Rabbit and the Not-S0-Big Bad Wolf
by Michael Escoffier
illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo
Picture Book
* * * * Stars (Great!)
The narrator of this book asks Rabbit if he is familiar with the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf. When Rabbit draws a picture of the wolf on his blackboard, the narrator guides him in making alterations until he has it just right. And that’s when the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf shows up and Rabbit must RUN and HIDE. He doesn’t hide very well and the wolf catches him. By the ears (No no no! You must NEVER pick a rabbit up by its ears!). And the Rabbit gets a big surprise.
This is a goofy, but ultimately reassuring, story accompanied by funny illustrations – including a very expressive rabbit who is alternatively questioning, perplexed, triumphant, annoyed, and panicked. The drawings of Rabbit hiding behind first a ball, and then a stack of books are quite amusing. “Not there. The wolf can see your ears. Not there. The wolf can see your tail.” Cute and giggle-worthy. But it bears repeating – NEVER pick a rabbit up by its ears. BAD wolf.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
