Battle Bunny

Scieszka and Barnett wonder what would happen if the young recipient of a dorky picture book, Birthday Bunny, decided to... improve its treacly text and soppy pictures, and make himself the hero to boot. Scrawling in pencil over the original story and its creamy, vintage-style oil images, Alex rechristens the book's main character, Birthday Bunny, as Battle Bunny, turning the floppy-eared cutie into a helmeted, eye patch-wearing, saw-wielding global nemesis, complete with an Evil Plan and knowledge of 1,104 fighting styles. "Today is Judgment day!" announces one of Battle Bunny's friends-turned-foes. "Yes it is," replies the warmongering rabbit. "Judgment day for you!!!" Can anyone stop Battle Bunny? How about a certain boy who's very good with a pencil? Kids should absolutely not try this at home (at least not with library books), but they'll get plenty of vicarious laughs out of Alex's changes, which becomes so extensive and freewheeling that the original book (about an innocuous forest surprise party) is all but illegible. A hilarious and transgressive story with a clear message: Don't suffer schlock. Ages 5-9. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

Gr 1-3--Alex is clearly too old for the sappy picture book that his Gran Gran gives him for his birthday. Originally entitled Birthday Bunny, about a bunny who thinks his friends have forgotten his birthday, he spices it up by changing the title to Battle Bunny and making the main character an evil carrot-eating mastermind that is trying to take over the world. The boy also changes the dialogue frequently. For example, the crossed out text says, "Everybody needs a Special Thinking Place where they can think their best thoughts. Where is your Special Thinking Place?" The new, much-improved and hilarious text reads, "Everybody needs an Evil Plan Place where they can launch their Evil Plans. Where is your Evil Plan Place?" The tweaks to the oil and pencil illustrations, such as adding an eye patch and WWF wresting belt to the bunny, are priceless. This is a perfect book to give independent readers who are looking for something a little different. The unique layout and design will inspire creativity in readers.--Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI