Small Bunny's Blue Blanket

This review was previously published. It has been rewritten and edited.

I didn't care for this in picture book format, when I looked at it earlier, but I actually really liked it as a board book.

Small Bunny takes Blue Blanket everywhere. In fact, they have so many adventures together that they both need a bath. At least, Mommy thinks so, even if Small Bunny doesn't agree. And when Blue Blanket finally comes out of the wash, it's not Blue Blanket at all anymore. But after lots more playing, he's as good as before.

The art is very simple. Small Bunny is a simple pen outline, with a scribbled tail. Blue Blanket is a swatch of blue color. There are a few lightly sketched pieces of furniture but the only other character is Small Bunny's show more mother. One subtle detail - the blanket wraps around to the back of the cover which is completely covered in blue. The board book is a small square, about 5 by 5 inches.

Verdict: The abstract illustrations work much better in the smaller format and the simple story is better-suited for the younger board book audience than in a picture book. Recommended if you're purchasing additional titles for your board book collection.

ISBN: 9780385753630; Published 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House: Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Admit it-you’ve once had a special blanket or a favorite toy that you never wanted to part with. Parting with this certain object seemed like the end of the world and it felt like years and years went by before you two were reunited again. Small Bunny feels your pain and knows exactly what this is like. Join Small Bunny (and his beloved blue blanket, too-of course!) for a day of frolicking and fun. All is running smoothly until-gasp!-blue blanket needs to take a trip to the dreaded washing machine. Will Small Bunny ever get his blue blanket back? How long must he wait? And most importantly, will his blue blanket be the same upon its return?! Pick up this book as soon as you can to get all of these urgent questions answered. Feeney, a show more new Irish author and illustrator, uses many innovative and interesting design techniques in her artwork. She combines printmaking techniques with collage or watercolor for her illustrations on many greeting cards, web sites, and a number of other children’s books. Her simple dialogue makes this story easy to read for young booklovers. From the first page, Feeney will have you just as attached to the fuzzy blue blanket as Small Bunny is. show less

Blue Blanket helps Small Bunny read the hardest books, soar higher on the swings, and paint great pictures, so how will Small Bunny get by while Blue Blanket is being washed… and will Blue Blanket ever be the same afterwards? A graphically simple picture book underscoring the importance of a young child’s favorite item, preschool through Kindergarten listeners will appreciate Small Bunny’s dedication to Blue Blanket, because they probably have a similar item at home… or in their backpack. Highlighted with light blue, the child-like black pencil line drawings float on the page in large expanses of white space. The color of the blue-shaded text mimics the color of Blue Blanket as it carried across the page. The layout of the text show more follows the arc of the story giving the reader cues for pauses and inflections. Losing a constant companion, (if only for 107 minutes) can be stressful, but young children will understand that everything will actually be all right in the end… and less stinky. show less

Bunny takes his blanket everywhere with him and does everything with it and as everyone knows when Mom wants to wash it, it just isn't the same. What ensues is a true to life tale about knowing your favorite companion is going to be cleaned and won't be the same. Young readers who have a security item of their own will enjoy this story and will relate.

Small Bunny plays with his blanket all the time. His mom thought it was time to wash it because he took it with him everywhere. This is the book I chose to do a read-aloud to some children because children can compare the blanket in the story to their own favorite blanket or toy, this book helps them put themselves in other people's shoes.

This story reminded me of Knuffle Bunny b/c of the similar themes I guess and they both have bunnies. Bunny doesn't want to put his blanket in the wash but in it goes, initially it doesn't feel the same but after a while he gets used to it again.
Love the minimalist illustration style that only has blue and white.

This story reminded me of Knuffle Bunny b/c of the similar themes I guess and they both have bunnies. Bunny doesn't want to put his blanket in the wash but in it goes, initially it doesn't feel the same but after a while he gets used to it again.
Love the minimalist illustration style that only has blue and white.