*A finished hardcover copy of THE BACKUP BUNNY was sent to me for free by the publisher NorthSouth Books via its publicist company, Nicole Banholzer LLC, for an honest review. All thoughts here are my very own. Any problems, concerns, questions, etc. please contact me via email - thebumblegirl@rocketmail.com - Thank you!
Written by Abigail Rayner
Illustrated by Greg Stones
Release date: March 6th, 2018
Published by: NorthSouth Books
Genre: Children's Picture Books
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Format read: Hardcover
SUMMARY
Everybody needs a backup plan, especially when you lose your favorite toy.
When Max loses his favorite toy - Bunny - his clever mom brings out the "backup bunny" - Fluffy - to save the day. Fluffy is thrilled to have the chance to play with Max but is soon rejected by the observant child who notices that his ears are too new and perky.
Can Fluffy find a way into his favorite boy's heart?
THE BACKUP BUNNY will keep you laughing and inspire you to make room for another favorite story.
OUR REVIEW
*A finished hardcover copy of THE BACKUP BUNNY was sent to me for free by the publisher NorthSouth Books via its publicist company, Nicole Banholzer LLC, for an honest review. All thoughts here are my very own.
This is such a sweet, thoughtful, tender-hearted book!
THE BACKUP BUNNY is about an adorable stuffed "backup bunny" named Fluffy that secretly lives inside Max's Mom's sock drawer just in case something is to happen to Max's current bunny (named Bunny). Fluffy has been dreaming for the day when Max's favorite stuffed toy goes missing and he can be the one to play and comfort Max... and when that time finally comes, Fluffy is ready! However, Max isn't too happy having a replacement. And now Fluffy has to prove that he's just as good as Bunny ever was, if not more - he's waited long enough and he deserves a chance! But when Max is still upset over losing Bunny, Fluffy only wants what is best for Max and helps him out in the best way... you'll have to read the book to find out how!
We enjoyed Fluffy and Max's story so much! It was completely relatable and reminded us to take special care of our favorite treasures...
My 4 1/2-year-old has a little-stuffed monkey named Baby and she has been with him since he was just a few months old. And I knew right away that this was going to be his best friend... One night, we misplaced Baby and couldn't find her. I knew then that I waited too long to go back to our local store for a replacement. Luckily, we found her the next day (behind the couch) and I immediately went onto my social media and asked my amazing Instagram followers for help. Within the next few days, we were so lucky to not only have one backup monkey but THREE! And four years later, we have only lost one backup; we still have the original and TWO other backups. Recently, my son discovered the backups and found it extremely funny to have so many. He gifted one to his youngest cousin who is only a few months old, the same age he was when he received his first one!... What I'm rambling on about is - I feel that there is a time and place for young children to learn lessons about "love and loss". And as a seasoned mother who has been through this a few times now (my older sons are now 12 and 14 1/2), having to explain this lesson at this tender young age is too hard and devastating! When your little one loses their "stuffy" it is heartbreaking and there is hardly a way to get them to understand that "it was meant to be", or that it is "time to grow up", or that it was "time to let him go" and that "he's gone home", etc. It is a life-changing moment where your child's confidence will be shaken up, his belief, his imagination, etc. are all being questioned and falling apart. They're still too little to be put through such turmoil. Just like they need their parents/loved ones there for them, they are depending on this inanimate object to also be there for them when they need comfort, love, and trust.
When Max has what looks to be a tantrum, Max's mom tries her best to make him feel better, gives him Fluffy (the new replacement) and tries to comfort him. I 100% do not feel that she is rewarding tantrum behavior (I've seen a few reviews mention this), I feel that she is doing what needs to be done to comfort her heartbroken child. He has lost something extremely important to him, losing something that may have been by his side since birth is crushing. How else would he react to all of a sudden not having it by his side? How would you feel, even as an adult, losing your "comfort thing"?
This is the perfect book to give to new parents, as a heads-up for what they may encounter through the toddler years. A helpful hint to prepare themselves in case of a Bunny/Fluffy situation... the book will also help bring the subject up with your/the child in case anything were to happen to their "lovey". It will help them be more responsible in caring for their things. However, if they still lose it, I'm sure that the outcome will still be the same, but the book can help ease the pain when introducing the new "dolly" to the family... and if you find the original, be prepared to probably be naming and playing with both from now on!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Abigail Rayner
Abigail Rayner was born in England where they have lots of history and rain. She spent her childhood visiting castles, picnicking in cars, and getting told off for writing stories during math. When she grew up, she became a reporter and moved to New York City. It was her job to write stories, but not the made-up kind! These days she lives in New Jersey, with her wonderful husband, two brilliant kids, two terrible cats, and an ever-growing collection of stuffed rabbits. She never gets in trouble for writing stories.
LINKS: GOODREADS
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR - Greg Stones
Greg Stones was born in Glocester, Rhode Island where a man is a man, a woman is a woman, and babies are sent into the forest at the age of six months to be raised and educated by squirrels. he eventually broke free and went to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. While at school, he majored in Studio Art, learned to paint photo-realistically, and was the cartoonist for the school paper. Two years after graduating, he began combining his pretty landscapes with his cartooning skills - adding penguins, zombies, and now bunnies to his work.
He lives and works in Rhode Island.
LINKS: GOODREADS
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