Little Rabbit goes to sleep - Hardcover

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PreSchool-Grade 2-A book that deals with childhood fears of the dark and insomnia. A little rabbit does not go right to sleep; he flops around in his bed, tries to count mosquitos (since rabbits do not count sheep), and is frightened by the darkness and the unknown. He gets out of bed and joins his grandfather on the porch for some talk about what the crickets are saying and why the moon shines. Comforted, he returns to bed and falls asleep. The overall effect is cuddly and soothing; the night terrors do not receive much space, and Grandpa shows up before things get blown out of proportion. The illustrations, with their emerald and sapphire blues, provide a fantasy setting for the story. Even the crickets are larger than life, more insectlike than Jiminy Cricket, but still not specimens-their raucous, nightclub stances as they sing make them funny and busy rather than creepy and scary. Stevenson's watercolors, layered for depth, do a good job of portraying the shadowy nature of night. A story that will provide comfort and a little amusement before bedtime.
Ruth K. MacDonald, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Snuggling in bed with his one-eyed stuffed bunny, Little Rabbit cannot sleep. "Outside, the night was big and dark, and he felt very small." Counting the mice scurrying on the rafters overhead doesn't help--nor does the sight of "something on dark wings" flying by his window. Scared, Little Rabbit tiptoes downstairs to the porch, where Grandpa, rocking in his chair, reassuringly invites the young rabbit to "Come to me. We will watch the night together." Explaining that the darkness allows the stars to wink and the moon to shine, and that "scary sounds" are just crickets singing, the wise elder assuages his grandson's fears, then tucks him into bed. With her lyrical text, Johnston ( Yonder ) offers an agreeable, if somewhat treacly variation on a well-worn theme. More refreshing are Stevenson's spirited, shadow-filled pictures, revealing endearing particulars (such as various vegetable motifs found on Little Rabbit's bed, pajamas and bedroom curtains) and his hero's wide range of worried facial expressions. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 3-5. A young rabbit, frightened by the size and color of the dark night, tries to lull himself to sleep, first by counting mosquitoes (only one is around) and then mice feet (too fast to count). Burying himself deeper under his covers, he hears the familiar, secure creaking of Grandpa's rocking chair. Grandpa Rabbit calms the worried wee one, pointing out the lovely star-studded night sky, the silvery moon, and the chirping crickets. Grandpa Rabbit tucks in the little rabbit, comfortable at last, who slumbers off to dreamland. Although the plot is neither new nor extraordinary, the bunnies' obvious loving relationship and the colorful watercolor paintings, highlighted by deep blue and purple shadows, combine to make a cozy lap story. Young ones will appreciate the reassurance about a common fear and savor the delightful, expressive paintings. Deborah Abbott

The little rabbit tries to go to sleep--he counts mosquitoes (one) and the feet of mice scurrying in the rafters (it can't be done: too many) and tries to ignore the scary dark; but finally he creeps down to the porch, where Grandpa's rocking chair is creaking. Then, while the old rabbit cuddles the younger one in his lap, they chat comfortably about stars, the rising moon, and chirping crickets, until the night is no longer scary and Grandpa can tuck the little one in, to snore ``as softly as one little mosquito.'' Johnston's deftly phrased text is genial and unusually engaging, while Stevenson captures the summer night in peaceful purples, blues, and greens. His bunnies are wonderfully expressive and appealing, while dozens of pleasurable details add interest--fabric designs featuring veggies popular with rabbits, the mosquito's shadow, nightshirted mice. A charming bedtime book that should be with us for years to come. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.