review: Boo, Bunny!

Boo, Bunny! by Kathryn O. Galbraith. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. Harcourt, 2008 (978-0-15-21646-7) $16.00

The title of this book sets the stage well for the effective mix of spooky and cute it contains. It begins with "One shy bunny. One dark night" and the night is very dark indeed for the shy bunny--until it bumps into another shy bunny, and they discover how much easier it is to be brave with "two paws held tight." Short rhyming phrases create an evocative story: "One soft whoooooo! One loud booo! Jump. Bump! "Eeek! "Squeak!" The details are filled in by the acrylic illustrations, which give a sharply defined, tactile look to the two bunnies, making them look like favorite stuffed animals; the darkness of the night is accentuated by simple, bold shapes and lovely, ever-changing jewel toned colors. There's something about the book's visual aesthetic that doesn't entirely grab me, a overly gilded artificiality--but perhaps that helps provide a measure of distance from the spookiness. Overall, an appealing way to add to the Halloween atmosphere for young children. (3-6)

Other blog reviews:
Books for Kids by Frog Mom
Provo City Library Children's Book Review
Renee's Reading Corner