The Runaway Bunny
by Margaret Wise Brown
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Book Summary Information
Author: Margaret Wise BrownBrand: Mudpuppy / Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Clement Hurd
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-01-18
ISBN: 0060775823
Number of pages: 48
Publisher: HarperCollins
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780060775827
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Runaway Bunny
Book Review: CLASSIC? YES. CONTROVERSIAL? APPARENTLY. DO I LIKE THIS ONE? YUP!
Summary: 5 Stars
Good Grief! (As one of my favorite cartoon characters Charlie Brown would say). I was quite familiar with this work as a very, very young child, read it to my children and indeed, to my grandchildren. Now I am probably living in a delusional state, I grant you that, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how this work possibly damaged any of the generations mentioned here! While as an adult I will admit that this is not my ,most favorite children's tale of all time, I do remember though that as a little one liking it a lot, and I can certainly report to you that my kids and grandkids like it also.
Basically, this is a story of a bunny that wants to runaway. This is a very common daydream for most small children. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this fantasy wish. Anyway, as the story unfolds, we find that with each move the bunny contemplates, his mother has a counter move. We find the mother always watching, weather she turns into a rock, a tree or several other things, she is always there; always watching over her baby bunny. In the end, the bunny decides; following his mother's logic, that he is quite well off right where he is at and his mom offers him a carrot.
After reading this story for a few hundred times, contemplating the negative and positive reviews here, I must admit that I am somewhat confused over the issues. Perhaps there was something in my upbringing that causes me to miss some of the negative issues expressed. I will say that I find myself in absolute complete agreement with one reviewer here, DR Clup, when he points out the obvious fact that the entire story of the Runaway Bunny is simply a warmed over child's version of Voltaire's `Candide." I would bet a six pack of Dr. Pepper that this is where the author came up with the idea of the story line.
Be that as it may, this work has not been out of print since it was first published in 1942. It is a much beloved book by many; bringing many fond childhood memories of being read to and it has obviously been passed on to multiple generation of young readers and listeners. I suppose the evolution of parenting philosophies over the years (they come and they go) may have something to do with the rejection of this work by some. I can remember my own mothers, who could have been a prototype for the mom rabbit is this story, was somewhat "different" than some of the other moms of her time. She used many of the same methods this mother used in managing me...I was what was and is considered a "difficult child."
I suppose this is one of those books that the parent probably should read and review before reading it to their child and if they find it disturbing or inappropriate, then simply remove it from your child's library. After all, at the age group this work is targeted for, it is ultimately the parent's responsibility to make these decisions. I personally found nothing wrong with the work and as a matter of fact, still find it delightful...but hey, that is just me!
NOTE: For the reviewer who objected to the fact that the author had the little bunnies doing unnatural bunny acts, i.e. swimming....When I was young I ran a pack of beagles; a large pack. Like their owner (me), they were neither particularly bright nor good at what they did, i.e. chase rabbits. They were rabbit chasing challenged. One of the myriad of tricks the rabbits use to play on them (almost in fun I think) was head for the water. I can assure you that a chased cottontail rabbit can swim like a fish when he or she chooses to do so. Many a time I had to fish the bewildered dogs out of the water as the bunny disappeared into the bush on the other side of a pond or creek.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Summary of The Runaway Bunny
A little bunny keeps runningaway from his mother in an imaginative and imaginary game of verbal hide-and-seek; children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.
The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.
Since its publication in 1942, The Runaway Bunny has never been out of print. Generations of sleepy children and grateful parents have loved the classics of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, including Goodnight Moon. The Runaway Bunny begins with a young bunny who decides to run away: "'If you run away,' said his mother, 'I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'" And so begins a delightful, imaginary game of chase. No matter how many forms the little bunny takes--a fish in a stream, a crocus in a hidden garden, a rock on a mountain--his steadfast, adoring, protective mother finds a way of retrieving him. The soothing rhythm of the bunny banter--along with the surreal, dream-like pictures--never fail to infuse young readers with a complete sense of security and peace. For any small child who has toyed with the idea of running away or testing the strength of Mom's love, this old favorite will comfort and reassure. (Baby to preschool)
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