Synopsis
In this heartwarming story, Bean the bunny rabbit learns the importance of growing up. Bean has been carrying around her blanket her entire life but when her family gently suggests she might be big enough to stop taking it everywhere, Bean gets scared. She hides her blanket inside a tree stump to protect it, but when she goes back, it's gone! What will Bean do without it? With the support of her mother, father, and brother, Bean slowly discovers how to let go.
Children's Literature
A small adorable rabbit named Bean is big enough to do some things, but does not seem to be big enough to give up taking her blanket everywhere she goes. She is big enough to hop around the pond, pick dandelions, and swing on the high branches. Her family suggests that she try doing things without her blanket. Her brother even says that blankets are for babies. Bean makes a plan that she calls the "Keep Blankie Forever Plan," just in case her family decides to take the blanket away. She hides her blanket in a hollow log for the day. But when it is bedtime, she misses it and goes out to find it. She searches but cannot find it anywhere. Her family tries to help her feel better by reading her two extra bedtime stories, making her hot milk, and her brother even lends her his second favorite teddy bear. After a time, Bean is so busy doing fun things that she forgets all about her blanket. A wonderful ending for Bean and readers is when Bean discovers that her blanket is now being used by a tiny baby fox. The illustrations in pastel hues are lovely. This is a charming story that should appeal to all young children.