Dinnertime! by Sue Williams illustrated Kerry Argent**

 I loved reading I Went Walking to my sons when they were babies/toddlers. How I wish I knew about this book back then too!

Fat rabbits frolic about, not aware that a hungry fox is about to pounce. Will they escape and return safely to their burrow? The amount of rabbits decrease with each page, making the reader think they are being eaten. Quite a few surprises and clever word play occur, which will make it fun for the adult reading aloud. I like how the other animals watching the rabbits be pursued equal the amount of rabbits on the page. Plenty of opportunities to count with the child. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits by Douglas Florian illustrated by Sonia Sanchez*

 A perfect read aloud with its rhythm and rhyme

A fictitious account about how rabbits spend their days 

Watership Down DVD by Martin Rosen

 1978-92 minutes

Animated retelling of the novel, Watership Down. My twelve-year-old and I watched it. Although they included the major plot events, some of the events were out of order. My twelve-year-old thought it was a bit graphic (blood squirting etc). This animated film is not for preschoolers!

-Borrowed from the library.

Watership Down by Richard Adams CD**

 Published by Blackstone Audio, Inc

Read by Ralph Cosham

When I was in high school, my friend/neighbor, who attended a private school, had to read specific novels over the summer. Usually she was less than thrill about the assignments. One summer, however, she  told me that I should read one of her novel assignments. . . she actually enjoyed reading it! The novel- Watership Down. In those days my reading choices were more fluff. How surprised I was to discover how much I loved this novel as a teen! It was my delight to share this story with my sons and to re-enter the world of Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig.

Fiver dreams and sees the future. When he insists that he, Hazel and the other rabbits from their warren leave because of impending danger, Hazel knows that the rabbits should flee. Only a few join them. The tiny band traverses the countryside to discover a place to dig and start a new warren. Along the way they encounter a strange warren, develop friendships, and fight battles. Another problem arises when they settle at Watership Down---the male group needs does to ensure the prosperity of their warren!  

The word choice, the sentence structure, the plot and character development are superb. Both of my sons enjoyed it. My youngest thought it was the best audio book we have listened to and really liked the legends that the rabbits told each other! My oldest son appreciated the made-up Lapine language Mr. Adams created and also how the rabbits were realistic even the story was fanastical.

Warnings/points to discuss: d**n a few times, violence, fixation on mating (not graphic!)

**Highly, highly recommend.

I own the physical book. We borrowed the audio book.

Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord

I read this book aloud to my nine year old son.  Since he is relational and loves animals, I figured this book would appeal to him.  He did in fact love it!
All of her life Emma has been homeschooled.  For her fifth grade year, however, she decides to give public school a try.  Her older brother Owen began public school the previous year and adjusted well (He is full of advice!).  The truth is, she misses him and their days together.  Homework, his friends and sports occupy most of his attention.
The night before she begins public school her father, a game warden, receives a phone call concerning a rabbit stuck in a woman's fence.  When she and her father go to rescue it, they soon realize that this rabbit was someone's pet.  They take it to the animal shelter, but no one has reported a rabbit like this one.  With a bit of persuasion, Emma convinces her father to allow her to keep the rabbit until someone claims it.
The book focuses on Emma adjusting to public school, making friends, and discovering what kind of friend she wants to be.  Jack, a student in Emma's class, is autistic. 
The fifth grade pettiness annoyed me (but Ms. Lord is accurately portraying this tumultuous time!).
I appreciated Ms. Lord's insight about her inspiration for the book. 
*Highly recommended by my nine year old.
-Borrowed from the library.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Peter Brown

Award winner- Caldecott Honor Book
My eight year old asked to check this out of the library. 
Jasper Rabbit loves snacking on the wild carrots in Crackenhopper Field.  Then one day he notices them following him home, and they are grinning maliciously at him everywhere-in his bedroom, in the bathroom, in the shed.  Then he devises a plan to keep the carrots from creeping out. 
A funny ending!
-Borrowed from the library.

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Peter Brown

While I was looking online for book ideas, my eight year old peered over my shoulder and saw this book advertised and asked me to request it.
Both my boys liked reading this book to themselves.
Jasper Rabbit shops with his mom to purchase underwear.  At the last minute he convinces his mom to buy him a scary pair of underwear.  At night he becomes scared of the underwear and tries to dispose of it.  Much to his dismay it keeps reappearing!
Strategy: problem/solution
-Borrowed from the library.

Longborrow #1 Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood*

Mr. Larwood is a superb writer--an exciting adventure tale, well developed characters and a satisfying ending.
Someday Podkin, a rabbit,  will be the chieftain of the warren, but instead of training his body and mind, he chooses to sleep and goof off.  Then the Gorm attacks his family's warren and he and his sister Paz and little brother Pook are forced to flee into the unknown.  As they flee, they befriend unique characters who also desire to defeat the evil threatening their land.
Point to discuss: Spiritual beliefs-gods/goddesses of the woods.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Book #2 has been published but unfortunately my county library does not own it.

