Down the hole by Scott Slater, illustrated by Adam Ming

 Adults are way more squeamish than kids. Kids LOVE books where things get eaten, be that the main character, side characters, animals, or other kids. Of course, with adults writing the books, they often chicken out at the last minute and end up with all the animal characters living together happily ever after. Wimps.

This hilarious story of a sly fox and some clever rabbits does NOT chicken out and has an extremely satisfying ending! Fox, with deliciously wicked eyebrows and a jaunty scarf, settles down by a rabbit burrow. Down in the burrow, Rabbit, a fluffy white bunny with collar and tie, waits, accompanied by the other bunnies busy with blueprints and construction tools. A cat and mouse game begins with Fox trying to coax Rabbit up from the burrow and Rabbit innocently putting him off while the other bunnies make their preparations.

In the end, it's Fox who gets trapped - and eaten - by an unexpected in habitant of the underground tunnels and the rabbits cheerfully celebrate with cake and dancing in the spring sunshine. Ming's swashy illustrations are delightful and kids will giggle along with the different perspectives shown above and below ground, as well as cheering on Rabbit as he outwits Fox.

Verdict: This is a little long for a toddler or preschool storytime, but I can't wait to try it out on my 1st graders and see them savor Fox getting his comeuppance. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780358683346; Published October 2023 by Clarion; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Added to my library order list