[Pet Health Admin]

The author of such classics as My Granson Lew, Williams's Doll, and Over and Over needs no introduction. Neither does her collaborator Maurice Sendak, who has illustrated so many of today's best-loved, as well as most distinguised, books for children. The heroine of their book has a problem. And at first it does not look as though Mr. Rabbit is going to be much help in solving it . For everyone knows you cannot give your mother a red roof, a yellow taxi-cab, a green caterpillar, or a blue lake for her birthday. But then all the little girl had said was that her mother liked red, yellow, green and blue -- and so Mr. Rabbit was trying.How he and the liitle girl come up with the absolutely perfect present makes a story the the youngest reader will love. And the wonderously bright full-color pictures will bring hours of pleasure to readers and lookers of all ages.
Customer Review: Endearing Story, Beautiful Artistry
I had originally given this book a 4 star review, but in hindsight, I think it deserves 5. (The site wouldn't allow me to edit my star rating- sorry). This is a book that I would like to have discovered earlier, but my four year old boy enjoys it anyway, and I would gladly add it to our family library. A 2 or 3 year-old would easily appreciate this story as well. Both the author and illustrator are accomplished and well respected, and the proof is in reading it to a child. Children love the idea that they can converse with the animals, and Mr. Rabbit and The Lovely Present all but makes it seem possible to the reader. A valuable life lesson is well taken from a well meaning and sympathetic rabbit, in a young girl's search for great gift ideas for her mother. A tiny bit redundant from a grown-up's point of view, but the audience gets the bigger vote (children love repetitive stories and gain much from them). I'm hoping that demand will bring this book back to the printers for the next generation of readers, Especially considering the copyright date (1962). Judging from the illustrations, I would have placed it somewhere in the early 30's 40's. This book must have been very popular in the sixties with parents looking for wholesome stories and rich, high quality artwork for their children.
Customer Review: A little stunner!
I received this book today and am so pleased that I bought it because it's a stunning book. It's a lovely little tale (already explained by other reviewers!) that contains subtle repetition for early readers and would be great for teaching colours to a younger child. The illustrations are lovely and have a 1960s feel about them - subtle but intricately drawn and enhance the text perfectly (they don't look anything like the illustrations of We're The Wild Things are but are equally as fantastic!). I think you'd be really hardpressed to find anything faults with this book - a totally charming must have classic for your children's library - don't pass this one up. It's one of those books that totally enchants you the very first time you read it.


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