Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple counting book a nice surprise from the late Sendak.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
TEN LITTLE RABBITS starts with a black-and-white line drawing of young boy named Mino (we learn from the book jacket) dressed as a magician and holding a wand, standing alone against stark white background next to a podium marked with an M. He takes off his top hat, bows, places the hat on the podium, and out pops a yellow rabbit. Below them is the number 1. On the next page he waves his wand again and a blue bunny pops up, and the number 2 appears on the page. The pattern continues all the way to 10, with the boy getting increasingly overrun by rabbits, including white and gray ones, until he's completely covered by them. On the facing page the first line of text appears: "So then -- He made them vanish again!" A backward countdown begins, and one by one the rabbits disappear, with the boy becoming increasingly calm and happy. Finally he's down to 1, then elated on the facing page, where the text reads "None." The next page he takes a bow, and the facing page says, "All done." The final page shows the smiling, contented magician walking away.
Is It Any Good?
This simple, charming story works both as a counting book for little ones and a funny look at frustration and feeling overwhelmed. Ten Little Rabbits offers giggles as a read-aloud but could also be enjoyed independently by pre-readers who can follow the story through the visuals. Kids may relate to the emotional content, as it shows how it feels to try your best but get overcome when you lose control of a situation. Adults expecting a dark, edgy twist, as often comes in a Maurice Sendak book, won't find one here. It's all pure, whimsical fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how things get out of control for the boy magician in Ten Little Rabbits. Is there such a thing as too many bunnies? Have your ever been in a situation where you lost control? What happened?
Have you ever seen a magician perform a magic act? Did you wonder how it was done? Do you think it was real magic or a trick?
What can you do if you feel things are getting out of control? Take deep breaths? Ask for help? Quit and try again later? What are some challenges that require patience and perseverance?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Maurice Sendak
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Numbers and Letters
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper Collins Publishers
- Publication date : February 6, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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