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Amelia is the biggest bunny in her class. When the kids line up by size to go to the gym, the library or the cafeteria, she always ends up being last in line. She’s too big to play jump rope with the other kids (they can’t turn the jump rope high enough for her) or hopscotch (her feet are too big for the squares) or go on the seesaw.
Her parents assure her that she stands out in the crowd, but she doesn’t want to stand out. So she learns to play by herself and grows to like it.
One day, she has a new classmate - a very small bunny named Susannah. The smaller bunny can’t play with the other kids, either. They can’t turn the jump rope low enough for her, her feet are too small for hopscotch, and she’s too light for the seesaw. Susannah’s attempts to befriend Amelia are initially rebuffed, but when Susannah shows Amelia that standing out doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, a friendship blossoms between them.
A Very Big Bunny by established children’s author and illustrator Marisabina Russo makes a good starting point for a discussion about accepting and celebrating differences. The conversational tone of the text makes it easier for young children to relate to the main characters. The attractive, brightly colored artwork is a nice touch.
This is a solid and thoughtful book, although I didn’t find it to be a standout.
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A Very Big Bunny