Parents' Guide to

My Friend Rabbit

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Award-winning book with great preschool lessons.

Book Eric Rohmann Friendship 2002
My Friend Rabbit Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 2 parent reviews

MissLala
MissLala Parent of 2, 4 and 8-year-old
April 4, 2011
age 3+

An Amazing Book of Freindship

This Book is Great, I love it and so do my children, who are 4 and 8! I definately think anyone with children should own it.
A_Perez
A_Perez Parent of 2-year-old
January 24, 2011
age 5+

Funny animal book for kids

I like the book because it is visual and has a sense of humor. It involves with a rabbit and mouse that they were best friends playing with a toy airplane. But sometimes they end up in trouble. It has a sense of humor how they get the airplane back to them.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Though he means well, Rabbit's exuberance gets him into trouble at times. Still, his friend Mouse lets him fly his toy plane, which of course ends up in a tree. Rabbit's inventive solution to get the plane down doesn't exactly work ... but wait, not to worry, he has a new idea.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

With its strong artistic lines, simple text, and uplifting message, the Caldecott Medal-winner MY FRIEND RABBIT should be a part of every young child's library. Readers will be drawn in by bold, graphic illustrations set within a black-lined frame, but they will stay because of the message. The tale is simple yet poignant, and kids and adults alike will relate.

The primary themes are how to play with the big kids, how to share a treasured toy, how to solve problems for yourself, and whether people will still be your friends when you mess up. All of this is addressed in the simple, supportive friendship of Rabbit and Mouse. Their relationship and Rabbit's shenanigans bring to mind other mischievous but well-meaning characters such as Curious George, the Cat in the Hat and, of course, the Froggy from the series by Jonathan London.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friendship and sharing. How did Mouse feel when Rabbit flew his plane into the tree? Did Rabbit have a good idea for getting it down? Would that really work? Could you think of other ways to get the plane down? Why didn't Mouse get mad at him? How do you feel when you have a new toy? Do you feel like sharing it with just anyone? How about with your best friend? Have you ever wanted to play with something that was special to someone else? Would they share with you? Have you ever broken or lost a toy you have borrowed? What did you do about it? Was Mouse a good friend? What about Rabbit?

Book Details

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