Grumblebunny - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 3-Cuddlemop, Sweetsnuffle, and Pretty are the most optimistic rabbits on Misty Mountain Meadow, and their cousin Grumblebunny is the gloomiest. When Bad Wolf Peter stuffs them all in his "snack sack," the three positive thinkers praise its sturdy construction. They even enjoy swimming in the warm, steamy water of the soup pot. Only Grumblebunny recognizes the danger they are in, and it is his rotten disposition that saves them. Back in the meadow, the sweet bunnies remain unfazed by their experience and contemplate another exciting game with the wolf. The humor lies not only in the absurdity and exaggeration of the situation, but also in the illustrations. The three bucktoothed, wide-eyed optimists have vacuous expressions that reveal their naive view of the world. In contrast, droopy-eared Grumblebunny looks as gloomy as his dark-gray fur. Outwitting wolves intent on cooking dinner forms the basis of other picture books, such as Tony Blundell's Beware of Boys (Morrow, 1996) and Susan Meddaugh's Hog-Eye (Houghton, 1995). This one provides an original and amusing spin on a familiar scenario.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
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