Zomo the Rabbit by Gerald McDermott*

A Trickster Tale from West Africa
Rabbit visits the Sky God, asking him for wisdom.  The Sky God sends him on a mission to complete three impossible tasks in order to obtain wisdom.
Funny and memorable!
My eight year old read this book to himself as part of our study of Ancient Africa.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Green Ember #1 by S.D. Smith illustrated by Zach Franzen*

Heather and Picket, both rabbits, have spent their childhood days romping in the meadow behind their elm tree home and listening to father's stories about good King Jupiter.  Then one day a mysterious lady rabbit visits their home to talk with their parents and the children are sent to "pick berries".  To their horror, their beloved home is soon in flames and wolves descend into the meadow.  Fearing for their lives, the two siblings run to discover their parents have kept family secrets and even world secrets from them.
During their frantic escape, they meet underground, secret citadels where rabbits are congregating and preparing to overcome the evil that pervades their world.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library (but it was an inter-library loan-not from my county).
Part of a series.

Hurry Up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow

Hare approaches life with quickness while Tortoise meanders through each activity.  Then Hare asks Tortoise to read their favorite book aloud . . .Tortoise really wants to drink his chamomile tea.  Which approach will choose?!
I like the illustrations even more than the story!
*Borrowed from the library.

The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde #3 by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale illustrated by LeUyen Pham*

On their way to eat breakfast with Princess Sneezewort, Princess Magnolia's monster ring goes off.  Frimplepants, her pony, is quite disgusted with the interruptions as he had skipped breakfast in anticipation of the delicious spread with Princess Sneezewort.
Then Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants undergo transformation and are The Princess in Black and Blacky, her faithful pony.  When they arrive on the scene of the monster invasion, The Princess in Black is surprised to view cute, innocent bunnies munching the goats' grass.  Blacky and the goat boy, however, see the bunnies for who they are.  Who will be able to convince The Princess in Black, otherwise?
I like the twist in this one, #3.    The second one was too similar to the first one.   I, however, like this one as much as the first one!
*Highly recommend (for transitional readers).
*Borrowed from the library.

Bear and Bunny by Daniel Pinkwater illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

Bear and Bunny are best friends but feel the need for a pet.  They search the forest and come upon a "kitty" (really a frog) in a tree and adopt him for a pet.  The fact they think the frog is a kitty made my kindergartner belly-laugh!
Mr. Hillenbrand's illustrations, of course, are adorable.
*Borrowed from the library.

Bear and Bunny Grow Tomatoes by Bruce Koscielniak

It is spring and both Bear and Bunny aspire to grow luscious tomatoes.
Bear carefully prepares the earth to plant the seeds and meticulously cares for them throughout their growing season. Bunny, on the other hand, just throws the seeds onto the hard, weedy ground and pays no attention to them.
A great book to discuss work ethic and consequences.
Strategy: compare/contrast
Pair with the fable The Grasshopper and the Ants.
*Borrowed from the library.

Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

Newbery Medal Winner
Is it true?  Are there New Folks moving into the Big House?  The animals on the hill are brimming with hope.  Since the Big House has been abandoned food has been scarce.  Maybe these New Folks will plant a garden?!
Humorous characters will keep the reader entertained as the anticipation of the New Folks rises.  Little Georgie, an adventurous rabbit, adds sweetness to the story.
Great word choice.
Strategies: vocab. expansion, inferring
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.4
Borrowed from the library.

Bear and Hare Go Fishing by Emily Gravett

Bear loves to fish.  Rabbit enjoys other activities that fishing sometimes produces-like eating!
Bear does not experience much success and soon falls asleep.
A funny ending.
Borrowed from the library.

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerrlizzi*

Kenny Rabbit lived with his parents on a sheep farm in the countryside of Roundbrook.  When Kenny's dad announces a dragon has moved in and they must move out, Kenny is off to meet the fellow.  Soon he and Grahame (like the cracker) the dragon become best friends.  Then the townsfolk hear about the newest resident.  Who shall defeat the dragon?  Why, a retired knight George . . . .Kenny's only other friend.
How can Kenny help George and the town folks understand that Grahame will not harm them?
*Highly recommend.
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7
Strategies: expanding vocab./word choice, figurative language
*Borrowed from the library.

Little Rabbit Waits for the Moon by Beth Shoshan illustrated by Stephanie Peel

Before he falls asleep, Little Rabbit wants to make sure the moon is watching over him.  He asks various objects in creation when it will appear.
Someone gave this book to us recently.

The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit retold by David Borgenicht illustrated by Don Daily*

After reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Thorton Burgess, my boys were reminiscing about a ride at Disney World that told the stories of Brer Rabbit.  So we checked out three books containing the classic tales collected by Joel Chandler Harris.
I like this one the best because of the illustrations.
Seven humorous stories will delight readers.
*Highly recommend.
Point to discuss/warning: These are trickster tales so the characters are not always honest.

The Adventures of Peter Cottontail by Thornton W. Burgess illustrated by Harrison Cady

My dad read the entire Thornton Burgess animals series to me as a child.  I loved listening to the stories and have fond memories of those story times with him.
So I was thrilled to find a hardcover at a local bookstore.
In this book Reddy Fox relentlessly pursues Peter but Peter outsmarts him each time.  Peter also learns his lesson in being content in how he was created.
There were some aspects to the story/writing that I did not care for as I reread it to my sons.  Please read the "warnings/points to discuss" section.
Points to discuss/warnings: I did not appreciate the use of the word "stupid" throughout the story.  Animals were often mean to each other.  Mother Nature was credited as the creator and source of life.