MY FRIEND RABBIT

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:Rohmann, Eric. 2002. MY FRIEND RABBIT. Ill. by Eric Rohmann. Roaring Book Press.ISBN 0761324208.

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
Eventhough Rabbit means well, his exuberance gets him into trouble at times. His friend Mouse lets him fly his toy plane, which ends up in a tree, but with Rabbit's brilliant idea to get it down doesn't exactly work. He still has a new idea and good intentions, in which Mouse supports him through it all.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Eric Rohmann’s Caldecott Medal book relates to several key virtues, in which the main one is friendship. Mouse is a loyalty friend who has no allusions to his friend’s faults but chooses to support him through many troubles. Rabbit is a creative and persistence character that as soon as a problem arrives he instantly has an idea. Unfortunately his ideas are usually followed by trouble. The strong artisitc bold lines, simple text, graphic illustrations set within a black-lined theme, and uplifting message that Rohmann used in this book helps get the attention of readers. This allows the reader to focus on the brillant colors and detailed illustrations of the characters. Rohmann did an excellent job in addressing the supportive friendship of Rabbit and Mouse.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
*Caldecott MedalBooklist: “Tremendous physical humor delivers a gentle lesson about accepting friends as they are.”
*Horn Book: “…visually exciting—Rohmann’s hand-colored relief prints make fresh and innovative use of picture book space—and broadly humorous.”
*Publishers Weekly: “this gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings.”

5. CONNECTIONS:
*Discuss with children the meaning of friendship and other key virtures used in the story.*Have children discuss Mouse and Rabbits relationship as well as other mischief that could have happen in the story. *Create a different ending of the story by predicting different ways Rabbit and Mouse could get out of the tree.
*Other books for children about friendships:
*Lobel, Arnold. FROG AND TOAD ARE FRIENDS. ISBN 1559942290
*Clark, Emma. WILL AND SQUILL. ISBN 1575059363
*Silverstein, Shel. THE GIVING TREE. ISBN 0060256656