All Together Now (by Anita Jeram)

Together, they play games, and each is the best at a different activity including running, swimming, and acrobatics.

The reader learns of a blended family that calls itself the Honeys and consists of a mother rabbit, her bunny, a duck, and a mouse. While it may be admirable to care for others in need, there is no indication as to why two animals required adoption. Further, there is an absence of emotion and a true sense of nurturing, care, and concern, which would be expected within a family.

Second, the story fails in its effort to highlight the important differences among the group. The contest concludes with the whole group playing the "Great-Big-Feet-Game that they are all best at together." At this point, young readers begin to question both the sincerity of the story and the logic -- obviously, the rabbits have the longest feet. The most successful feature of the book is the watercolor-and-ink illustrations, which feature each character in a multitude of energetic poses.