by Moe Zilla

Created on: May 26, 2010

"Big Bad Bunny has long sharp claws… Scritch! Scritch! Scritch! "

It's such a strange premise for a children's picture book - but that's what makes it entertaining. Author Franny Billingsley immediately switches to a peaceful domestic scene "over in the Mouse House," where Mama Mouse is seen tucking her babies into bed. But then - "Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!" The scene switches back to Big Bad Bunny, and his pointy yellow teeth. And then back to Mama Mouse, who kisses her little baby mice goodnight, telling each one that she loves them…

The pointy/yellow-toothed bunny stomps through a rushing stream, and splashes his way through a mucky swamp. But Mama Mouse is still performing her bedtime ritual, tucking in Little Flurry and tucking in Little Tippy. She realizes little Baby Boo-Boo is missing, and rushes out into the forest. Oh no, that's where Big Bad Bunny is! Now he's stomping through the thick, tangly bushes…

The illustrations (by G. Brian Karas)  are simple sketches filled with pastel colors that keep the tone playful. And the book will be even less threatening once children know its surprise ending. It turns out that Mama Mouse is just as relentless in crossing rushing streams and mucky swamps to find her missing Baby Boo-Boo, and she even pushes her way through those thick, tangly bushes. And meanwhile, Big Bad Bunny is stopped, when he reaches a steep, slippery hill - and then realizes he's lost.

As Mama Mouse gets closer to Big Bad Bunny, you start to suspect that he's not as dangerous as he seems. He squeals "Eek! Eek! Eek! Eek!" as he stands forlornly at the edge of the giant hillside, and when you turn the page, the book reveals his true identity. "Boo-Boo! My own Baby Boo-Boo! At last I found you," says doting Mama Mouse."

"I'm not Baby Boo-Boo…! I'm not a baby… I'm Big Bad Bunny" the sniffling child-mouse replies. He's wearing a yellow bunny costume, and his mother tenderly takes his paw and escorts him home. They walk together - yes, through the thick tangly bushes, and the mucky swamp, and the rushing stream… I thought the juxtaposition throughout the book was clever, and it all pays off with a very sweet ending. Back at home, Mama Mouse tucks her final child into bed. And then she whispers…

"I love you, Big Bad Bunny, and I always will."

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