"My Friend Rabbit" By Eric Rohmann

1.  Bibliography
Rohmann, Eric.  2002.  My Friend Rabbit.  New Milford, CN:  Roaring Book Press.  ISBN 0761315357

2.  Plot
This is a story about two best friends.  When they play together rabbit seems to always to have troubles.  Even though there are problems they can be worked out with an idea.  Some people might not agree with the idea or be happy about it but that person means well.  Sometimes there can be problems but a person can be a good friend because they try to fix the problems.

3.  Critical Analysis
 The author conveys the story of two very different animals and the problems with friendship through a simple writing style that flows has the reader turns the pages. The imagery of the story conveys the point of the story to the reader.  The point of view is told by the mouse, so that the reader understands the theme of the story.  If it was told by another character the story would not have the same impact.  The story has a climax, but ends with the same problem happening and no resolution.  This type of ending restates the authors plot of the story. 

The illustrations of the story are framed with a black border and bold graphics to keep the readers eye on the action of each scene.  Rohmann slowly reveals the rabbits plan by only showing half of the images on some of the pages to keep the reader guessing.  The characters have wonderful facial expressions and the author has illustrated their movements on the pages.  The reader can see the frustration of the mouse and the dedication of the rabbit to fix the problem. 

This is an excellent fast paced story to share with children about friendship.  When there are problems they can be solved.  Sometimes they are not fixed ,but that person really wants to help.

4.  Review Excerpts
The Caldecott Medal- The Caldecott award in 2003.
Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  "He has taken a creative risk with "My Friend Rabbit."
Kirkus Raviews said,"Best known for fluid, superbly realistic oil paintings, Rohmann ( Prairie Train , 1999, etc) switches to thick-lined colored woodcuts and a simpler pictorial style for this nearly wordless, engagingly wacky episode."


5.  Connections
Great for story times about friendship and problems.  Can show the children that a friend can mean well with their ideas even if they don't work out correctly.
Some other titles about friendship and problems are:
Bruel, Robert O.  Bob And Oto.  ISBN 1596432039
Landa, Norbert.  Sorry.  ISBN 9781561486625