Seven Little Rabbits by John E. Becker, illustrated by Barbara Cooney Ages 3-6 32 pages Walker Books January 2007 Hardcover     First published in 1972, Seven Little Rabbits is a wonderful children’s book that contains numbers, rhymes and repetition. Children count down from seven to one as each of the little rabbits becomes too tired to complete their journey to Toad’s house. A stretch of road separates this family of rabbits from their friend Toad. It should be possible to walk there in one day, but even with a picnic packed and extras like an umbrella, toys and carrot snacks, the rabbits find the walk to Toad’s house too long. They may have prepared for rain and hunger and boredom, but they didn’t prepare for drowsiness! With sleep on their minds, a visit to Toad’s house turns into a search for the nearest bed - but will a mole’s home hold seven rabbits? The leisurely pace of Seven Little Rabbits makes it perfect for winding down at bedtime. The rabbits take their time picking flowers and taking pictures on their walk to Toad’s house. They get comfortable in the grass as they eat their lunch; during their stop at the creek, one little rabbit can be seen yawning. Children also see that the rabbits’ preparations for bed at Mole’s house resemble their own preparations for bed. Clothes are hung up, snacks are eaten, problems are tended to, then a hush falls over the house as everyone talks in quiet voices and whispers. This story takes readers back to the mole’s house seven times - each time with similar lines of text. This repetition of phrase will catch on easily with children, allowing them to anticipate what’s going to happen next in the story. John Becker's bedtime story proves that friends are never far from our thoughts - even when we're tired. Being tucked in for the night has never sounded so peaceful. John Becker was born in Illinois. In addition to being the author of several books for children, he was also an actor and an art gallery owner. He died in London in the 1980s. Author and illustrator Barbara Cooney (1917-2000) was born in New York. She studied art history in college and etching and lithography at the Arts Students League in New York. She received her first Caldecott Medal in 1959 and her second over twenty years later for Ox-Cart Man. Barbara’s illustrations can also be found in the books Only Opal: The Diary of a Young Girl and Basket Moon.     web reviews   Tanya Boudreau/2009 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)