Little Rabbit's Big Surprise
Colour Fiction, Book 1
Author: Swapna Haddow
, Illustrator: Alison Friend
£5.99
In stock
Buy from Bookshop.orgLittle Rabbit is bored. Her brothers and sisters are busy with chores and her friends are out collecting worms. Her grandfather, Big Rabbit, offers to make her his assistant for the day – he’s got lots of work she can help him with. Little Rabbit laughs; her grandfather doesn’t have a job – he spends all day with his friends. “Why don’t you come with me and see?” replies Big Rabbit.
First they visit Mole, who has a problem with his dark tunnels, before hopping over to visit Granny Hedgehog, who’s suffering with a rather nasty cold. As they’re leaving they meet Dormouse who’s struggling to keep his babies happy while he forages for twigs for their nest. The last stop is Squirrel’s den, but the usually acrobatic Squirrel has sprained her paw. After helping her, they head home – what a busy day! In the morning Little Rabbit wakes to find her grandfather has left her a list of things to collect. Little Rabbit’s excited, certain that the things are for making a kite, but she’s in for a big surprise.
A heartwarming story about helping others and spreading kindness.
"Little Rabbit is so sweet! I love the short chapters giving uses the flexibility to read the whole book in one go or break it down over a few bedtime sessions"
Books Up North
"A heartwarming story about helping others and spreading kindness"
Toppsta
"Haddow's cuddly, caring story speaks loudly and resonantly about helping others and spreading kindness, while Friend's adorable illustrations will melt the hearts of everyone, young or old."
Lancashire Evening Post
"Little Rabbit's Big Surprise would make a fabulous addition to an Early Years / Key Stage One classroom book box or a home library. It isn't a chapter book, the story is written in small chunks of text on each page which makes it less daunting for a reluctant or less confident reader."
StorySnug
"This is a lovely story about helping others and being useful and valued, whether young or old... The shiny coloured paper makes them a joy to read and enhances the feel of picture books rather than chapter books, to fit with the purpose of the series. Perfect to instill a love for books."
Parents in Touch
"A charming tale of a young rabbit visiting her woodland neighbours... Along the way they realise the value of family, community, and the challenging lives of squirrels and dormice."
Cumbria Life Magazine
"This is a serious story about helping and responsibility, and the illustrations are gentle for this more sensitive story."
Books for Keeps
"A lovely full-colour crossover book to bridge the gap between picture and chapter book. An adorable story which newly independent readers will love."
Angels and Urchins
"An ideal story to bridge the gap between picture books and independent reading, Little Rabbit's Big Surprise is beautifully presented as a small format hardback with glossy pages and full-colour illustrations on every page. The progression of the story is simple, with a recurring theme to aid understanding and reading development."
BookTrust
"The animal characters have been personified and are full of emotion, sighs and gestures. Young children will relate to Little Rabbit. This is a great introduction to chapter books for children ready for the next step in reading. The short passages of text are all accompanied by beautiful watercolour illustrations. There is a familiar pattern to each interaction and this all helps readers to follow along the longer format of story-telling."
The Sapling
Meet the author
Swapna Haddow
Swapna’s debut novel, DAVE PIGEON, was selected for the Guardian’s Best New Children’s Books 2016 and shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award 2016. Swapna lives in New Zealand with her s…
Meet the illustrator
Alison Friend
Alison has loved painting and drawing for as long as she can remember. She studied Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University and after graduating spent the next three years working as an apprentice ston…