Rabbityness
There are certain activities that qualify as “rabbity”: hopping, jumping, burrowing, and so on. And the rabbit in this picture book does all of these things, but he also engages in pursuits that are decidedly unrabbity, namely painting and making music. The opening spreads, which depict Rabbit doing his typical rabbit thing, are illustrated by debut author-illustrator Empson as small, dark, minimalist spots. But when readers turn the page onto the fourth spread, they will be delighted to find it brimming with bright abstract art and an ebullient Rabbit clutching a paintbrush. Unfortunately, partway through, Rabbit up and disappears, and all we see on the page are some representative sad floating leaves. Rabbit never returns, which is an unusual ending for a picture book, but he leaves behind a creative legacy. Empson’s illustrations, which switch back and forth between black-and-white and full color, chart the emotional course for the book. Rabbit’s disappearance—and the aftermath—will speak to children about looking on the bright side during times of loss or change, while proving the uplifting nature of art. Preschool-Grade 2. --Ann Kelley