The Scariest Thing of All

PreS-K—Pip lives in a charming, snug burrow with his busy family members. But the young rabbit is fearful of many things, and "being scared all the time was very hard work." Awakened from a nap in the family garden one day by a strange "Raar" sound, he flees in terror only to find himself alone in a dark, scary forest, the "Raar" sound still echoing. When Pip realizes that it is really only his tummy growling, he stands tall with a new inner confidence that bravely propels him home past the giant wood troll, a leggy wiggler, and a pond gobble—just in time for dinner. The detailed watercolor and ink illustrations appeal in their depiction of a cozy animal world with the right touch of spookiness for very young children. While the story line is slight, the expressive language succeeds in creating enough tension for a fun read-aloud that will hold children captive.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT