Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Little Rabbit and the Night Mare
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2008 ISBN: 978-0152057176
On Monday Little Rabbit's teacher gives her students a very important assignment. They are to "prepare a report on the topic of your choice" and they will have to present their reports to the rest of the class at the end of the week. Little Rabbit has never done a report before and he wants to make sure that he chooses the right topic. None of the suggestions his mother makes feels right and Little Rabbit begins "to worry."
That night Little Rabbit is in such a state that he has a bad dream. His mother assures him that it was just a nightmare. Little Rabbit spends the rest of the night worrying that the "night mare" will come back to torment him.
Alas for Little Rabbit. Over the next few days the situation goes from bad to worse as he tries to deal with the night mare and as he worries about his upcoming report.
Most of us, at some time or another, have been afflicted with bad dreams and we can all sympathize with poor Little Rabbit. With touches of humor that adults will appreciate, Kate Klise tells a story which beautifully captures the feelings and actions of a small child who is worried and afraid. Young children who are wrestling with their own fears will find Little Rabbit's story comforting and supportive.
W. Sarah Klise's acrylic illustrations are wonderfully whimsical, and their folkloric style will appeal to children and adults alike.
