January 15, 2023
Bunnies welcome a new season. This rhyming board book shows rabbits exploring spring with its newly blooming flowers and greeting hibernating animals who are slowly waking up. The text follows the bouncing format of the childhood classic "I'm a Little Teapot," which gives it an energetic feeling and sets a steady pace for turning pages. For the most part, this structure successfully follows the original, but some stanzas may take a reading or two to master the flow. The illustrations feature three different bunnies with expressive faces. In one image, a bunny is shown midhop with abundant joy. Whether it's the warm breeze blowing leaves and the bunny's ears or swirls of water in a rushing stream, there is an effective sense of movement. There are nice details, too: a line of ants crawling out of their hill, a snoozing owl, a tiny spider dangling from its thread. The story is simple enough; as the bunnies observe the signs of spring, so do readers. Similar board books abound, and though this one doesn't stand out, it's sweet and likely to hold little ones' attention. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An adorable, though familiar, title to help the littlest readers get excited for springtime. (Board book. 0-2)
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March 13, 2023
Spring has sprung, and a trio of fluffy young bunnies makes sure everybody knows it in this I’m a Little title, which offers a seasonal spin on the children’s song “I’m a Little Teapot.” Each of the rabbits emerges from a burrow, hopping over verdant hills through a rainbow of blossoms, bugs, birds, and butterflies, and calling attention to itself and a favorite aspect of spring’s arrival: Eliot’s loose singsong lines include “I’m a little bunny,/ soft and sweet./ I spot some clover./ Oh, what a treat!” Plants and animal friends abound in Brizzi’s sunny cartoon scenes, giving readers plenty to explore in a perky peek at some of the season’s natural delights, which offers up an enthusiastic “HAPPY SPRING/ TO ONE AND ALL.” Ages up to 3.