Sunday, March 17, 2013

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Howe, D., & Howe, J. (1979). Bunnicula: a rabbit-tale of mystery. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Texas Bluebonnet Award, 1981-1982

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery is Deborah and James Howe’s comical story of Harold the dog and Chester the cat as they discover spooky clues about their new housemate, Bunnicula.  Bunnicula is a small black and white rabbit that the Monroes, Harold and Chester’s owners, found at the movie theater while seeing the movie Dracula.  Chester is convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire because he has fangs, escapes from his cage at night, and is sucking the juice from vegetables, turning them an eerie white.  Chester tries multiple tactics to catch Bunnicula and reveal his true identity to the Monroes, but in the end, the Monroes think Chester is crazy, sending him to a cat psychiatrist to work out his issues.  They also end up taking Bunnicula to the vet, who recommends he go on a liquid diet because he is underweight.  Harold makes friends with Bunnicula and avoids Chester who tries to get him to communicate more and get in touch with himself.  

Deborah and James Howe write this humorous tale in a way that appeals to children of varying ages.  The reader cannot help but fall in love with Harold, laugh at Chester’s antics, and feel sorry for Bunnicula and all he is forced to endure.  The book moves at a good pace and is a quick read, and I often recommend it to my students, who end up loving it and reading the entire Bunnicula series.    
 


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