Those Pesky Rabbits

Bear is happy living on his own, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to bother him. So, when a family of rabbits move in next door, you can understand why he gets a little cross.

Pretty soon, those pesky rabbits are on his doorstep, asking to borrow honey, for help to chop wood, if Bear would like to swap books ...

And bear, in no uncertain roars, tells them to leave him alone. So they do.

Until ...
Those pesky rabbits show him that being kind and welcoming and enjoying the company of others, is not so bad after all.

This is a gorgeous picture book with a really well-crafted and clever storyline. Simple yet plump with meaning, its messaging is subtle, beautifully-done, and so well appreciated by this avid picture book reader. Let's just say, Ciara Flood has got it right.

Then there's the illustrations--just beyond luscious. So much so, I went back through the book just to ogle the beauty, sans text. Reminiscent of the style of the great Emily Gravett, Ciara has created divine scenes, humour, depth and emotion, with each and every image. From the 'go away' doormat to little mouse scampering around each double-page spread, the tiny details are also a delight.

One of my favourite picture books so far this year. Don't miss it.

* Kids Book Review *
Delightfully sweet story with attractive illustrations and endearing characters. A charming tale that would read aloud well. * Peters e-Gazette *

Mr Bear is not happy. For years he's lived a life of quiet contemplation (and slight grumpiness) out in the wilds, gathering honey and reading his vast book collection. Sounds blissful doesn't it? Only Mr Bear's life changes completely once "Those Pesky Rabbits" move in.

Bear has to get used to the rabbits constantly doing unreasonable things, like knocking on his door and bringing him presents, suggesting book swaps, or some fun in the snow. Bear has had just about enough of this frivolity and loses his temper.

Grumpy old bear!

Can those pesky (adorable) rabbits win him round?

Ciara Flood's gorgeous story for Templar is such an entertaining read (even if Charlotte kept pointing out that I'm a bit like that bear at times. Owch!) Each glorious page spread is exquisitely detailed, and as we see Bear's frosty exterior melt due to the kindness of his new neighbours, we can't help but wish that bunch of bunnies would move in next door to us. Love 'em to bits!

Charlotte's best bit: Having spoonfuls of honey in tea? Sounds like it's worth a try!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Hugely entertaining and though we love grumpy old bear, the gorgeous rabbits definitely steal the show!

-- Phil May * Read it Daddy! *

Recommended. Rabbits. Bears. Neighbours. Friendship. Bear loves his own company, and children reading the book or joining in when someone reads it to them, will eagerly point out the clues to his taciturn nature: 'Go Away' written on his doormat, the look on his face, the binoculars to watch his new neighbours in case they call, his Home Sweet Home panel with just one bear embroidered into the picture, and his less that welcoming demeanour when the rabbits do come to call. Readers will love watching his face as it becomes more aggressive with the rabbits knocking on his door, and will laugh at the turned down ears of the rabbits as they learn that their new neighbour is not very receptive.
They want to borrow some honey and he lies about having any; they try to borrow some wood, and he sends them away; they want to swap some books, but again he tells them to go. Each time, the lovely illustrations show the reality of Bear's house and the things he could have given them.
When the rabbits leave something for him, he suddenly feels lonely and so must go about redeeming himself to his neighbours, finding out that perhaps there is more to life than being alone. Children will love following the antics of Bear and the ways the rabbits try to be friends, being rebuffed at all attempts, and will follow the little mouse as it appears, and marvel at the landscapes presented on each page.
There are many standout pages: the blue of the day Bear realises what he is missing out on; the pages filled with the activities they do together; the pages where he pulls his sled across to their place, and all the wonderful interior scenes. I loved them all, and kids will too.

-- Fran Knight * ReadPlus *

Those Pesky Rabbits arrived in our school library today! Can you tell I am excited? Yes it arrived TODAY and I am talking about it tonight!

Right from the first end paper I knew Those Pesky Rabbits would be a special book. Home Sweet Home is embroidered on a framed sampler and our bear stands outside his solitary house. Now jump to the back. The sampler has changed and now includes five rabbits and a new house close by. Bear now has neighbours and friends. Sorry, I am getting ahead of the story. The opening lines are

"Bear lived on his own in the middle of nowhere and that was just the way he liked it."

The complication comes when a family of rabbits build their house right next door. Being good neighbours the rabbits knock on Bear's door. They need some honey for a cake they are baking. Bear explains he has no honey but when we turn the page this huge lie is revealed - you will see not just one jar of honey but five enormous jars all with special labels attached detailing use of the honey. "Delicious in milk, tea and hot chocolate" "Good with figs and raisins" "Yummy on pancakes"

The rabbits are not put off and return a little later to ask for help with chopping wood. Bear says he is too busy but it is clear to the reader he is doing nothing and is just sitting in front of his own warm fire. The rabbits make one more visit this time with books to swap. Take a close look at the titles - "How to be nice and make friends" "Vegetarian cooking" "Rabbit adventures".

