Everybunny Dance by Ellie Sandall
| Everybunny Dance by Ellie Sandall | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Sam Tyler
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| Summary: All the bunnies in this particular group love to dance, play and sing together. Why not join them in this simple, but highly pleasant story to share. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: December 2016 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| ISBN: 9781444919868 | |
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Children's books have a long history of the lion lying down with the lamb when most adults understand that the only thing that the lamb would be lying on is the lining of the lion's stomach. However, there is plenty of time to learn about what creature eats what creature and perhaps we should just allow children to imagine that bunnies like to dance the night away and perhaps even get along with a fox.
Everybunny likes to dance. They also like to play musical instruments and sing together. There is a great community amongst all the Bright Eyes and Cotton Tails, but what about the poor fox? What should all the bunnies do when he pops up? Run and hide, or wait and see what actually happens?
Everybunny Dance is the type of deceptively simple children's book that instantly warms the reader. The book itself contains few words and is more a mood piece. We follow the bunny community as they all join in together dancing, playing instruments and singing. Sandall does not need to use many words when her illustrations do all the talking. Each page is a wide double space that takes in a panorama of rabbits all taking part. The joy of the book is watching them all enjoy themselves or focusing in on individuals to see what they are up to.
The book does eventually have a simple narrative that also has something to teach. The fox is instantly suspected, but keep reading and there is a nice surprise all about acceptance and not allowing someone to be lonely. What I give credit to Sandall for is not skipping the slightly scary double spread. Rather than leap from happy moment to happy moment, there is a single beat that suggests that not all may be well. This can be a little worrisome for the very young, but the book soon opens up for a happy ending. It is important, even in simple children's books with few words that children are given a little something to think about. These scares can be a little titillating but are also great tools for teaching.
With so much to look at and a kind-hearted nature, Everybunny is the type of light fair that will appeal to a happy go lucky child. It may not help teach too much vocabulary, but it does show play and acceptance – two things that a child also needs to learn about. With each double spread being full of funny bunnies, this is one book that will keep being returned to.
Not all bunnies are as happy-go-lucky as those featured here, Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers has an altogether different attitude towards life. We also enjoyed Daisy Plays Hide-and-Seek by Ellie Sandall.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Everybunny Dance by Ellie Sandall at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Everybunny Dance by Ellie Sandall at Amazon.com.
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