PPBF: The Country Bunny

Author: Du Bose Heyward
Illustrator: Marjorie Flack
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 1939,1967
Age Level: 4-8
Themes: Easter, rabbits
Opening: We hear of the Easter Bunny who comes each Easter Day before sunrise to bring eggs for boys and girls, so we think there is only one. But this is not so.
Summary: To the surprise of many, the little country cottontail becomes one of the special Easter bunnies even though she has twenty-one children of her very own. (You go, girl!)

Why I like this book: This story is about a new Easter bunny, one of five that deliver the eggs. No, not really. It’s the story of a simple little girl determined to achieve her dream. She plans well, and with patience and wisdom earns the chance to prove herself  – and her bravery. On the back of my edition there is a quote: It’s difficult to believe that this very modern feminist tale was originally written in 1939…A gem of a fantasy. – Learning. But is it so very difficult? I am certain there were women as wise, patient and brave as Little Cottontail Mother (like my grandmother) for Heyward to use as a role model . But maybe there were not as many wise or brave publishers. Oh, and by the way, the illustrations are AWESOME!
Resources/Activities: check out the art projects, performance, and writing activities from April Sanders, eHow contributor – HERE; read  another classic, The Story About Ping which Marjorie Flack wrote, but was illustrated by Kurt Wiese.

Read a New Yorker article on The Country Bunny’s history HERE

For more PPBF picks, go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog – HERE