Little Bunny Foo Foo: Told and Sung by The Good Fairy by Paul Brett Johnson (Illustrator), Paul Brett Johnson (Translator)

From the Publisher

the familiar verses of this irresistible song are maintained, but with a few added surprises. Here, it's not just field mice that suffer Little Bunny Foo Foo's mischievous tricks, but woodchucks, foxes, and grizzly bears! and as Little Bunny Foo Foo's subjects grow, so do his scooping methods, from lasso to tractor bucket to crane. All the while, Little Bunny Foo Foo takes his naughtiness to hyperbolic heights as the good fairy — riotously rendered as a possum — points out the error of his wayward ways. painted in a warm, folksy style with vibrant colors, johnson strikes just the right balance between the joys of being bad and a tongue-in-cheek lesson in behavioral reform.

Publishers Weekly

In this escalating tale of misbehavior, based on a children's song, Little Bunny Foo Foo pelts woodland animals with "yucky-mucky mud pies." He rides a red wagon and mini-motorcycle in pursuit of smaller creatures, then upgrades to a tractor and crane to chase bigger game. A rhythmic refrain names his victims: "Little Bunny Foo Foo/ Hoppin' through the forest/ Scoopin' up the field mice/ And boppin' 'em on the head." The delinquent's gleeful antics are observed by a pointy-nosed, outraged opossum in a gaudy purple-and- yellow tutu. This foolish-looking "good fairy" wags her finger and scolds, "Little Bunny Foo Foo/ I don't wanna see you/ Scoopin' up the field mice/ And boppin' 'em on the head." She gives him three chances, "or I'll turn you into a goon!" (The threat leaves readers understandably curious for the outcome.) Unbowed, the bratty rabbit attacks woodchucks, foxes and bears, forcing the fairy to wave her wand and leave him dressed as a circus clown. Johnson (The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down), who favors rustic tricksters in the Br'er Rabbit mold, styles the impish title character as a rubbery-limbed joker while asserting that the animals get "bop[ped] on the head" with nothing worse than drippy brown mud. The opossum's wrath provides an effective buildup, but the culminating one-liner ("Hare today, goon tomorrow") ends on a humdrum note, with the mud-spattered crowd laughing on a variegated green hillside. Ages 2-5. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 4-Johnson adds humor and wit to this storytime favorite. The Good Fairy, who is credited on the front cover as a cocreator, narrates the story of naughty Little Bunny Foo Foo, who scoops up field mice, woodchucks, foxes, and bears and bops them on the head. In this version, the rabbit hits them with mud pies. The Good Fairy, an opossum in a tiara, a purple-and-yellow dress, and purple pumps, gives the rabbit three chances to be good, but when he persists, she keeps her promise and turns him into a goon. He now looks like a clownish caricature of himself, complete with red fuzzy hair and baggy pants. The text is folksy and the familiar lyrics are printed in purple. The lively illustrations convey action and hilarity: the mischievous bunny chases after the unsuspecting animals in various modes of transportation ranging from a red wagon to a full-size crane. Covered with mud, the animals angrily shake their paws at the rabbit, who feigns remorse, and they chuckle and dance with glee when he turns into the silly goon. Music, lyrics, and suggestions for movements are included. A twist on a traditional song, this book is sure to tickle the funny bones of young listeners and their adult friends.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The Good Fairy doesn't like tomfoolery. Little Bunny Foo Foo's not a bad bunny, but he has mischief on his mind and a bunch of mud pies in his possession. He bops a group of field mice on the head and gets a warning from the Good Fairy. He has three chances and then she'll turn him into a goon. He doesn't listen and goes after woodchucks, foxes, and bears with his mud pies. Of course, the Good Fairy makes good on her threat. Johnson's rendition of the classic children's song is charming. His signature cartoonish illustrations are a perfect match, and turning the song into a narrative by the Good Fairy adds to the fun. The music and hand motions are included on the last page. Storytimers will be singing along from page one. (Picture book. 2-6)

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