Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple, inclusive tale of easily turning "them" into "us."
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ME AND OTHER BUNNIES begins with a single brown bunny proclaiming on the left-hand page, "I am ME." At the turn of a page that bunny sees a tan bunny on the right-hand page and notes, "you are YOU." Turn the page again, and they are both on the left-hand page, smiling and holding hands, an on the right are the words "we are US." Turn that page, and they are noticing three bunnies, including one using a wheelchair, and the text says, "they are THEM." Turn the page and all those bunnies have joined the two on the left-hand page, and the text says, "now, we are US again." The story continues with more bunnies arriving, in all their glory and differences in fur color and abilities, and "even more THEM!" become "even more of US!" On the last spread, the original brown bunny announces, "and I am still ME!"
Is It Any Good?
This simple story of acceptance shows the joys of welcoming others and not being threatened by those who are different from you. Author-illustrator Mo Willems shows how easy it is to invite strangers in and still maintain your own sense of self. His cute illustrations indicate the bunnies' different fur colors, abilities, interests, and talents. Kids will have fun tracking all the different bunnies' occupations and passions in Me and the Other Bunnies, something kids love to do in the pages of Richard Scarry books.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of "us" and "them" in Me and Other Bunnies. Have you ever thought of kids you didn't know as "them" and then found after you invited them to play that they liked the same things you liked and weren't so different at all? What happened?
The bunnies in the large group have many different interests and skills. What are the things your friends and family members like to do? Are some good at sports? Do some do art?
Do you prefer friends who are just like you, or is it fun to get to know people who might look or act a bit differently? Do you have a friend or a brother or sister who's quite different from you but you find that you like the same things and get along?
Can being curious about other people help you make friends? If yes, how does it help? Were any of the bunnies curious in this book? What happened to them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Mo Willems
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Union Square Kids
- Publication date : February 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 6
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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