Bunny Braves the Day

June 1, 2020
A small bunny uses every excuse to avoid the first day of school. From an upper bunk, an older bunny peeks over the edge, excited: "Up and at 'em, Bunny Lump." But the younger one isn't having it. "I'm too tired"; "What if no one likes me?"; "My socks are too short"; "My tummy hurts." The older sib has some solid suggestions, from packing a favorite stuffed animal to wearing something that will calm the jitters, like their own glittery shoes. But even this determined optimist concedes that "Sometimes you just feel like crying before you feel like trying." As the duo joins their mother in the kitchen, the older sibling lists the things the younger one is already good at. Oddly, Mom never speaks, simply snapping a cellphone pic of her kids before a page turn sees them at the classroom door, the older sibling saying, "You're a brave bunny. You can do this." The dialogue-only text is color-coded, red for the elder, who wears a skirt, striped tights, and sparkly mary janes in shades of pink and purple, and blue for the younger, in red Velcro sneakers, a tiger tail, tan shorts, and a blue "super shirt." Mom's in scrubs with green crocs. Faces and body language are expressive, though in one scene, oddly, the older sibling's expression slips, looking sad or sleepy rather than cheerful. Share with those who will be shepherding and calming their own younger siblings on their first days. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 15, 2020
What’s a bunny to do on day one of school when he frets that no one will like him, he can’t tie his shoes, and he can’t read? He can listen to his authoritative but empathic older sister, who (after handing him a pair of Velcro-fastened shoes) responds, “You’ll find a friend. Not all shoes have laces. And teachers love to teach reading.” She patiently assuages Bunny’s fears with reminiscences of her own first-day nerves, which she overcame by, for example, wearing slip-on glitter shoes (“It’s hard to feel jittery when you’re glittery”). Conceding that he’s ready for school, he takes one last stab at postponing the inevitable— “Mom will miss me”—an excuse for which Bloom finds an upbeat, satisfying solution at the close of this heartening sibling tale accompanied by warm mixed-media pictures. Ages 3–7.