Marshmallow

A solitary bachelor cat who enjoyed quiet naps and being waited upon by his human, Oliver was unprepared for the arrival of a small fluffy bunny in his Manhattan apartment. Frightened at first by this leporine intruder, and then all-too-interested in his movements, Oliver had to be separated from tiny Marshmallow when Miss Tilly wasn't around to supervise. Then one day, when Miss Tilly was late returning home, Oliver found a way out of his room, and encountered the happy hoppy little bunny at play. Undecided as to what he should do - continue watching the amusing display? or pounce upon the unsuspecting creature? - he was surprised when Marshmallow, mistaking him for a mother rabbit, took matters into his own paws.

This adorable show more picture-book exploration of an unlikely cross-species friendship was chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1943 - the other title to be so distinguished that year was Mary and Conrad Buff's Dash and Dart - and it is not difficult to see why. Clare Turlay Newberry's soft artwork, which looks like it was done in charcoal and pastel, skillfully captures the winsome appeal of both cat and bunny. The pink accents used on the kitty and bunny noses and ears make a nice contrast to the gray and white of their bodies. The story is just as appealing, although readers should take note: apparently recent reprints have significantly reduced and revised the text, robbing it of much of its descriptive detail. I was lucky enough to find an edition that contained the original text, which opens:

"Oliver was a cat of middle-age, gray with tabby markings. He was a bachelor without wife or kittens, and lived in an apartment in Manhattan. A housekeeper, Miss Tilly, who had been with him since kittenhood, looked after the place and prepared his meals.
Many a cat has to catch his dinner before he can eat it, but Oliver was lucky. When he was hungry all he had to do was mention the fact to Miss Tilly, and she would open the refrigerator and get out his liver or chopped beef."

Compare this to the opening of the revised edition:

"Oliver was a gray cat with tabby markings who lived in an apartment. Many a cat has to catch his dinner before he can eat it, but Oliver was lucky. When he was hungry all he had to do was mention the fact to Miss Tilly, and she would open the refrigerator and get out his liver or chopped beef."

It's unfortunate that such a charming book has been rewritten and abridged in this fashion, especially as I understand that there is nothing on the newer editions specifying this fact. I recommend readers track down the original text, if they can, and enjoy the book as it was originally written. show less

So I definitely had a pet rabbit names Marshmallow after this book. I also definitely wanted him and my cat, Owl, to have this same interaction that Oliver and Marshmallow had but I had to wait for my second bunny, Honey, and Owl's old age to receive this pleasure. Clare Newberry has such an amazing style of writing. Her voice is so strong. Her observations of animal behavior and expressions are so strong. Her style of art is so simplistic and perfect. The integration of poetry into this book is also seamless. Of course Mrs Tilly can sit down and come up with a perfectly edited poem relevant to her life specifically in that moment--why not? I cannot believe this book was written in 1943. Somethings in this world have changed so much but show more this book is timeless! show less

Absolutely fantastic! You can tell the author knows house rabbits and understands how they interact. The illustrations are spot on, too. I've got three rabbits myself and one of them definitely sleeps in her bowl. The language used to describe their movements ("lolloping") fits beautifully. I've not seen friendship between cats and rabbits personally but have heard delightful stories from other house rabbit society members and seen touching pictures of bunny-cat snuggles--that Newberry captures in her simple images.

This book is brilliantly and simply one of those books that could bring comfort to a small child at bedtime. The comforting illustrations of Marshmallow and his very eventful homecoming are one to be appreciated by the reader. I believe that the reader can actually gain a bit of understanding of what is actually going on in this book as opposed to what the plain text says. Overall, I give the book 5 stars for its simple and very comforting illustrations as well as the ability to melt our hearts and make room for more furry creatures

Marshmallow is about the friendship of a tabby cat named Oliver and a baby rabbit named Marshmallow. Marshmallow comes into Oliver's home and is not welcomed. The two soon become the best of friends.

I think this is a great book that shows children that no matter your differences you can always find common ground to become friends. Sometimes children are quick to judge each other but this book shows that you can be different and still be friends.

An extension idea would be to color a picture of a bunny and then glue marshmallows onto the picture for texture. Another idea would be to color a "tabby" cat and use all of the different mixed colors that a tabby cat has.

This 1943 Newbery Honor book tells the story of an unusual friendship between a fluffy little bunny (Marshmallow) and a good-natured cat (Oliver). Small and unsure of himself, Marshmallow latches onto Oliver, thinking the cat is his mother. With warm descriptions, these two furry critters eventually settle into a loving, if unlikely, relationship. Rendered in black and white with hints of pink, the illustrations are simple and elegant but never overwhelming. Young children will love the sweet animal pictures and authentic details. Recommended. For ages 2-6.

Only the two main characters are the illustrated in Marshmallow, with very, very little props. Although these pictures are quite plain and non descriptive, the reader gets a sense of comfort and kindness from these two animals. Knowing animals, usually a cat and rabbit don't get along. In the first illustrations they are separated, but at the end they are together, symbolizing that the conflict of them not getting along, as everyone knows the don't, has resided and they have learned to connect with each other. The pictures explaining themselves easily without the words.