Available on Tuesday, March 6, 2018
My daughter, Bella, has a new favorite book that she has been having us read to her every night at bedtime called The Backup Bunny. We received it to review as part of a book blog hop, which my blog is the last stop on the book tour. When I first showed my girls this new children's book (releasing on March 6th, 2018), they both said, "Oh, look how cute the bunny is," when looking at the cover art. And, when we sat down to read the book for the first time, both of the stayed engaged from start to finish. We did stop to linger and admire the beautiful illustrations done by Greg Stones, which really bring the story to life. Here is more about this cute book, which will warm the hearts of both children and adults, and become an instant favorite, like it has in our house...
Synopsis:
"Everybody needs a backup plan, especially when you lose your favorite toy.
When Max loses his favorite toy—Bunny—his clever mom brings out the "backup bunny"—Fluffy—to save the day. Fluffy is thrilled to have the chance to play with Max, but is soon rejected by the observant child who notices that his ears are too new and perky.
Can Fluffy find a way into his favorite boy's heart?"
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 3
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: NorthSouth Books (March 6, 2018)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0735842825
- ISBN-13: 978-0735842823
- Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 11 inches
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My Thoughts:
Like I said, this has become a favorite bedtime book in our house, especially with my 6 year old daughter, Bella. When I first read this book to them, they could relate to the story, as both of my girls have had a beloved plush that has meant the world to them, like this little boy's bunny. When Savannah was 2 and 3 years old, she couldn't put down her Jesse plush doll from the Toy Story movies. Knowing how much she loved the doll, I made a point to pick up a couple extras as I knew that if she ever lost the doll or forgot it somewhere, she would be devastated. But, I couldn't let her know that I had picked up replacements, so just like the mother in this book, I hid them in a drawer, out of sight from the girls. Bella also had a beloved plush elephant that she fell in love with, and that I had to buy replacements to store away. What us parents do to make sure our kids are happy, right? :-)
After reading this cute story, which is narrated by the replacement bunny, Fluffy, both of my girls started talking about how they lost their favorite toy and how I had a replacement one ready. We couldn't help but laugh, as there were so many similarities from the story to the incidences of how the girls lost their favorite plush and how they knew that the replacement ones I gave them weren't their original one. Unlike the book, however, I never let on that they were given a replacement. Instead, I kept trying to tell them that this was the one they lost...but, they knew better. It wasn't until a couple years ago that the girls were looking for something and wound up in one of my dresser drawers. There they found another Jesse doll and elephant plush, brand new with tags laying under some sweaters. It was at that moment that things clicked with them and I was found out. They brought the replacement toys to me and asked what they were doing there. I had to tell them that I needed to have an extra in case they ever lost their favorite "friend" as I knew they would be devastated. And, the few times they did lose or misplace them, I saved the day with the replacements I had picked up. Yes, it took a little warmer up to the replacement ones as they knew something was off and didn't have the same wear or smell they were used to, but they ended up loving their replacements all the same.
Knowing that I had replacement toys like the mommy in the book, made the girls smile and giggle. The girls wanted me to read this book to them at bedtime the first night we got the book in the mail. And, when I was ready to snuggle up in bed with them, they surprised me with their backup "friends" they kept. Even though they have moved on to new favorite toys, the elephant and Jesse doll still hold special places in my girls' hearts, and we all have many fond memories of the girls growing up and loving them and toting them around every where they went. I smiled as the girls held their old favorites close again, as we settled in to read "The Backup Bunny" for a second time. The girls really enjoyed the book, and I found myself falling in love with the cute story, especially with how it was told by the replacement bunny. And, from that day forward, the girls continue to ask my husband or I to read this book as part of their bedtime book routine. They can't get enough of it, and we love reading it to them. It has become a staple at bedtime, and one book we will continue to read until the girls grow tired of it...which I don't see happening any time soon. Thanks to the this book, their "old" favorite friends have returned to their bed, and are snuggled and loved once again. It is nice to see the girls loving on their toys again and talking to each other about how much fun they used to have playing with them and all the fun things and places they went together.
If you are looking for a fun book to share with your child at bedtime, why not consider picking up a copy of "The Backup Bunny" when it arrives in stores Tuesday, March 6th. Once you read this book with your child, you will see why my family and other who have had a chance to review the book in advance of the book's release, have fallen in love with it. I can't wait to pick up additional books from the author, Abigail Rayner, to share with my girls We really enjoyed her writing style, and this story in particular is fun and will warm your heart.
Enter to Win a Copy of The Backup Bunny Now!!!
Act fast as the deadline for this contest is Tuesday, March 6th.
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About the Author:
Abigail Rayner was born in England where they have lots of history and rain. When she grew up, she became a reporter and moved to New York, where she was encouraged to write stories, but not the made-up kind. These days she lives in New Jersey, with her wonderful husband, two brilliant kids, two terrible cats, and one cute puppy. She never gets in trouble for making up stories, although she is subject to the occasional eye roll from the cats.
About the Illustrator:
Greg Stones majored in studio art at Bates College, where he learned to paint photo-realistically, and was the cartoonist for the school paper. Two years after graduating, be began combining his pretty landscapes with his cartooning skills—adding penguins, zombies, and now bunnies to his work. He is creator of the illustrated book Zombies Hate Stuff.
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
Such a great idea for a story! I wished I had a backup bunny since my childhood Boing Boing is so worn out.
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