Anne Mortimer

Having hidden all of her beautifully-decorated eggs for the Easter egg hunt, a weary Bunny seeks sleep in this sweet holiday picture book, only to find that every place she tries to lay her head is too disruptive to provide her the peace and quiet she needs. From noisy birds to prickly hedgehogs, quacking ducks to pouncing kittens, Bunny can find no repose, eventually returning to her basket, where she discovers that the source of the noice which drove her from that original napping place has resulted in a new friend: a beautiful newly hatched chick!

I am a great admirer of English author/illustrator Anne Mortimer's artwork, having enjoyed it in numerous feline picture books, from Sue Stainton's Santa's Snow Cat to Margaret Wise Brow's A Pussycat's Christmas. That said, Mortimer's own Pumpkin Cat, the first of her books that I read where she was also the author, was a miss for me, from a storytelling perspective, so I wasn't sure what I would make of Bunny's Easter Egg. I'm glad I gave it a try, as I found it a sweet little seasonal story—a progression tale, in which Bunny is driven out from resting place after resting place, finally finding her way back to where she began, where a lovely surprise is waiting for her. I think this structure works very well, especially when paired with Mortimer's absolutely adorable artwork! Recommended to anyone looking for sweet, heartwarming Easter Bunny stories for younger children, as well as to fans of the artist's work.… (més)

This review published by The Children's Book and Media Review run by Brigham Young University.

Mouse is busy getting everything ready for Christmas. Mouse has to hang lights and holly, hang decorations on the tree, and leave presents under the tree for a special friend. Robin comes to share some gingerbread, and there are lots of other treats to eat and games to play. There are carols to sing with friends, stockings to hang, and Santa to wait for as Mouse celebrates Christmas.

This simple book is written in lose rhyme, not always being exact, but still close enough to have a nice rhythm and sound to it. There is not much of a plot, but the illustrations make up for it. The gorgeous watercolor illustrations of Mouse exploring the house and getting ready for Christmas will please children and the adults who read the book to those children. While some people would appreciate more of a story, many readers will still enjoy the book for its illustrations, poetic feel, and festive spirit.… (més)

After spending the night hiding Easter eggs, a tired little bunny tries to get some rest. Unfortunately, the plain egg she brought back with her starts cracking. The bunny hops away in search of some peace and quiet, but everywhere she goes, there's something to bother her...a chirp, a prickle, a quack. How will the little bunny ever get her rest? Follow her journey as she discovers the perfect resting spot along with a sweet surprise!

The Bottom Line: With snappy verses, the repetition is helpful for new readers. The spring theme is beautifully illustrated as we follow the little bunny and search for 13 carefully hidden Easter eggs. It may seem easy at first, but look carefully; the Easter eggs are hidden well. Little ones ages 3 - 8 will adore this playful, engaging book. Perfect for seasonal storytimes too.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.… (més)