Little Rabbit's Christmas by Harry Horse

Little Rabbit's Christmas by Harry Horse
Buy Little Rabbit's Christmas by Harry Horse at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Summary: Little Rabbit doesn't want to share his Christmas present - a beautiful red sledge - but when he crashes and breaks the sledge he finds that he needs others and that it's actually a lot more fun. Recommended.
Buy? Maybe	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: 4 Oct 2007
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN: 978-0140569636
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On Christmas Eve Little Rabbit saw the only present that he wanted - a beautiful red sledge. It's all he can think about and he doesn't even want to help his brothers and sisters to decorate the Christmas tree. In the morning the only presents in his stocking are a bouncy ball, a yo-yo and a pair of mittens, but his disappointment fades when his father points to the red sledge outside on the snow. He refuses to put his mittens on, doesn't want to look at anyone else's presents and won't allow the other rabbits to ride on the sledge with him. He climbs higher and higher to make the sledge go faster and faster - until finally he crashes and the sledge is broken.

This is a delightful tale, as you would expect from the late Harry Horse. Little Rabbit shows all the selfishness of childhood and disregard for others. When he pays the price for it he finds that he does need the help of his brothers and sisters - and what a lot of brothers and sisters there are! It's a gentle story with the moral wrapped up in some detailed and quirky illustrations. Look out for the shops in the boles of trees - the greengrocer even has his fruit and vegetables outside - or the rabbit snowman.

There will be quite a few children who don't want to share Christmas presents and this book will gently show that there are real benefits to sharing and that it's actually a lot more fun when everyone plays together. There's very little fun in playing on your own.

Following Harry Horse's death in January 2007 it's likely that this will be the last of the Little Rabbit series, which is a great pity. They've all been stories which look to a gentle, happy way of life with what might be termed old-fashioned values and a caring for the people and the world around us. You could always recognise Little Rabbit with his blue suit and knack of getting things completely wrong. He's been a reassuring character for many a child, who's found out that he's not the only one going to school for the first time, coping with a new baby or even wanting to run away from home. They're stories about children testing the boundaries but they're always allowed to work the answer out for themselves. The stories never preach, never blame. They simply show that there's a happy, simple way out of life's dilemmas.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending this book to The Bookbag.

For another book about sharing at Christmas you might like Emma Chichester Clark's Melrose and Croc: Together at Christmas.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Little Rabbit's Christmas by Harry Horse at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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