If You Were My Bunny by McMullan, David McPhail (Illustrator), David M. McPhail (Illustrator), David M. McPhail (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Sing the animal lullabies in this book which may be sung to the tunes of "Hush, Little Baby" and "Rock-a-Bye Baby" just to name a few.

Children's Literature

This soothing test was a winner as a picture book and it will continue to be one in its board book form. The reassuring words of motherly love will delight little ones and comfort them as they drop off to sleep. The text can be sung to familiar tunes, which are listed at the end of the book.

Children's Literature

This charming story explores how a mother would take care of her baby, whether it is a bunny, bear, kitten, duckling, puppy, or human. The colorful artwork aptly illustrates the affection shown by mothers to their children. Each different animal lullaby can be sung to a familiar tune, as listed at the end of the book. Part of the "Story Corner" series.

BookList

The sweet, soothing sounds of a mother's words come through loud and clear in this small book. A mother rabbit tells her little ones that she could pick them out from all the other babies, and she sings a bunny version of "Hush, Little Baby," with lines like "if that carrot top should wilt, / Mama's going to bring you a clover quilt." Then a bear, a cat, a duck, a dog, and finally a human mother tell their children how much they love them. McMullan's clever use of familiar songs ("Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Rock-a-bye Baby," among others) adds to the charm of this child pleaser. So do McPhail's pictures, which, though occasionally stiffly executed, are full of tenderness and love. A cuddlesome bedtime choice.

Kirkus Reviews

Familiar lullabies are given a twist by McMullan (Hey, Pipsqueak!, 1995, etc.) in a work that serves as a missing link between board books and more lavish picture books. A bunny, a bear cub, a kitten, a duckling, and a puppy are given a few pages each to be gathered in by their mothers as the day comes to a close, then sung to sleep. Bear whuffles a "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" variation, Rabbit warbles her version of "Hush, Little Baby," and so on. It's all very sweet: "Dearest duckling, close your eyes, crickets chirp your lullabies" to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Dream time, my kitten" to the melody of "Rock-a-Bye Baby." McPhail adds notes of suspense with bolts of lightning and sickle moons. The book begins with "If you were my bunny and I were your mama, I'd pick you out from all the other bunnies and nestle you beside me"; fittingly, therefore, the volume is dedicated in part to "M.W.B."

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