Runaway Bunny (1942)

"I will become a fish in a trout stream and I will swim away from you", said the young bunny
"If you become a fish in a trout stream, I will become a fishman and I will fish for you" said the mother bunny."If you become a fishman, I will..."


The story is a series of what-if hide and seek with lively rhythm. At the first reading (at 3+), the child will be able to grasp the rhythmic sentences, and repeat some of them. On the second reading, if you paused at "I will..." and point to the illustrations, the child will likely help complete the rest of the sentence with great sense of engagement.

There is some subtle message, not necessarily intended by the author. The love to children is so unbounded that the mother bunny embraces any imaginative changes expressed by the child, playing an acknowledging and guiding role. To the child, there is nothing more comfort than getting such support and the willingness to consider their needs - even though the playful needs of "running away".

Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Clement Hurd
Suitable: 2-6, Nursery, Kindergarten
Format: Hardcover
Size: 8.8 x 10.3in, 22x26cm, like landscape A4
Pages: 48

Singapore: NLB,
Kinokuniya (S$15.45, Board Book instead of Hardcover)
Amazon: Here