Copyright Date:
2013
Edition Date:
2013
Release Date:
02/12/13
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
1-419-70543-1
ISBN 13:
978-1-419-70543-4
Dewey:
E
LCCN:
2012035411
Dimensions:
21 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
ALA Booklist
(Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)
In this board-book companion to Ben Loves Bear (2013), prolific author-illustrator offers a female perspective of a young child's day with a beloved toy. Bella and her stuffed bunny (who sleeps in a basket beside her bed) love each other. They wake up, brush their hair, work in the garden, skip and twirl, enjoy a picnic lunch, play the piano and dance, and then get ready for bed l without observable adult assistance. The opening and closing illustrations are full-page watercolor spreads; smaller inset art, set against a white background, appears on the other pages. The simple text correlates perfectly with the cozy, comforting art, and most young listeners will be able to retell the story after hearing it. This makes a good choice for toddler story hours or one-on-one sharing; pair with Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny (2004) or any of Rosemary Wells' Max and Ruby titles.
Kirkus Reviews
A young girl enjoys the company of her stuffed rabbit from sunup to sundown. This companion title to Ben Loves Bear (2013) follows a similar day-in-the-life format. In soft watercolor double-page spreads and smaller vignettes, Bella and Bunny do some gardening, enjoy a picnic and play the piano. McPhail uses simple, descriptive sentences to caption the art and includes bits of humor, such as Bunny's enjoyment of a slice of carrot cake and Bella's rough-and-tumble treatment of her friend. Probably due to issues of size and scale, some children may initially be confused as to whether Bunny is a stuffed animal or not, but Bella and Bunny's warm relationship will draw them in regardless. A lovely depiction of a first friendship. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)
A companion board book to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny shares the sweet story of friendship between a little girl and her beloved stuffed bunny rabbit, from morning till night. Bella and Bunny do everything together. In the morning, they play piano and dance (and hop!). In the afternoon, Bella has lunch and Bunny has carrot cake. At night, they pick out Bella's favorite pajamas and snuggle close until they fall asleep. McPhail's simple text and heartwarming illustrations come together to make an irresistible book that young readers will fall in love with. Praise for Bella Loves Bunny "A lovely depiction of a first friendship." -Kirkus Reviews "The simple text correlates perfectly with the cozy, comforting art, and most young listeners will be able to retell the story after hearing it." -Booklist "With its softly-hued illustrations and simple story that will remind older readers of the simple joys of childhood, this one has high appeal for little ones who enjoy the special stuffed animal toys with whom they spend their days." -Reading Today Online "This successor to McPhail's Ben Loves Bear is a quiet and comforting book, perfect for reading aloud in the last minutes before turning out the lights and saying goodnight." -The New York Times