The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo
It's a funny, heartwarming tale of difference, love and overcoming stereotypes, made indelible by OHora's adorable, offbeat illustrations…
Publishers Weekly
★ 12/08/2014
Dyckman’s (Tea Party Rules) rousing, warmhearted story opens as a family of city-dwelling bunnies discover a wolf cub in a basket on their front stoop. “He’s going to eat us all up!” cries daughter Dot. But Papa proudly snaps pictures of Wolfie chowing down on carrots (“He’s a good eater!”), and Mama’s smitten, too. OHora’s (Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!) distinctive folk-naïf spreads poke gentle fun at hipster families—Papa and Mama are decked out in cardigans and argyle, while Dot and Wolfie shop at a food coop selling such wares as locally-sourced organic bamboo. More laughs come from the irresistible contrast between Dot’s sweet bunny countenance and her furious glares of rage. “I knew it!” she hisses when Wolfie bares his fangs while they’re shopping. But he’s not baring them at Dot—he’s worried about the huge bear behind her. In a gratifying showdown, Dot overpowers the bear (“Let him go!” she yells. “Or... I’ll eat you all up!”) while Wolfie proves he’s not only trustworthy but full of love. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Scott Treimel, Scott Treimel N.Y. Illustrator’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of 2016Parents Magazine Best Fictional Picture Book 2015
ASLC Notable Book for Children
SLJ Best of the Year
NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
The Huffington Post Best Picture Books 2015
Wilde Award Best Picture Books Ages 4-8
* "Interspecies adoption puts a fresh spin on the new-baby theme...A treat of a picture book."—The Horn Book, starred review
* "The text is seamlessly integrated with the illustrations and uses various fonts to good effect. OHora's acrylic paintings are the heart of this tale. They clearly show everyone's feelings from fear to sadness to joy to anger to love and everything in between, and there are brilliant bits of humor and whimsy added to the mix. VERDICT: A great book for one-on-one sharing that's also sure to be a storytime hit."—SLJ, starred review
* "This gets all the elements of the successful picture book just right: a familiar scenario (sibling rivalry), a scary adversary, a display of courage, and a happy ending. And then there's the art!...A crowd-pleaser for crowds big and small."—Booklist, starred review
* "Dyckman's (Tea Party Rules) rousing, warmhearted story opens as a family of city-dwelling bunnies discover a wolf cub in a basket on their front stoop. "He's going to eat us all up!" cries daughter Dot. But Papa proudly snaps pictures of Wolfie chowing down on carrots ("He's a good eater!"), and Mama's smitten, too. OHora's (Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!) distinctive folk-naif spreads poke gentle fun at hipster families—Papa and Mama are decked out in cardigans and argyle, while Dot and Wolfie shop at a food coop selling such wares as locally-sourced bamboo. More laughs come from the irresistible contrast between Dot's sweet bunny countenance and her furious glares of rage. "I knew it!" she hisses when Wolfie bares his fangs while they're shopping. But he's not baring them at Dot—he's worried about the huge bear behind her. In a gratifying showdown, Dot overpowers the bear ("Let him go!" she yells. "Or...I'll eat you all up!") while Wolfie proves he's not only trustworthy but full of love."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A tongue-in-cheek tale of a wolf in Bunny clothing...Add to the growing collection of sibling stories...that delight and instruct."—Kirkus
"The first fresh twist on new-baby angst I've seen in years...The text is pitch-perfect, and the art is its match."—Chicago Tribune
"A sunny reversal of the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing yarn."—USA Today
"Dot's bunny ferocity adds a particularly enjoyable touch to the saga, as do stealthy touches of wit."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
School Library Journal
★ 02/01/2015
PreS-Gr 1—When the Bunny family finds a little bundle of joy—that happens to be a wolf—on their doorstep, they are smitten.Well, except for little Dot, who exclaims repeatedly, "He's going to eat us all up!!" Even her friends agree, but Dot's parents are captivated by the adorable baby—he's a good eater, sleeper, and drooler, they note. As Wolfie grows, Dot's worry is compounded with annoyance as he follows her everywhere in typical little brother-style. Having to go to the store for more carrots with Wolfie (who ate them all up!) makes Dot less than pleased, and she is on guard lest he tries to eat her. The fact that Wolfie is wearing an endearing bunny outfit does not make her feel better, but it does make the bear at the market think that Wolfie would make a yummy meal. Rather than run for safety, Dot terrifies the bear with tough talk of eating him up and saves Wolfie, who thanks her by pouncing on her with a big hug. The now-bonded siblings walk home hand in hand. The text is seamlessly integrated with the illustrations and uses various fonts to good effect. OHora's acrylic paintings are the heart of this tale. They clearly show everyone's feelings from fear to sadness to joy to anger to love and everything in between, and there are brilliant bits of humor and whimsy added to the mix. VERDICT A great book for one-on-one sharing that's also sure to be a storytime hit.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
Kirkus Reviews
2014-12-06
A tongue-in-cheek tale of a wolf in Bunny clothing.The Bunnys live in a garden-level (which is Brooklyn for "basement") apartment and come home one day to find a basket holding a baby wolf at their door. Young Dot grasps the situation right away: "HE'S GOING TO EAT US ALL UP!" she exclaims. But Mama and Papa are charmed by how much he eats and how well he sleeps and even how well he drools (on Dot). Dot sticks to her line, however, even when her little brother—now much bigger than she is and clad in a giant pink bunny suit—accompanies her to the Carrot Patch, the local organic co-op. There in the produce department is a bear! He thinks Wolfie is dinner! Dot fiercely and feistily defends her brother, and when the bear dismisses her as a bunny and announces he is bigger, she responds that she's HUNGRY and she will start munching on the bear's TOES. The bear runs away; the siblings go home. It's pretty adorable. OHora's stark acrylics, with strong black line and accents, make use of few colors (shades of red, gray and gold) to good effect. Dot's perpetual scowl is particularly acute. Add to the growing collection of sibling stories, adoptive and otherwise, that delight and instruct. (artist's note, author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)
