Anita Lobel's work has recently been brought back to the attention of readers, with new editions of some of her work as well as some new titles. She wrote two books about a family of rabbits, my favorite being 10 Hungry Rabbits which features a variety of concepts, from counting to colors. However, both that title and the sequel, Taking care of Mama Rabbit were published in a small format, crowding her art and the lengthier text and making them difficult to use in storytime.
A new edition of Taking care of Mama Rabbit has been published and I hope 10 Hungry Rabbits won't be far behind. The story begins with Mama Rabbit sick in bed. Her ten children are concerned and each does something to help her feel better, from bringing hot chocolate to pretty flowers and pictures. By the time Papa Rabbit has returned with medicine for Mama, she is all better without it and she and Papa are ready to watch the little rabbits' surprise: a show just for them!
The new edition uses the same text, with only minor changes to the art, but the larger format allows Lobel's art to really shine and more details to be incorporated into the pictures. Readers can follow Mama from hiding under the covers to sitting on the couch and with more white space around the text, the story feels less wordy.
It's not a contemporary story, which wouldn't feature children taking care of their parent or a parent's illness being "fixed" by little presents, but it's just right for a toddler audience with the refrain of cumulative text and bright and attractive pictures.
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