Today I was surprised to find I received my copy of the book
The
Easter Bunny That Grew Up in
the mail, having arrived earlier than I expected. I was looking
forward to seeing what it was like. I heard and read all this stuff
about the rabbit Flopsy Parker and his legacy with his mom, Gretta
Parker, having started the non-profit organization "Baskets for
Bunnies". This organization helps out Rabbit Rescues and Shelters in
many ways, where it is most needed. For further info on Baskets for
Bunnies, Flopsy and Gretta Parker you can read more about them on other
posts
click here and
click here . There you will find links that go
directly to their pages as well.
This
book is written by Gretta Parker and illustrated by Maya Tolliver. The
book which I received is a very nice paperback edition, which has an
adorable cover picture of Flopsy Parker, the bunny adopted by the
book's author. The story is not written with simple words such as a
first grader might read by one's self. The story and words read from
the rabbit's point of view, which can be very insightful to the child
reading it,having it read to them or to anyone actually reading it.
One thing I like about this is that I believe a child (or anyone for
that matter) can read or be read to from this book and relate to the
rabbit's experience. A child can relate to the world of the rabbit from
wanting to be loved and viewing their own world and coming to
conclusions based on the limited experiences they have lived through.
The approach this book takes though also has a very reassuring tone in
the upheaval Flopsy Parker, the bunny, experiences in his former life
when he was known as Marshmallow and the transitions he experiences as
he moves past that to become Flopsy.
Flopsy starts out
as Marshmallow when bought as a baby bunny at a pet store as an Easter
gift. He is cute and affectionate so the family are at first loving and
affectionate with him. As time goes on, as with many holiday gifts, the
novelty of the gift wore off. Being able to see from Marshmallow's
point of view, he is not a toy that may be set aside and perhaps
luckily picked up later, the bunny is a warm, living and loving social
creature that has feelings! The story goes on as he goes on a car trip
with his family to a place that he thinks might be the vet, but instead
turns out to be an animal shelter. The story goes on to discuss the
rest of his time at the animal shelter and after what seemed to be much
time passing slowly and sadly to a lady walking into the shelter and
bringing him home and the rest of his great history! I will not give it
away.
The illustrations basically represent the parts of Flopsy Parker's life
that weren't spent with Gretta, his human mommy. Gretta took high
quality photos of him practically everyday, so those are what's used in
his life with her. Maya Tolliver's illustrations go perfectly with the
tone of the book and the situations. They have a simplicity and mood
that demonstrate some of the confusion and bewilderment the poor bunny
must have felt at on the occasions portrayed. "Life is changing, is
surreal and I don't know why. My whole world as I know it has changed
and made me confused and insecure". The pictures not really being
colored in fully or "solid" give the feeling of the transition and of
watching from afar or as in the end, as watching over things. They
seem very fitting and have a great quality of not being overwhelming,
but getting the point across in a clear comfortable manner easily
digestible by a young reader.
This book is not your typical sugar-coated
everyone-lives-happily-everafter story. It does have some heartache
and difficulty, but also shows much joy that is true and real. It goes
beyond fairy tale type stories and demonstrates the beauty of magic of
love when one takes the time to look at and find the beauty in
something or in someone! It is a story of how the light from within
can spark the flames of inspiration in many others exponentially for
the good of others in this world. There is no fairy-tale magic. It is
the true magic of the spirit of love but in our world of reality.
The
image I get in my head of this book with a child is that the child is
being read to! The book can foster discussion between adult and child
about animals, pets, life, what it's like to be an animal, are you
ready for a pet, etc. It can help anyone empathize with the point of
view of the animal. It is simple enough for a child to grasp, but
sophisticated enough for anyone to appreciate also. This book can
change the way one sees and understands things from our own narrow
human points of view. As a secondary benefit, this book also has a
spiritual but non-denominational point of view expressed in it at one
point which can be very comforting in discussing things such as the
Rainbow Bridge.
I also like the fact that this book
doesn't villianize Flopsy's former family, but rather show that they
made some poor decisions. This book strongly encourages educating one's
self about the needs of the animal before bringing a pet into one's
home and to point out that it is a living creature that requires a
commitment. This book teaches lessons on how many things can become
affected if one acts impulsively without thinking and becoming informed
on the commitment you are making. I also do like the fact that at least
they also didn't drop the rabbit into the woods, a park or the grounds
of a farm like often happens. Rabbits are prey animals and domestic
ones are not native in the USA, nor do they have proper instincts to
protect themselves.
If you would like to learn more about this book or to purchase it
you can
click here
. The proceeds from this book go to support Baskets for Bunnies and
the Flopsy Parker Memorial Rabbit Sanctuary. You can read more
by clicking here also.
The
book also lists many rabbit rescues and other related organizations in
the back as a great resource as well for those who have adopted, want
to adopt or are thinking about it!
I would recommend
this book for children who might be at the age of thinking about
wanting a pet. This is a good way to open any discussion for anyone of
any age actually about taking responsibility before acting impulsively
when it comes to impulsively obtaining a pet/companion animal. Rabbits
are great companion animals but have needs and aren't for everyone. Any
animal one brings in shouldn't just be thought of as, "I can just get
rid of it if or when I don't like it." The compassion and outpouring
that is described in regards to Flopsy really did happen and continues
to inspire and grow!
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