Uh-oh! Rabbit

PreS--The rabbit from the classic brainteasers, a black shadow that seems like it could be a duck if squinting your eyes just right, is going on outlandish adventures. Just as those brainteasers add a splash of unexpected to images, these books add entertaining twists to essential learning concepts. In Uh-Oh, Rabbit, readers learn the ins and outs of up and down with simple illustrations. While the words never veer away from "Rabbit up, rabbit down," the pictures shown get increasingly outlandish, with Rabbit skiing and diving their way through the world. Yippee! Rabbit does the same with "go" and "stop," showing Rabbit's tasks getting out of hand through sheer enthusiasm. VERDICT An ideal read-aloud, with simple sight words and plenty of humor for babies to kindergartners.

Upsetting expectations is the name of the game. Bunnies from artist Ham's line of silhouetted rabbits appear in a book ostensibly about opposites. In the first sequence, two bunnies, black silhouettes against a white background, are on a seesaw. "Rabbit up," reads the text. But when the words Uh-oh! appear, we see that the seesaw has tipped back precipitously, leaving one bunny's rear in the air. "Rabbit down," it finishes, and the other rabbit is now hanging off its side. This pattern of up and down prepositions is repeated in other scenarios--a bunny jumping on another in a pool and a ski jumper taking a tumble--but it's the last sequence that gives the audience a surprise. As a small bunny with a backpack goes down a slide, we know something is bound to go wrong. Indeed, the big bunny at the bottom appears to be distracted, but in a delightful twist, the last line reads, "Rabbit up," and the little bunny is launched up toward the big bunny's arms. Each rabbit is thoroughly imbued with personality, making the book's finale a particular treat thanks to its unexpected nature. Expect requests for rereads. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Simple storytelling with a twist ending makes this perfect for the youngest of bunnies. (Picture book. 2-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.