Taking Care of Mama Rabbit

The family from Lobel's 10 Hungry Rabbits is back. Mama Rabbit is sick in bed, so one at a time the little rabbits bring her small palliative items: a fresh scented handkerchief, a cup of hot chocolate, a book. Vibrant colors in a lush palette send a reassuring message of cheer and optimism, and the small trim size is just right for the intimate story.

The ten little rabbit siblings from Lobel's 10 Hungry Rabbits (rev. 1/12) are back, once again working toward a common goal. This time, Mama Rabbit is sick and needs care. With Papa Rabbit off fetching her medicine, the little rabbits spring into action. One at a time, they bring her small palliative items: a fresh scented handkerchief, a cup of hot chocolate, a flower, a ribbon, a book. As in the first book, the page layout follows a pattern: a small oval inset of each little rabbit finding or preparing his or her item sits above a larger rectangular picture of Mama sick in bed. As the gifts accumulate and the pages turn, Mama looks progressively better and better, until by the end she doesn't even need Papa's medicine ("Our darling rabbits have made me all better without it") and is so well she hops out of bed to watch the show the kids put on, complete with top hats and carrots, in the living room. Vibrant colors in a typically lush palette send a reassuring message of cheer and optimism, and the small trim size is just right for the intimate story. martha v. parravano