A phobic rabbit faces his fears.In the first sentence, readers learn that "there once was a chap called Ditter von Dapp / who lived deep inside of a cave." The second sentence explains that "he couldn't stand sunlight-‘It's too blinding and bright!'- / so always he stayed in the shade." The rest of the lesson expands on this central conceit: The monocled, tuxedoed white rabbit frets that the light "could blind me, unwind me, it could drive me insane! / Or illuminate things I don't like." The blue-toned spreads show all the predicaments his phobia lands him in. When a Buddhist-monk mouse runs away with his left shoe, Ditter von Dapp must face the fact that "looking is tough. / When you're looking in darkness-all you see is dark stuff." So he capitulates, illuminates his home, and discovers that good lighting, shown in color-filled illustrations, is an aesthetic delight. As a metaphor, this is overwrought for adults and impenetrable for kids, and the attempt at rollicking rhyme is consistently uneven and strained; many lines incorporate ridiculous expostulations for the sake of rhyme and meter. For some reason the saffron-robed mouse "had not taken his shoe simply for play" but rather "to show Von Dapp the way." She even holds her hands in a little namaste to end the lesson. Ultimately Ditter's such a lackluster hero that the question of why overwhelms the story.A fable without staying power. (Picture book. 4-7)

PreS-Gr 1 This story follows a rabbit, Ditter von Dapp, who is stuck in a dark period, literally and figuratively, and who overcomes those difficulties to find the light. In an awkward rhyming text, Ditter is stuck in the darkness and drifting through life. After rediscovering the light, Ditter realizes how wonderful his home and life is. He then encourages readers to find the light in their own lives if they are also stuck. Despite failed attempts at nonsensical vocabulary in the manner of Dr. Seuss, this is an uplifting, reassuring book. In hues of blue to show the darkness of the room and in the rabbit's mind, the illustrations also show the burrow as a complicated set of rooms and stairs filled with visual hidden treasures for young eyes to pore over. While it is difficult to balance a book for children on sadness or depression, this one also shows that there are moments when Ditter is content, and that feelings can change and shift. This book could be nicely paired with What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada. VERDICT As children acknowledge and process the feelings the pandemic has raised, this might be a good addition to collections needing books on sadness and overcoming those feelings. Katie Llera, Bound Brook Elem. Sch., NJ