FICTION

Lord and Lady Bunny—Almost Royalty!

Lord and Lady Bunny—Almost Royalty! illus. by Sophie Blackall. 304p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Feb. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780307980656. LC 2012027442.
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Gr 3–6—The indomitable Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, nine-year-old Madeleine, and her lackadaisical parents unexpectedly run into one another aboard a ship bound for England. How did this happen? Well, Mrs. Bunny decided she wanted to be queen, and Madeleine's father, Flo, credits a mysterious box of Pop Tarts and the "synchronicity of the universe." It's a long story, but just as ridiculous, wacky, and humorous as Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, Detectives Extraordinaire (Random, 2012). This romp has even less plot than the first, relishing in its own absurdity and remarkable coincidences, to the point that Mrs. Bunny even meets her translator (Horvath) at a book signing and discovers that the human author has been taking credit for Mrs. Bunny's first book. This sequel does not stand alone, but is guaranteed to delight anyone who loved the forward-driving action and vivacious wit of these good-hearted, unique characters the first time around.—Rhona Campbell, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC
In this meticulously crafted sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Bunny--Detectives Extraordinaire!, Madeline wants to save enough money for college; Mrs. Bunny, done with sleuthing, wants to be queen. Somehow these two radically different desires result in both of them taking an ocean liner across the Pond (Madeline's parents have serendipitously inherited a sweet shoppe in England). Much inspired lunacy and madcap adventure ensues.
In this funny, meticulously crafted sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Bunny--Detectives Extraordinaire! (rev. 1/12), young Madeline desperately wants to save enough money for college; Mrs. Bunny, done with sleuthing, desperately wants to be queen. Somehow these two radically different desires result in both of them taking an ocean liner across the pond--along with Mr. Bunny (natch), Mrs. Treaclebunny (self-invited), Madeline's school friend Katherine, and Madeline's parents (who have serendipitously inherited a sweet shoppe in England). As in the first book, Horvath includes plenty of satire (overly energetic scrapbooking moms; royals and their loyal followers; people who leave their money to cats); winks at children's literature (Horvath herself makes a bitingly funny appearance, at a book-signing seated next to Oldwhatshername, the elegant and svelte author of a ten-pound fantasy book); and, again, more lunacy than you can shake a carrot at: "'Mrs. Bunny went to Bunnycostycost and brought home seventeen cartons of Frosted Flakes just for the box tops. She didn't even check first to see if Mr. Bunny liked Frosted Flakes.' 'Oh well, it made excellent mulch,' said Mrs. Bunny faintly." One can only hope that Mr. and Mrs. B. have loads more madcap adventures to share with audiences--both bunny and human. Final art unseen. jennifer m. brabander

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