What the World Could Make

April 15, 2021
Two lagomorph friends rejoice in the beauteous gifts of the four seasons. Rabbit and Bunny, the former white and the latter white with pale brown splotches, gaze in wonder at a snowfall. The two are just a small part of a wintry double-spread vista of white flakes against a blue background. Green-scarfed Bunny wants the snow to be ingrained in his memory. Red-scarfed Rabbit presents Bunny with a gift--a large snowball that Bunny calls a "gift from the heart [made] from a gift from the sky." Spring brings scented and colorful lilacs, and Bunny fashions a floral crown for Rabbit. It is another "gift from the heart," this one made "from a gift from the earth." Summer arrives and with it, green and salty sea pickles that they call a gift "from the sun and the sea and the sand." Autumn unfolds with a carpet of ginkgo leaves heaped into a pile perfect for play. The two good pals joyfully exult in yet another bounty of the world in this gentle tale of sharing and seasonal splendor. The delicate pen-and-ink illustrations complement the spare text with delicate settings. The two friends go unclothed except for scarves in winter but walk on their hind feet and hold paws; the expressive cants of their ears deftly communicate emotions. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by 17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 49.7% of actual size.) Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet. (Picture book. 2-4)

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May 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 Bunny and Rabbit are friends who experience the wonders of nature over the course of one year. Each season brings gifts the two besties enjoy together: snow that silently falls in winter, lilac blossoms beautifying every spring, delicious sea pickles that arrive in summer, and the ginkgo tree's golden leaves in the fall, providing piles of jumping fun. As they share the seasons and what they have to offer, the two either give a gift to each other or simply delight in the beauty that the sky and the earth bestow. Illustrations, created with pen and ink and Photoshop, depict Rabbit as white and freckled, wearing an orange monogrammed scarf in the winter, while Bunny is spotted and sports a green scarf. Snow-laden spruce trees, lush purple lilacs, and bright green sea pickles fill the pages with color and beauty. An engaging picture book that encourages readers to take time to notice, appreciate, and remember the beauty around us.

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