Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hilarious sequel takes Madeline and Bunnys to England.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Barely two weeks after the events of Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire!, Mrs. Bunny decides they need a new adventure and, after a bit of thought, decides that she really wants to be queen. Also, since success depends on talking the current monarch into the idea, the Bunnys are soon en route to England to seek Elizabeth II. So, to their annoyance, is their neighborhood troubemaker, Mrs. Treaclebunny. So, unbeknownst to the Bunnys, are their friend and surrogate daughter (despite the species difference), Madeline, her BFF Katherine, and Madeline's space-cadet parents, who have inherited a sweet shoppe (candy store) in England. Improbable adventures, some involving royalty and other famous persons, ensue.
Is It Any Good?
Author Polly Horvath brings more over-the-top (in a good way) wackiness in this book. Mrs. Bunny chases her dream of being queen, Madeline frets about college, and former flower children Flo and Mildred display unexpected qualities. The plot wends its way through transatlantic ocean liners, country fetes, family castles, and village bookstores, leading to ridiculous, if ultimately satisfying, developments. Sophie Blackall's black-and-white illustrations bring the characters to comical life.
One of the great charms of Lord and Lady Bunny -- Almost Royalty! is Horvath's dialogue, in which a character's speech bounces from, for example, Jane Austen to Sylvester Stallone. "'Mr. Bunny, how you do run on. And if you wanted to be listed as a coauthor, why did you not say so before the book was published?' 'I was waiting for the reviews,' said Mr. Bunny. 'No guts, no glory,' said Mrs. Bunny, and settled back comfortably into her pillows."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories that feature talking animals interacting with people, like Lord and Lady Bunny -- Almost Royalty! What do you think is the appeal of this type of story? How are the animals here like the ones you've encountered in real life, and how are they more like people?
Have you ever been to an author's book signing? What was the book, and how did you like the event? If you haven't, is there an author you'd like to meet in person?
Have you been to British Columbia, where Madeline and the Bunnys live? How did you like it? How was it different from the place you live?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sophie Blackall
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Schwartz & Wade
- Publication date : February 11, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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