When Baby Lost Bunny by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds

When Baby Lost Bunny by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds
Buy When Baby Lost Bunny by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Ruth Ng
Summary: Full of fun animal noises to make all the way through, this is a great book for sharing with babies and toddlers.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: February 2011
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1846160615
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A little boy goes for a walk with his mum, dad, baby brother and dog. Along the way baby is trying very hard to tell them all something, but they misunderstand him over and over again until, frustrated, he starts to cry. Suddenly his big brother figures out what the problem is and is able to make his baby brother smile again.

Those paying attention to the pictures will see that very close to the beginning, baby drops his bunny toy, and thus begins the trouble. Toddlers will recognise the frustrations of not being understood, and so identify with the poor, increasingly upset baby who can't make himself heard. It's a nice story for sibling relationships, showing the role an older sibling can play with a young baby in helping them be understood, as well as sharing fun family time together.

The book is written in rhyme, with a good flow and rhythm. The format of each page, with the baby making his attempt at a word such as oof oof makes it easy for children to join in with the corresponding animal sound (woof woof!) so there's lots of participation possibilities. It's very simple, so the smallest of toddlers can follow it, but fun enough to engage the older ones too.

Adrian Reynolds has illustrated the book with lots of lovely double-spread scenes with huge blue skies and lush, green grass. The animals are sweet - I especially liked the fuzzy old English Sheepdog who can't see through the fur over his eyes. My favourite picture is the page where the big brother figures out what's wrong with his baby brother and he goes running back to try and find bunny. We seem him rushing off, over the grass, his family far, far in the distance and with his dad running to pursue him too - it reminded me of many similar chases I've had to make when my daughter has suddenly taken off, unexpectedly, across the park!

My four year old enjoyed joining in with all the animal noises with me on this one, and I later caught her 'reading' the story to herself, complete with loud animal sounds, as she'd remembered what happened. A great story to share again and again.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

Further reading suggestion: For another delightful story from this author/illustrator combination try Big Blue Train by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds.

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You can read more book reviews or buy When Baby Lost Bunny by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds 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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