Module 4: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

Book Summary: Rabbit Hill is a story about animals that live on and around the land of the Big House. Folks haven't lived in the Big House in awhile until now. The animals are excited about the new Folks but are also unsure of what kind of Folks they will be.

APA Citation: Lawson, R. (2007). Rabbit hill. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Impressions: Rabbit Hill is a charming book about animals, nature, and humans' interaction with both animals and nature. I was surprised by how quickly I got invested in the story and the adventures that Georgie and his family and the other animals found themselves on. Not a lot happens compared to more modern children's stories, but I loved how the characters interacted with each other.

One issue I did find with the book was that there were very few female characters. The female character that is the closest to a main character was Georgie's mother, who was panic-ridden and constantly nervous.

Even with this, I still found the book to be charming. It was a quaint charming but one that I find myself thinking fondly of after finishing it.

Professional Review: Lawson is difficult to place so far as his juvenile audience is concerned. Frankly, I think he is definitely adult -- even in the stories he presumably writes for juniors. This is a somewhat too whimsical story of the animals on Rabbit Hill and their excitement when they learn that "New Folks" are coming to live in the "Big House". They are thrilled when they find in use an old fashioned uncovered garbage can, no sign of traps, spring guns or other lethal weapons, and only a harmless tiger-striped gray cat as a pet. Then the climax comes when a sign goes up "Please drive carefully on account of small animals" -- and a statue of St. Francis is set up to preside over a ledge where a morning banquet for the little creatures is placed. And the result? The little animals are wholly satisfied and no longer destroy what is not theirs -- and even leave a flourishing garden for the new folks. The Lawson illustrations are sure to capture the hearts of all prospective purchasers -- but as a story, it doesn't quite come off.

Kirkus Review. (2011). [Review of the book Rabbit hill by R. Lawson]. Kirkus review. Retrieved February 14, 2015 from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/robert-lawson-1/rabbit-hill/

Library Uses: This could be used in a display about anthropomorphic books or even an Easter display, showcasing different books about rabbits and spring.