Little Rabbit's Christmas

Publishers Weekly

Exceptionally nuanced illustrations in Horse's signature pen-and-ink and watercolors of an irresistible animal cast turn an obvious lesson about the importance of sharing into an appetizing holiday story. Making his final appearance in the late author/artist's picture book series, Little Rabbit wakes up on Christmas with a child's single-minded interest in obtaining a particular red sled. Horse conveys a whole world of emotion by just tilting the few curves that delineate Little Rabbit's face. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)

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Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green

Little Rabbit is back! The night before Christmas, he sees a red sled in the shop window. It is all he can think about that evening, that night, and the next morning. His other presents do not matter at all; he just wants his sled, so he is thrilled when he finds it waiting for him outside! Little Rabbit immediately heads out to play. He shows it off to his friends, but does not want to share. At first, he has a blast. Then, he has a crash. What a way for his Christmas day to end … or is it? It is easy for young children to fall prey to "what I want" thinking, which focuses on getting and enjoying that special gift. Harry Horse pulls no punches; there are times in this story—such as when he is having his temper tantrum on Christmas morning or when he rejects the playtime overtures of his friends—that readers will find it difficult to like Little Rabbit very much at all, but Little Rabbit is really a realistic portrayal of our own baser instincts, and readers will thrill to see him learn from his mistakes and go on to have a suitably wonderful Christmas. Horse's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations aptly convey the cozy warmth of home, the action-adventure of sledding, and the light of the holiday. This is a book readers will come back to again and again.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Little Rabbit continues to charm children in this warm and fuzzy tale. When the Christmas Rabbit brings the red sled he's longed for (the one that goes "Whoosh!"), the small animal refuses to let anyone else play with it. Instead he pulls it far up a hill, much too far, so that when he whooshes down again he crashes and the sled breaks. It takes his friends to fix both the sled and his attitude, and everything ends happily. The joy of this book is in its delightful visual and textual details. Simple and satisfying pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork draws the eye to Little Rabbit's facial expressions, which include childish wonderment, frustration, and bravado. An enchanting holiday treat for all collections.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Kirkus Reviews

The fourth entry in this series from England about Little Rabbit is the story of the bunny child's realization that friendship and love are better gifts than any toy left by the Christmas Rabbit. After Little Rabbit spies a spiffy red sled in a store window, he longs to have it for Christmas, and his wish is fulfilled. Like many children, Little Rabbit hasn't learned to share, and he won't let his friends have a ride on the sled. After Little Rabbit crashes and breaks it, his friends come to his rescue and repair his broken sled. The concluding pages show Little Rabbit (lesson learned) and his friends sledding together and then celebrating their friendship around the Christmas tree. The story is gently and simply told, without unnecessary words or comments on Little Rabbit's behavior. His selfishness is subtly indicated through dialogue alone, and the kind actions of his friends also stand, without authorial comment, for young listeners to figure out for themselves. Horse's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are sweetly old-fashioned, and he manages amusing, expressive looks on Little Rabbit's face, especially in the scenes when he doesn't care to share. (Picture book. 3-6)