Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan and Mike Lowery
| Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan and Mike Lowery | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: A super tale of friendship, falling out and making up, all tied up with an interesting rhyming concept and unique illustrations. Warmly recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: February 2011 |
| Publisher: Bloomsbury | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1408814413 | |
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Frog and bunny are best friends, but from time to time they fall out. However, after a bit of a sulk and a bit of a think, they soon remember why they were best friends again.
Ribbit Rabbit is an intriguing book. It follows a distinctive pattern, with a sentence of plot, then a pun or rhyme based around Ribbit Rabbit, such as rip it, wrap it. It hooks you immediately, and will have you playing along. The story itself is sweet, with frog and bunny acting like all bessie mates do: thick as thieves, then briefly falling out over something insignificant, and getting back together again. Their collective character will strike a chord with all young book fans, but because of the book's concept, we largely miss out on individual characterisation.
Mike Lowery's illustrations are fantastic. As in Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo, they have a unique style, full of energy and humour. They're a joy to pore over, despite their apparent simplicity. The hand-drawn font is great too, tying together the whole feel of the book. Lowery's style is ideal for picture books, and I can't wait to see plenty more from him.
The repetitive format is ideal for very young book fans, but isn't ever remotely boring, and will more than keep the interest of older readers too. It's all but begging you to play around with language yourself and come up with your own rhymes, half-rhymes and puns. Any children just starting to get to grips with rhyming sounds and words in their own speech will particularly enjoy Ribbit Rabbit and will use it as a great jumping-off point for a lifetime of adoring language. Warmly recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
For another rabbit plus one adventure, check out the excellent Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. If unique illustrations are your thing (and if not, why not?) then you'll love Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan and Mike Lowery 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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