Bear yells at the rabbits that he just wants to be left alone and so that is exactly what happens until one day he finds a basket on his front door step.

It is easy to anticipate the happy ending but this will be new to a young reader. I loved this book with its warm message of friendship, the pattern of three and the quirky little touches you will find on each page. Take a look at the Bear's front door mat, the sneaky mouse who lives in his house, the seasonal change and the lovely snuggle scene where bear reads a book to his new friends after a day of honey collection, cake baking and wood chopping.

* Momo Celebrates Time To Read *

Bear has been living the quiet life for years and loving it! But with miles and miles of open space to choose from, a family of rabbits build their home right next door to Bear's! Bear is a lovable grump, from his jolly belly to his cozy cabin. But when the rabbits come a'knockin, Bear becomes a crotchety old grouch. He won't share honey, won't help the little bunnies use the big, heavy ax to chop wood, won't share his books. "Go away!" and "Do not ring!" signs do not deter the bunnies, until one night Bear scares them all away with a ferocious growl. He gets the peace and quiet he so angrily requested, and days and days go by, which turn in to some very quiet weeks. Summer turns to winter. One day, Bear gets a quiet knock on his door and those pesky, yet sweet, rabbits left him a care package and a sweet note to boot. This breaks him down enough to send him on over with his own goodies and an attempt make forever friends with his pesky neighbours.
"Those Pesky Rabbits" has quickly become one of our most favorite books! I love the characters, the entertaining storyline and the timeless charm of the tale. The illustrations are beautiful and a perfect accompaniment to this sweet and funny story. The nice warm temperatures in the story play well against Bear's cold demeanor, and I love how Bear "warms up" to the rabbits as the season turns to winter. Dolly loved picking out Bear's tiny mouse companion on every page, whether he was eating scones and milk or making himself at home! Dolly & our pesky rabbits at home highly recommend you bring those endearing, pesky rabbits into your home!

-- Regina L * Diapers and Daydreams *

I can't believe that Easter is only a few days away! How did that happen? I don't know what it is about Easter but it always seems to sneak up on me (regardless of the fact that chocolate Easter eggs have been on sale in the shops since January!)



Anyway, I thought I would share an adorable picture book about rabbits today. It's not specifically an Easter book but it has bunnies, and who doesn't love a good bunny book at Easter time? It's called Those Pesky Rabbits by Ciara Flood.




Mr Bear lives alone and that's the way he likes it. However, one day a family of rabbits move in next door and Mr Bear's peaceful solitude is gone in an instant. The rabbits seem to be constantly visiting Mr Bear. They want to borrow some honey or they need help chopping some wood and my favourite, they want to swap some books.

Those pesky and utterly adorable little rabbits are pretty persistent, but when Mr Bear roars at them, demanding to be left alone, they finally get the message. Life returns to normal for Mr Bear until one day he finds a basket on his doorstep with a note from the rabbits. This act of kindness finally helps Mr Bear realise the error of his ways and he reaches out to the rabbits.

Ciara Flood has created an adorable picture book with a beautiful message of friendship and the importance of generosity (even for grumpy old bears).

The illustrations are simply adorable. The stunning detail in each double page spread is captivating and they add a lovely depth to the story. We enjoyed finding the little mouse hidden on some of the pages and I absolutely adored the labels on each of the honey jars. Also the subtle change of seasons are a beautiful touch too.

I have a soft spot for fabulous endpapers and I am totally in love with the endpapers for Those Pesky Rabbits. The front endpapers are of a Home Sweet Home cross stitch sampler with the solitary Mr Bear next to his house. Then jump to the end of the book to see the new additions of those adorable little rabbits standing next to Mr Bear. Too adorable for words.

This charming picture book would make a lovely non-chocolate Easter gift and because it is not specifically an Easter themed book, you can read it all year round. Yay! I may have purchased a few copies to give as gifts this year too.

-- Melissa * Honey Bee Books *

Bear is happy living on his own, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to bother him. So, when a family of rabbits move in next door, you can understand why he gets a little cross.

Pretty soon, those pesky rabbits are on his doorstep, asking to borrow honey, for help to chop wood, if Bear would like to swap books ...

And bear, in no uncertain roars, tells them to leave him alone. So they do.

Until ...

Those pesky rabbits show him that being kind and welcoming and enjoying the company of others, is not so bad after all.

This is a gorgeous picture book with a really well-crafted and clever storyline. Simple yet plump with meaning, its messaging is subtle, beautifully-done, and so well appreciated by this avid picture book reader. Let's just say, Ciara Flood has got it right.

Then there's the illustrations--just beyond luscious. So much so, I went back through the book just to ogle the beauty, sans text. Reminiscent of the style of the great Emily Gravett, Ciara has created divine scenes, humour, depth and emotion, with each and every image. From the 'go away' doormat to the little mouse scampering around each double-page spread, the tiny details are also a delight.

One of my favourite picture books so far this year. Don't miss it.

-- Tania McCartney * Kids' Book Revi