Pretty, Pretty Bunny

November 22, 2010
Horowitz's (Buy My Hats!) name on the cover is an instant tip-off that the titular character is in for a comeuppance. And indeed, the aptly named rabbit, Narcissa, who taunts her fellow woodland creatures with impunity ("Check out the crazy headgear," she says of the moose, who responds dejectedly, "Ya know... I'm standing right here"), finally hurls an insult at the wrong creature—a magical frog who gives her a taste of her own medicine. Horowitz's considerable comic skills have always been the main draw of his books, but unfortunately he's not in top form here. The text lacks his customary goofy Mad magazine–style wit—even Narcissa's barbs are pretty lame, calling a turtle a "bump on a log" and the frog "one ugly dude"—and the shaggy-dog resolution has the mark of an idea that ran out of steam. No one wants hugging and learning from this author, but at the very least there's the expectation of a zingy punch line. Ages 2–6.

March 1, 2011

Narcissa is a bunny with an issue: Arrogance and conceit are some descriptors that might fit the bill. She stares at herself in a mirror, compliments herself to nearby animals and insults the appearances of other creatures that are less attractive (in her immodest opinion). When she stops to admire her reflection in a pond (recalling the myth of Narcissus, with a nod to those who remember their classical mythology), she spies a clownish, warts-and-all frog. He kindly offers her one free wish, but when Narcissa responds with a characteristic insult, the frog puts an evil spell on the ungrateful rabbit. With this spell, each time Narcissa laughs, she acquires one physical trait from the animals she has insulted: a beaver's tail, a turtle's shell and a moose's antlers. Dejected by her altered appearance, Narcissa wishes she could start the day all over again, and—poof!—the final page repeats the first page, with Narcissa again admiring herself in her mirror. This open-ended conclusion allows for discussion or simply quiet reflection about what the vain little rabbit may have learned. At first glance, the story, much like Narcissa herself, seems lightweight and even shallow, but there are subtle and worthwhile lessons hidden within the humor and trendy figures of speech. Bold, cartoon-style illustrations use speech balloons and sound-effect phrases for added humor. (Picture book. 3-6)

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