Rating: Recommended
Roaring Brook, 2010, $16.99
ISBN: 978-1-59643-502-5
Age Range: Toddler-Kindergarten
Take a rabbit, add a magical suitcase and rabbit's animal friends, and you have a recipe for an enchanting and delightful read-aloud story for prereaders. "Hey, Rabbit! Is there anything for me in your suitcase?" is the question that greets rabbit as he pushes, carries and pulls his magical suitcase along the grass and individually meets his friends. Of course there is! As the suitcase is opened, each animal friend gets exactly what they want and more. The magic spills onto a double page for each one. A dog wants a bone for his birthday and gets a birthday cake made of bones. A toucan wants a leaf to remind him of home and gets a jungle complete with plants and animals. A bear, cat, mouse, and crab also get what they want. When rabbit wonders if there is anything left for him in the suitcase, he slowly opens it and all his friends come out of it, along with a huge radish. The illustrations are simple and sweet. There is plenty of white space in most pictures. I would highly recommend this book. It will be enjoyed by anyone who has a special wish.
Reviewer: Pat Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Branch
