This blog was created to complete assignment requirements for School of Library and Information Sciences course #5420 at University of North Texas. All reviews will be books that were deemed by this blogger as having the potential to “open windows” to knowledge or pleasure for the reader.
Module 1-A Book About Reading
Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi
ISBN:978-0-7636-4540-3
Audience (according to Kirkus Reviews): Ages 6-8 years
Audience (according to Kirkus Reviews): Ages 6-8 years
Crimi, C. (2005). Henry & the buccaneer bunnies. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Pricing (as of 9/12) *Amazon: $6.99 Paperback
$12.97 Hardcover
Book Summary
In this fast paced book by Carolyn Crimi, readers will be swept up in the vivid vocabulary she uses to tell the story of Henry, son of the ferocious buccaneer bunny captain, Barnacle Black Ear. Both Barnacle Black Ear and the crew tease Henry for his choice of book reading over pirating. But when a storm strands them all on an island, thieving doesn’t feed, shelter or clothe them…the things Henry learned from books gets it done in fine fashion.
APA Reference
Crimi, C. (2005). Henry & the buccaneer bunnies. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Impressions
The captivating illustrations done by John Manders almost steal the show away from Crimi’s entertaining lesson on the virtues of reading. Readers will laugh at the exaggerated features of the evil Barnacle Black Ear and continue chuckling at the feather finery sported by the converted pirates. As noted by a reviewer below, the vocabulary is much higher than the age of the primary audience, but between the blatant context clues and the detailed drawings, no one will miss what is happening…and they might learn a few terrific words! The lesson on the benefits of reading books is evident to even the most disengaged listener and should generate excellent follow-up activities. Writing lessons emphasizing alliteration and imagery would be enhanced by the use of this quick read. Altogether a very versatile book with a plethora of curriculum uses. And while Kirkus Reviews lists the intended audience as ages 6-8, this reviewer did a read aloud with her 5th grade class and they were on the edge of their seats and did not seem to view the book as the least bit childish. The illustrations and the humor of scary bunnies with cabbage tattoos may have had something to do with that!
Professional Reviews
<< In this unsubtle plug for bookworms everywhere, the nerdy offspring of feared pirate Barnacle Black Ear looks up from his compulsive reading to see a bad storm coming, rescues his dad and the rest of the Salty Carrot's crew, then once ashore, quickly fashions a luxurious hut, fancy new outfits, delicious meals and other comforts from found materials--all using knowledge gained from tomes with titles like 101 Things To Do With Palm Fronds and Coconuts. Manders decks out his Chuck Jones-style illustrations in bunnies with long floppy ears and big toothy grins, along with a supporting cast of silly-looking seabirds. By the end, even Barnacle Black Ear's come round, bellowing out in oversized type: "Aye! Buccaneer Bunnies will always need books!" A worthy message, even though it's delivered with hull-smashing force, and less convincingly than in Judy Sierra's Wild About Books (2004), illustrated by Marc Brown. (Picture books. 6-8)
Henry & the buccaneer bunnies. (2005). Kirkus Reviews, 73(17),
971-971. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com.
<<…Readers will learn pirate slang and phrases. In addition, more difficult words like cruising, rowdy, wriggled, meteorology, blubbered, fetching, and fronds will be acquired from the context of the illustrations and text. The playful, captivating illustrations are distinctive and humorous, from Black Ear’s wooden paw to the cross and skull bones having rabbit ears on them. With the theme of reading empowering individuals and helping solve problems, this story would be ideal for kicking off a literacy initiative at a school. Also, reading aloud this delightful pirate tale to sixth graders before a unit on pirates or explorers will be just plain fun. Recommended. Gay Ann Loesch, National Board Certified Teacher/Librarian, Sun Valley Middle School, Indian Trail, North Carolina.
Henry & the buccaneer bunnies. (2006). Library Media
Connection, 24(5), 61-61. Retrieved from http://www.librarymedia.com.
Library Uses
- Use to illustrate the genre of "Fiction" to younger grades. Pair with a non-fiction title that covers the subject of rabbits.
- A discussion of the value of reading can be generated using this title. That would be an appropriate read aloud lesson to be done at the beginning of the year with students through 4th grade as the story has broad appeal for a wide age range.
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