First-Grade Bunny

May 1, 2005
K-Gr 1 -"Bunny" sets out as a reassuring story about Reza's fear of the new class pet, a bunny. A disquieting dream about being chased by a monster rabbit while in his underpants only reinforces his fear. Mrs. Conner, his sensitive teacher, allows him to make a picture of the bunny (instead of actually helping care for it) as a class job. The story ends on a hopeful note that perhaps, in the future, Reza will be able to pet the bunny. The text is serviceable with routine cartoon illustrations. However, the purpose of this book is to offer "an increased vocabulary and longer sentences for children who are just starting to read." Increasing a child's vocabulary entails repetition, not merely introduction, of new words. Here, they are introduced only once. The most repeated words are a name, Sparky, or common words, such as "said" and "was." Connections to larger programs, such as Literacy Collaborative, would enhance the usefulness of these books in the larger picture of learning to read. -"Phyllis M. Simon, Bay Shore School District, NY"

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