The Black Rabbit

PreS-Gr 3—When a little white rabbit leaves his burrow one gloriously sunny day, he see a looming black rabbit. Readers will understand that the figure is only his shadow, but the unknowing bunny runs, with Black Rabbit on his heels. He tries hiding behind a tree and swimming in a river, but the creature is still there, following him to the other side. Desperate, he runs into the deep, dark woods where he finally escapes the black rabbit. But another threat, a wolf, awaits him there, with "two eyes shining brightly," and Rabbit runs back out of the woods with Wolf close on his tail. Will the wolf devour him? Is Black Rabbit still out there, waiting for him? In this simple picture-book tale of light and shadows, the protagonist learns that what frightens us most may turn out to be our saving grace. It's a tad hair-raising at times but the ending will please. Leathers's rabbit is charming, traveling on two feet, with an exaggerated stuffed animal form that is endearing and reassuring.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY