36. Board book: Richard Scarry's Bunnies

 

36. Board book: Richard Scarry's Bunnies. Richard Scarry. 1976/2025. 26 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, bunnies, board book]

First sentence: The cottontail rabbit has a little white tail. Bunnies love to eat the cabbage...in Farmer Brown's garden. Some rabbits have GIANT ears...and some have tiny ones. The snowshoe hare changes the color of his coat to white in the winter...and to brown in the summer.

Premise/plot: Richard Scarry's Bunnies is a classic Golden Book newly republished in board book format. Each two-page spread shares another detail about bunnies...or rabbits. There really is not a cohesive narrative. 

My thoughts: I love Richard Scarry. I do. I grew up with Richard Scarry books. For that reason I will always enjoy rereading these when they're republished. I LOVE all the bunny illustrations. I do. I think parents (guardians, loved ones, etc.) can read these books slowly and talk about the illustrations and the text.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

50. Don't Forget the Bacon

Don't Forget the Bacon. Pat Hutchins. 1976/1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Six farm eggs, a cake for tea, a pound of pears, and don’t forget the bacon.

Premise/plot: Originally published in 1976, Don’t Forget The Bacon chronicles a young boy’s trip to and from the store. Will he remember everything on his mom’s list?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It is both predictable and delightful. I didn’t love, love, love the illustrations. Probably they date the book more than anything else. But the text is timeless and classic.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Total: 8/10

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Frog and Toad All Year

Frog and Toad All Year. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1976. HarperCollins. 64 pages.

Frog knocked at Toad's door. "Toad, wake up," he cried. "Come out and see how wonderful the winter is!" "I will not," said Toad. "I am in my warm bed." "Winter is beautiful," said Frog. "Come out and have fun." "Blah," said Toad. "I do not have any winter clothes." Frog came into the house. "I have brought you some things to wear," he said. Frog pushed a coat down over the top of Toad. Frog pulled snowpants up over the bottom of Toad. He put a hat and scarf on Toad's head. "Help!" cried Toad. "My best friend is trying to kill me!" "I am only getting you ready for winter," said Frog. 

I love Frog and Toad. I do. Do you?! Are you more like Toad or Frog?! This collection includes five stories--all season-themed stories--"Down the Hill," "The Corner," "Ice Cream," "The Surprise," and "Christmas Eve."

"Down the Hill," the winter-story of the collection, has Frog and Toad out in the snow. Sledding may be fun, Toad admits, but he can't help feeling that BED IS MUCH BETTER!

"The Corner," the spring-story of the collection, has Frog sharing words of wisdom from his father. Something about how spring is around the corner. This made the young Frog curious because which corner is spring around?! So he sets out to find it!

"Ice Cream," the summer-story of the collection, has Toad bringing his best friend some ice cream. But the trip back to Frog, back to the pond, doesn't go according to plan! And ice cream can be a bit messy and sticky. Will these two friends be able to enjoy some delicious ice cream?!

"The Surprise" the autumn-story of the collection, has Frog and Toad 'surprising' each other. Toad rushes to Frog's house to rake his leaves. Frog rushes to Toad's house to rake his leaves. But the wind may have the last laugh! Good thing these friends will never know!

"Christmas Eve" is a holiday story of course! Frog was supposed to come to Toad's house for a big dinner. But. Frog is late. Toad begins to worry and worry and worry. Where is his friend?! Where could he be?! Did something happen to him?! Does Frog need to be saved?! Frog arrives finally with present in hand. He was late because he was wrapping Toad's present. A peaceful Christmas is theirs at last.

I enjoyed this collection. While it isn't quite as magical as Frog and Toad Together, I would still recommend it!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers