PreS-K–The cover shows a grumpy goat glowering at a small defenseless bunny. The endpapers set up readers further with images of vegetables with clear bites out of each of them. Then the story. Farmer Derwood takes gardening very seriously. He digs, hoes, seeds, waters, and waits for his garden to grow. All the while, a curious little bunny, Tabitha, watches as he works. Spying a dandelion, Derwood approaches only to find it is a cottontail attached to Tabitha. He knows that the bunny will want veggies from the garden. How can she get anything, though, with Derwood’s suspicious eyes always watching her? Each time Tabitha comes to visit, she throws a spoonerism or two into the conversation. Instead of “let us” she says “lettuce.” Or “stalk” for “walk.” Instead of “I am,” she says, “I yam.” Wordplay and a surprising plot twist will keep children engaged in this lovely book. The author upends all Peter Rabbit–like expectations with an unforeseen friendship and a shared dinner. Expressive illustrations show every endearing nibble toward deténte.
VERDICT These respectful friends have come a long way, in a compelling story of preconceived notions turned on their heads. For everyone.
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