A Very Big Bunny

December 7, 2009
Russo's tale about unlikely friends executes a familiar theme with abundant charm and humor. Lanky Amelia, who closely resembles the bunnies in Russo's The Bunnies Are Not in Their Beds
, towers over her classmates, which presents problems on the playground. Fellow students won't swing the jump rope high enough for Amelia; her feet are too big for hopscotch; and “the seesaw was out of the question.” When tiny Susannah joins the class, the others dismiss her as too small, and she turns to Amelia for company. But Amelia stubbornly resists the newcomer's overtures, until Susannah devises a plan to salvage dreaded school picture day. She and Amelia don funky homemade tiaras and jewelry, and they bond for good (even solving the seesaw conundrum). Featuring a saturated palate, Russo's matte gouache illustrations amplify the snappy storytelling (Susannah's innate spunkiness comes through as she hangs from a chain link fence, contrasting with Amelia's hunched surliness and pencil-thin frown). These and other wry flourishes—like the pairs of bunny ears protruding from behind a bush as the friends get fancy—should generate smiles. Ages 4–8.

February 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 2-Amelia is self-conscious about her height, and her classmates reinforce her feelings of being different by refusing to play with her. She is alone on the playground until Susannah, a new student who is very short and also unpopular because of height, tries to befriend her. Amelia remains stand-offish until news of an upcoming Picture Day (with the teacher's admonition, "I expect you to look your very best!") throws her into a funk. It is Susannah who comes to her rescue with a self-esteem-boosting secret that has the two bunnies sashaying in, bedecked in necklaces, and fancied up from ear to toe with homemade doodads. The duo realize their differences really don't matter and become fast friends. Russo's characteristic childlike gouache art serves the story well, and the bunnies' ears help to express a range of emotions all their own. The tale will resonate especially with youngsters who feel left out."Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2009
Preschool-G Amelia the bunny knows all too well that its hard to be different. Despite her parents well-meaning assurances, the bunny finds her sizable stature a burden. On the playground, her classmates protest that she is too big to play with the other bunnies, so she spends recess alone. Then one day, Susannah, a pint-size bunny with pluck to spare, arrives in class. Her new classmates claim Susannahs diminutive size prevents her from playing with them, too, but that doesnt stop the spirited newcomer from seeking out a friend in Amelia and winning her over with a plan to make the two bunnies stand out in an entirely new way. Imbued with charming details that reward close inspection, Russos vivid gouache illustrations are a lively counterpart to the texts refreshingly real-life tone and spot-on dialogue and classroom situations. A rewarding title for discussions on fitting in, bullying, and accepting and appreciating differences.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)