Easter Bunny, Are You For Real?
What parent is prepared to answer the question "What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Easter?" This fluffy fellow is not part of traditional Sunday school discussions, yet every spring he makes an appearance in the forms of animated characters, marshmallow treats, and holiday stories. Harold Myra and Jane Kurisu, who have also addressed Christian vs. commercial messages during other holidays inSanta: Are You for Real?andHalloween: Is It for Real?, provide a way of talking about this confusing subject  for young Christians. When three children begin to question their dad about the connection between the Easter Bunny and the real Easter, he tells them about Jesus being killed on the cross and his resurrection. "The Easter Bunny has nothing to do with the real Easter. The Easter Bunny--along with new leaves and flowers and new baby kittens and baby chicks--is part of how we celebrate spring. But that's all. Spring is God's picture of Jesus rising from the dead as all of nature comes to life again."Kurisu's spring-bright palette makes a pleasing backdrop to Myra's straightforward, evenhanded text; chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts are not disparaged, only placed in context. (Ages 4 to 8)--Emilie  Coulter