Picture book review on MY FRIEND RABBIT

Bibliography
Rohmann, Eric.2002. MY FRIEND RABBIT. Scholastic, Inc. New York, New York. ISBN 0439579309

Plot Summary
In this Caldecott Award Winning Picture Book a story of true friendship emerges. As rabbit gets in to trouble and even makes other animals unhappy with him Mouse stands by his side. Mouse even sees the good in Rabbit and continues to join in on adventures.

Critical Analysis
I think this book is probably classified as a wordless picture book even thought there are a few sentences in it. The pictures alone tell the story. There is not a whole lot of story line in this book. If it weren’t for the pictures this book would not be nearly as cute as it is with the illustrations. Realism is used with the illustrations. The think lines that Eric Rohmann used add some abstract qualities to the pictures. The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful. Shading is used throughout the book to give dimension to the illustrations.
Pre-k and kindergarten students will love the story, humorous pictures, and bright pictures in this book.

Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist: “Tremendous physical humor delivers a gentle lesson about accepting friends as they are.”
School Library Journal: “The text is minimal; it's the illustrations that are the draw here.”
Publishers Weekly: “This gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings.”

Connections
*This book is great for teaching young children about being a good friend.
*This book could be used to talk about having friends but not always doing things that are going to get you into trouble.
*This book has a unique set of illustrations. Gather other Caldecott winners and have readers compare the different illustrations in award winners.
Lobel, Arnold. DAYS WITH FROG AND TOAD. ISBN 0064440583
Marshall, James. GEORGE AND MARTHA. ISBN 0590098446