Wilson and Miss Lovely

Starred review from July 13, 2009
Wilson, an ingenuous young rabbit, can hardly contain his enthusiasm for his new teacher, Miss Lovely. One rainy morning, as Wilson gets ready for school, a fold-out flap reveals a green foot with sharp claws (“Wilson, however, was not the only one up and about!”). As Wilson waits for the no-show school bus and later arrives at an ominously empty school, additional flaps ratchet up the suspense: “Yet, not so very far away, something else could be seen quite clearly. Closer, closer, and closer it came!” Not for those nervous about their first days of class, but the surprise conclusion delivers a big payoff. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2009
K-Gr 2-A mix of humor and suspense drives this rather improbable story. A bunny named Wilson has attended school for a week, and he loves his teacher so much that he lies in bed at night waiting to go to school. When morning arrives, he jumps out of bed and rushes to get ready while his family is still asleep. A flap opens to reveal a big green foot with claws, and below it the text reads, "Wilson, however, was not the only one up and about!" Finished with breakfast, the rabbit leaves the house and waits alone (he imagines) for the school bus, and when it does not come, he runs to school. After sitting quietly at his desk in an empty classroom, Wilson gets up and conducts the arithmetic, reading, and science lessons. Meanwhile, behind additional flaps, the mysterious green being is gradually emerging. The cartoon illustrations depict an expressive Wilson (who soon discovers that it is Saturday), and a reassuring picture concludes the story with the monster, revealed to be Miss Lovely, carrying a happy Wilson home on her tail. Children will enjoy the silliness."Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.