What Noise Does a Rabbit Make?

September 1, 2013
All the other animals make very distinct sounds. What about rabbits? In the still of the night, the meadow fills with rabbits, who nibble peacefully for hours. As the sun comes up, the farm rings out with noises. The rooster trumpets out a "Cock-a-doodle-do," the horse neighs, the dog woofs, and so on. This causes a young bunny named Raggety-Taggle to wonder just what noise a rabbit makes. He tries thump-thumping with his foot, but this just attracts a predatory cat that nearly catches him. The chase wakes up the dog, who pursues the cat; it also stirs up the cows, the sheep, the horses, the pigs, the rooster and the farmer on his tractor. When the farmer blows his horn, all the animals stop short, tumbling into an awkward pile. All, that is, except Raggety-Taggle, who quietly runs all the way home. Later that night, as the sun goes down, the rabbits again fill the meadow, and Raggety-Taggle wonders "just why anybody would ever want to make a noise at all." The treatment of animals and their sounds is entirely predictable (if spelled with a British accent--the cat says, "Miaow!"), but it's leavened with the sly lesson about the value of being quiet. Byrne's colors are bold, and his animals, drawn with an appealing simplicity, are apt for preschoolers. Though far from startlingly original, it's good for a giggle or two. (Picture book. 3-5)

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September 1, 2013

PreS-K-With lots of animal sounds and large, brightly toned illustrations, this British import will delight preschool crowds. Raggety-Taggle spends the hours before dawn with his aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters, silently nibbling the grass in the meadow. When the sun comes up, the farm below erupts with the morning noises, making the bunny wonder what sounds rabbits make. Thumping his feet attracts the cat and all of the rabbits scamper down their holes-except for Raggety-Taggle, who doesn't realize the danger and must run for his life. The ensuing chase goes all around the farm, causing a racket that is finally stopped by the angry farmer. That evening, safely back home, the bunny realizes that the quiet ways of rabbits suit him just fine. From the charming, rabbity endpapers to the bold spreads, this is one to add to the pantheon of farm stories for story or circle times.-Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
Bunny Raggety-Taggle hears noises made by other farm animals and wants to find his own sound. His "thump-thump-thumpety-thump" attracts a cat, who gives chase. A dog chases the cat, then a cow joins in, which leads to a cacophonous animal parade. Raggety-Taggle slips away, unnoticed. The unintended message--making noise is dangerous--is unfortunate, but the warm cartoon illustrations are inviting.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)