit to have her babies. From high in the rigging to down in the hold, the crewman takes readers all through the ship while he searches for a spot where his rabbit can make her nest.

Based on the diaries of men who sailed to the South Pole on board the Terra Nova in 1910 with Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Tom Crean's Rabbit introduces the historic voyage to young readers. Kitchen’s stunning illustrations capture the magnificence of the Antarctic landscape and notes in the back of the book provide more information about the expedition and detail the adventures of the book’s hero.

Genres: Picture Books, Geography, History

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Meredith Hooper uses the storybook form in Who Built the Pyramid? to make the latest research accessible for a young audience. Meredith Hooper is an historian by training and the author of many books, ranging in subject from Antarctica to aviation, from the history of water to the history of inventions.
Hooper, born in 1939, graduated in history from the University of Adelaide, then studied imperial history at Oxford.

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Very simple story, the sort that's been told many times before - but in a unique, fascinating, and real true setting. Pretty pictures.

[Elaine Mullane || Elaine and the Books]

When Finn was born, my husband and I started a thing that whenever we went somewhere with Finn - on holidays, a day trip, a new place - we would buy him a book and inscribe the inside cover. Earlier this week, we went on a three-day break to Co. Kerry and stopped in the small village Annascaul, where sailor and explorer Tom Crean was born. While in the nearby town of Dingle, we picked up this book for Finn.

Tom Crean's Rabbit is the story of the ship Terra Nova and its journey through Antarctica. On board, Tom is looking for a quiet, warm and cosy place for his pet rabbit. This is an enjoyable tale of the sailors on the ship, as well as an informative read that will delight and inspire little ears. The illustrations are wonderful and I loved the extra snippets of information at the back of the book about Tom Crean. Finn already loves the outdoors so I am sure he'll love hearing about the adventures of one of Ireland's most famous explorer as he gets older. A lovely book.

[Sandy]

Uneventful. My daughter was disappointed in this picture book. Based on a true story, it had very little information about the Antarctic voyage (other than what animals were on board). Might be a good read for kids who like animals, but for those looking for facts, look elsewhere.

[Rand]

My dad read this book to me before I could read. It was lovely, and the illustrations are beautiful and very comforting.

[Melanie Gaum]

I recently finished The Worst Journey In The World, The Graphic Novel, Volume 1: Making Our Easting Down, so it was nice to see the Terra Nova and crew again.

[Dianna]

Set in 1910 on Christmas Day. Based on a diary entry by Antarctic Explorer
Robert Scott. A rabbit on board ship gives birth to 17 babies. Add this sweet picture book in when learning about Explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott.

[Trish]

This is the story about a bunny on a journey to the antarctic.

[Phillip Ebenuwah]

b ddgzfbfcf

[Sally]

An interesting story being historically based but I would have liked a bit more background information included.

[user8364891664]

This beautifully illustrated book is a practical way to educate children on rabbit husbandry. It’s also a lovely tribute to Tom Crean, by all accounts a man who sincerely loved animals.

[Brian Drew]

This book is a true story about a rabbit that was on a ship and needed a warm place to stay. The captain searched everywhere and finally found the perfect place for it, and then it had 17 babies.

I like this book because the captain kept persisting and trying to find the perfect spot for this little rabbit

I would use this in my classroom to teach about the tough times of sailors on the open water.

[Taylor]

this book is about a voyage to Antarctica in 1910. in the opening of the book tom, held the rabbit and tried to warm it up. they stop by where the cat and the parrot slept but there was no room for the rabbit. tom was looking so hard he wouldn't help any body until he found the rabbit a place. after looking all over the boat he found the rabbit a nest. the next time tom went and checked on the rabbit she had 17 baby's with her. in the end toms expedition was cut short due to an ill sailor he had to save.

this is a good book, it has detailed illustrations and is very eye catching.

I would use this book to teach my students about the history of exploring, and to show that you should always help someone or something when their in need.

[Jim]

turns out there isn't a goodreads catagory for "true stories of apparently sane sailors that take pet rabbits to antartica." well written and illustrated a v. strange story. you'll learn about scott's voyage.

spoiler of the good kind, the bunny isn't baked. this isn't old yeller.

just realized why i checked this out, meredith hooper did a fantastic book about the nights in museums.

[Tricia]

My young son loves this story and it's beautifully written with great illustrations. It gives us a taste to read more about this amazing man