The Magic Rabbit
PreS–A white rabbit jumps out of a black top hat and discovers that he can make magic. He pulls out nine balls (that resemble the planets) and juggles them, drives around in a car that has emerged from the hat, and creates a picnic of delicious food. However, though he enjoys doing tricks, he decides that he needs a friend. After failed attempts with a frog that hops out of the hat and off the page, two mice that scurry away, and three fluttering blue jays, the rabbit discovers there's another hat inside his magic one. A second rabbit shoots out of it, and, PRESTO!, a friendship is born. The richly hued oil paintings with their varying perspectives and textures are the highlight of this tale, but the tepid, almost unnecessary, text makes it less than magical.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.