Bunns Rabbit

In this dramatic illustrated fable by Barillaro (Where the Water Takes Us), a young rabbit singled out for being different finds notoriety for her bravery following an arduous, mysterious journey. When baby bunny Bunns is born with "two curiously short ears," whispered and thumped disapproval ("It's a bad omen") throughout the warren leads the rabbit elders to banish Bunns's family from the meadow. Determined to change this fate and armed only with her gift for understanding what's inside another creature's heart--their heartsong--Bunns follows a riddle-spouting monarch butterfly into the dangerous Great Forest in search of the Spirit Fox, who can grant wishes. Along the way, Bunns encounters a tiny hummingbird and a gruff loon, each with stories of their own to share about the mythical spirit. Together, the trio of traveling companions navigate danger at nearly every turn. Barillaro skillfully weaves immediate prose and realistic illustrations to depict Bunns's grand voyage via renderings of nighttime and underground shadows, gauzy sky and snowfall, fantastical shape-shifting forms, animals and countryside, and comics-style panels, each element distinguished by hues ranging from poppy to sepia. Ages 8--12. Agent: Janine Kamouh, WME. (Oct.)

Gr 4 Up--Bunns is born with short ears that grant her the ability to hear other creatures' heartsongs (including the monarch butterflies and their riddles) and to speak with Spirit Fox. Her unique ears are a bad omen to the other rabbits, who push Bunns and her family out of the meadow. Bunns sets off to find Spirit Fox, hoping he will give her long ears. Her journey is perilous, but along the way, she saves Hummingbird who introduces her to Loon. Aided by her new friends, Bunns locates the fox, but a foolish mistake raises his ire. Now Bunns must find Spirit Fox's missing monarchs before he destroys the land and consumes her. Fueled by fear and determination, Bunns runs and digs to restore what she and Spirit Fox lost. The narration is accompanied by abundant realistic color illustrations in earthy tones. Spirit animal myths are depicted in graphic panels, along with parts of the narrative. Bunns's journey of self-acceptance follows traditional hero's journey themes. Her adventures, mistakes, and attempts at redemption are relatable. The solid prose can vary greatly between twee and quite dark. The art's softness and picture-book style will hold most appeal for younger readers, though they may be scared of the darker elements of the plot. The conclusion is ominous and implies a sequel. VERDICT A compelling tale, this has appeal for younger readers due to the art, but the dark themes are meant for older ones. A solid general purchase.--Tamara Saarinen

A young rabbit navigates the unknown to help her family. Bunns was born into a loving rabbit family. Her ears are unusually short and rounded--and, as her father says, "We rabbits can be superstitious." The warren's elders indeed regard her short ears as a bad omen. In her first foray out of the burrow, Bunns follows a riddle-telling monarch butterfly to the edge of the Great Forest, where the Spirit Fox greets her. As a consequence, Bunns' family is banished from the meadow. Bunns has a dream in which the Spirit Fox promises her a wish if she proves her courage by heading into the Great Forest alone before sunrise, so she sets off into the darkness. When daybreak comes, Bunns is beset by blue jays and befriended by a hummingbird and a loon. What began as a personal quest begins to seem like an allegory and a spiritual journey, complete with deception and redemption. Bunns undergoes several ordeals, including the loss of her gift of understanding other creatures' heartsongs, before she willingly relinquishes her desire for sameness and belonging. Barillaro's lovely, full-color, soft-focus illustrations effectively capture natural scenes, such as sunlight in a meadow and a herd of deer traversing a winter lake. Some segments, including stories told by the rabbits and birds, appear in comics format. Though the setup for the sequel pulls some power away from the conclusion, Bunns is an appealing hero, and her adventure is compelling. Solid and visually engaging.(Animal adventure. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.