There are probably as many books written for young readers about rabbits as any other animal. Think about it! There's the March Hare in "Alice in Wonderland," "Here Comes Peter Cottontail . . . " and the Easter Bunny. Also, there is Peter Rabbit, but that is a tale for another day since famous Peter is celebrating his 100th birthday and deserves a column by himself.
Following are two new books about rabbits and a list of favorites for this Easter season as well as ones to enjoy year-round:RABBIT SURPRISE by Eric L. Houck Jr. Illustrated by Dominic Catalano. Crown, 1993. $14.
Richard Fox finds a basket on his doorstep with a note that reads, "A breakfast treat just for you, Love, Grandmother Fox." Inside are four rabbits and a magician's black hat.
When Richard goes to get a big frying pan, the four rabbits suddenly turn into eight. " `Incredible!' Richard said. He went to get a larger pan." Richard calls his brother Johnny to share the breakfast. On his return, there are 12 rabbits. Soon the house is overflowing with rabbits, and a BIG rabbit magician comes out of the hat.
The magician's tricks and the fox's guile make this a silly story for sharing with all ages. What fun to see the wily fox get his comeuppance and miss his breakfast. Or does he? The last page shows the brothers going off to Johnny's house where Grandma Fox has left a big basket.
This is Houck's first picture book text, but there are enough repetitions and snappy lines to make it a fine read-aloud. Catalano's splashy pencil drawings fit perfectly with the story and reflect his interest in movement and music.
A completely different mood is set in MAMA, IF YOU HAD A WISH by Jeanne Modesitt and illustrated by Robin Spowart (Green Tiger Press, 1993. $14.) This husband and wife collaboration is dedicated to young readers who "are lovable and wonderful just the way they are."
Little Bunny asks Mama what she would wish he could be and do. While she admittedly accepts his uniqueness - being afraid of things, mistakes and how he looks - Mama Bunny's final wish is, "I would wish for you to be yourself . . . because I love you just the way you are."
The fluorescent colors aren't compatible with the tender story, but the message will override the inconsistency. Since Mama holds a basket with eggs throughout the story, this could be a great Easter basket stuffer and one to share time and time again.
Other Easter specials are "The Easter Bunny That Overslept" and "The Easter Egg Artists," both illustrated by Adrienne Adams. There's something about this artist's detail and intricate design that looks like fine Easter egg paintings.
- Other rabbit stories worth sharing:
The first rabbit book for babies is "Pat the Bunny" by Dorothy Kunhardt. It doesn't take many months until the nap is nearly worn off this touch-and-say book that has been in print for more than 50 years. Next in line of baby books is Wanda Gag's "ABC Bunny," which is celebrating its 60th year since first publication.
Both "The Runaway Bunny" by Margaret Brown and Bill Peet's"Huge Harold" have entertained the youngest readers for generations, as has "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams. At least seven other artists have illustrated this timeless story of the nursery rabbit who has lost its place on the toy shelf, but no version seems to exceed the popularity of the Williams original, which has been packaged with a stuffed toy and an audio tape.
"The Adventures of Brer Rabbit," Joel Chandler Harris' classic, has been illustrated by award-winning Jerry Pinckney and many others, but none is quite as striking as Barry Moser's edition and his follow-up, "Jump Again! More Adventures of Brer Rabbit."
Two beautiful books with timeless appeal are "Listen Rabbit," Symeon Shimin's exotic art accompanying Aileen Fisher's poem, and Garth Williams' "Rabbit's Wedding."
Maurice Sendak always said that some of his favorite illustrations were those for Charlotte Zolotow's "Mister Rabbit and the Lovely Present."
Fiction about rabbits is also popular reading. One series that captivates readers is about the vampire bunny, "Bunnicula" by James Howe. There's more humor in that than in "Rabbit Hill" by Robert Lawson, but the latter has some lessons to be learned.
Fictional rabbits can be found on spaceships, wishing for wings, meeting dragons and becoming bionic. Books can be found that show how to make rabbits come out of a magician's hat. Yes, there's even nonfiction about many kinds of rabbits: how to build hutches, what is needed to raise rabbits and training rabbits to live in your home as pets.
There are sticker books, pop-up books and coloring books about rabbits, too. My favorite activity book is "Let's Make Rabbits" by Leo Lionni. With a pencil, scissors and some bright paper even I can make a drawing of rabbits!
Marilou Sorensen is an associate professor of education at the University of Utah specializing in children's literature.