Betty Bunny Didn't Do It

Starred review from January 14, 2013
“Blaming someone else for something she had done was such a good idea, Betty Bunny didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before.” Yes, Betty Bunny is still a “handful” in her third picture book, in which she breaks a lamp and tries to cover up the crime. Kaplan and Jorisch are as skilled as ever at detailing the barely contained chaos of a household full of big personalities, as well as the sense of logic, injustice, and self-interest that drives Betty Bunny’s outlook. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Wanda Nowak Creative Illustrators Agency.

January 1, 2013
An inventive plot and charming illustrations depict an irrepressible main character who continues to be quite a handful: Betty Bunny does it again. In her third starring role in this successful series, Betty Bunny breaks a lamp when she plays with her ball in the house. Her misdeed leads to a string of lies that are laugh-out-loud funny, as she blames both her lying and the broken lamp on the Tooth Fairy. Her imaginative excuses will amuse both children and adults with their humor and creativity. Once again, Kaplan captures the humorous dynamics of a large family, with subtle lessons about tattling, truth-telling and saving the feelings of others by not stating the truth if it will hurt someone's feelings. Though the patient parents explain the rules about truth-telling, the text is never preachy or moralistic. Betty Bunny's innocent, intelligent personality is captivating; she's naughty but lovable all at the same time, just like a real child. Jorisch's enchanting watercolor illustrations capture Betty's bouncy behavior and her family's reactions with delightful flair, from the carrot-shaped hair ornament on Betty Bunny's head to the hint of a mustache on the teenage brother's suitably snide upper lip. Betty Bunny is a handful: a strong heroine who makes readers laugh as she learns a little more with each addition to the series. (Picture book. 3-7)

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February 1, 2013

K-Gr 1-When each family member is too busy to play ball, Betty's unguided energy leads to a broken vase and lamp. Her siblings offer advice, like hiding under the rug. Instead Betty blames each mishap on the tooth fairy and a very heavy bag of baby teeth. When she discovers that her confession makes her mother proud, the rabbit begins to admit to even imaginary offenses, like bank robbery. When she finally understands it's the truth that's valued, she then needs to learn tact since her first truth is to inform Daddy Bunny that he stinks after working out at the gym. The exuberant youngster bounces across pages masterfully detailed in pencil, ink, watercolor, and gouache. This third Betty Bunny book continues to delight. A single caution: brother Bill warns, "Mom is going to kill you"; in some households, that is not acceptable language.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

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