possibly the best children's picture book ever written

books:


	• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (Sandpiper Books) Dubose Heyward Houghton Mifflin, 1974 - 48 pages average customer review:based on 44 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

MARVELOUS Children's Story

I concur with all fans of this book on this site. I have a personal sentimental attachment to it, having had it read to me in childhood - and never having forgotten it, either, even without having seen it for 30-odd years until I bought a copy for a family member.

This book teaches marvelous things about racial tolerance, as well as gender equality - the little _brown_ bunny proves herself more than the equal of the large _white_ bunnies who laugh at her. This is very subtle, and not a "lesson" - just a quiet, good influence. The book's central message is of the virtue of kindness, gentleness, and perseverance, all quietly conveyed through a captivating tale that sparks a child's imagination.

The illustrations, I might add, are phenomenal - beautiful, soft-colored, sensitively-rendered. Each illustration is a marvelous piece of artwork unto itself, leagues beyond the current standard of flat, primary colors and basic shapes; these rabbits come alive, and make the story infinitely more vivid.

Want to give your child a memory to last a lifetime? Read this one to them - they won't forget it. I didn't.

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This book celebrates motherhood

I wouldn't call this a feminist book, but a book celebrating the role of motherhood, placing high value on "life skills" that a successful mother is able to impart and pass on to her children. My 7 year old loves the book, too. It is also a clever Easter story.

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A charming book for children and adults

This fairytale about a rabbit who helps deliver Easter eggs is also an early feminist tale. A little country bunny always wants to be one of the special chosen bunnies who delivers Easter eggs. She has 21 children but trains them so well that she demonstrates all her skills and is indeed chosen to deliver. But still, she has another obstacle to surmount; her courage doesn't fail her but she still needs some help from the little golden shoes. It's a charming book that teaches children that potential negatives in life (21 kids) don't necessarily mean that you can't achieve your dreams. In fact, that negative can instead be the most positive aspect of life. I loved this as a child but now reading it to my own child it's just as good.

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Great, but ... where's the Dad Bunny?

Very good and inspiring story of a mother who gives her children the gift of being useful (something nearly all American kids are denied nowadays) -- and who gives herself the gift of fulfilling work, in addition to motherhood. With 21 children, and a mysteriously absent husband (we are told that she had a husband before having babies, but he is never mentioned again), the only way to run a household is to give everyone a meaningful job to do. The only qualm I have with the story is the problem of the fatherless bunnies. If the author is going to humanize the bunnies, give them houses and clothes and so forth, can't he also give the mother rabbit a supportive partner? Interestingly, this book was written by a man, in 1939.

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possibly the best children's picture book ever written

Your children will love this wonderful 1930s book-- it has beautiful illustrations and an engrossing story. In a nutshell, a mother rabbit aspires to be the new Easter Bunny despite the fact that she comes from difficult circumstances. This book is 100% guaranteed to help your children learn to treasure books and to love reading.

Adults will love the values this book teaches: believe in yourself, take pride in doing what you can to help your family, do your best, and never give up. In a charming, non-preachy way the story teaches children that a person's worth is not based upon wealth, appearance, or social status-- that what matters is inside us. The story teaches children that no matter what your circumstances are, you can achieve your dreams. Importantly, the mother rabbit only achieves her goals for the family when all of her children pitch in to help run the household and everyone maintains a cheerful, positive attitude-- it's a lovely story that supports positive family values.

I adored this book as a little girl, and I have given it to many other families. It should be in every family's library. I don't think a better children's book has ever been written. This book is a must-have for little girls, especially-- it conveys the message that anything is possible in a powerful, magical way that all children can understand.

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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