"The pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations are soothing and set the perfect atmosphere for this calm book . . . This engaging story will be enjoyed in one-on-one readings or in a preschool storytime about solving problems." - School Library Journal
"The anthropomorphization and bucolic setting recall Beatrix Potter; like hers, these rabbits are a near-perfect blend of rabbit and human. A charming story of perseverance that's rooted in simplicity and nostalgia." - Kirkus Reviews
"An intriguing combination of Beatrix Potteresque delicacy and expansive scale-the images feel big and small at the same time, assuring diminutive readers that home is not only a refuge from the world, but also a world that's all their own." - Publishers Weekly on WHEN THE WORLD IS READY FOR BED
"Shields's sweet, melodious rhyme and Currey's warm, lively watercolors trace the evening of a very appealing rabbit family... Children will be glad to snuggle up and be softly lulled to sleep by this soothing selection." - Kirkus Reviews on WHEN THE WORLD IS READY FOR BED
"Nothing says bedtime like bunnies in a country cottage... at the end... a bright morning scene—'Always lovely, / Always new, / Tomorrow's waiting /Just for you.'—...does more to comfort than wake up sleepy listeners." - Booklist on WHEN THE WORLD IS READY FOR BED
"Expectant parents will love this as a gift, little ones will warm to the reassuring story of each baby’s importance and bunny-rabbit aficionados will take this charming tale to heart." - starred review, Kirkus Reviews on WHEN THE WORLD WAS WAITING FOR YOU
"Shields’s short, rhyming couplets are complemented by Currey’s warm, sunshine yellow watercolors. . . . The colorful paintings are full of detail yet create a peaceful atmosphere and are the perfect background to the simple, relaxed text. . . . Tender picture book is perfect to share with new siblings who are impatient to greet a little one of their own." - School Library Journal on WHEN THE WORLD WAS WAITING FOR YOU
02/01/2018
Toddler-PreS—The rabbit family from When the World Is Ready for Bed and When the World Was Waiting for You are back in this book about friendship. The four bunny siblings love to play. Albert loves to run and jump, Tom likes playing pretend, and "Flossie was a great inventor." Of course, the baby just likes lying around. One day, they realize they need to make new friends to play with. Luckily, a family of squirrels has just moved in across the stream. The rabbits and squirrels are all too small to cross the stream though, so the rabbits quickly come up with a plan to meet their new buddies. The pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations are soothing and set the perfect atmosphere for this calm book. VERDICT This engaging story will be enjoyed in one-on-one readings or in a preschool storytime about solving problems. While there is nothing groundbreaking here, this is a sweet addition for most early childhood collections.—Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library,WI
2017-10-30
A rabbit family and a squirrel family want to be friends, but a stream separates the two.The hopalongs introduced in Shields and Currey's previous works (When the World Was Waiting for You, 2011, etc.) are growing up. Siblings Albert, Tom, and Flossie love to play (baby Pipkin does too, but mostly just with his toes). The members of this sweet rabbit family enjoy one another's company, but sometimes they long for friends to play with too. When a scurry of squirrels moves in next door, it seems the perfect solution. But their house is on the other side of the wide stream. How will the young rabbits get across? Luckily, each rabbit has a particular strength to their personality that helps them in their journey. They brainstorm, try possibilities, and, most importantly, make new friends. The young rabbits' determination and grit shine through. "When the world / is ready to play, / Friends are near / if you find a way…." Currey's expansive watercolor scenes are filled with playful pops of colors and patterns found in the rabbits' toys and wardrobe. The anthropomorphization and bucolic setting recall Beatrix Potter; like hers, these rabbits are a near-perfect blend of rabbit and human.A charming story of perseverance that's rooted in simplicity and nostalgia. (Picture book. 3-6)
