Module 2 - Bunnicula - A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Summary

Harold the dog and Chester the cat have a new friend; Bunnicula, a vampire bunny.  All three live in the Monroe house. Chester the cat is naturally suspicious of Bunnicula.  Harold is the happy go lucky dog that wants to be friends with everyone.  Through time and several funny events they all become one big happy family.

 

Impressions

 I am a vampire genre fan.  In my neighborhood there are bunnies that terrorize my dogs and my backyard.  I thought Bunnicula would an interesting read.  The book is light hearted and has some funny moments.  It held my interest and I plan to recommend it for my nephew.  

 

Reviews

For his 25th anniversary, Bunnicula is being ushered into one of the last children's literature formats he has yet to invade: the easy reader. Harold the dog narrates the story of Bunnicula's arrival at the Monroe house. The family discovers the bunny with the cape-shaped markings at a Dracula movie and white vegetables begin to turn up. Chester, the family's excitable cat, wigs out: he's sure the bunny will go after the animals and people once he's done with the veggies. Chester starves poor Bunnicula by barring his path to the kitchen with garlic, but Harold saves the day and Bunnicula. Mack's new, acrylic illustrations are more cartoonish, but Bunnicula and friends have never been more adorable. This is a good abridgement by Heather Henson, and it might lead readers to the rest of the series. It's to be hoped that Bunnicula will get all new adventures instead of more retreads to satisfy the promise of more to come. (Easy reader. 6-8)

 

Bunnicula and friends. (2004). Kirkus Reviews, (2) Retrieved from   http://search.proquest.com/docview/917135891?accountid=7113

 

Gr 1-3-Howe has adapted the original Bunnicula (S & S, 1979) for beginning chapter-book readers. All of the same characters arc here: Mr. and Mrs. Monroe; their sons, Toby and Pete; their cat, Chester; their dog, Harold; and, of course, Bunnicula. Harold's first-person narration consists mainly of his interactions and conversations with Chester. The rabbit found by the family in a movie theater showing Dracula becomes the center of the family's attention. Chester believes that Bunnicula is a vampire and prevents him from eating in order to protect the Monroe family. Harold is convinced that the rabbit is harmless and counters the dog's attempts to weaken the animal. Using short sentence structure and simple language, Howe provides an intriguing plot for emerging readers. Mack's illustrations enhance the text through humorous and emotive depictions of the characters.-Karen Stuppi, Harmony Elementary School, Middletown, NJ

Stuppi, K. (2004). The vampire bunny. School Library Journal, 50(6), 110-110,112. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211740056?accountid=7113

 

Suggestions

This book would be good to discuss types of characters.  You have the dog that is happy and loves everyone.  Other characters are the snooty cat that is suspicious all the time and the vampire rabbit who is a vegetarian. Discuss with students what they think of vampires, dogs, or cats. Ask the students how this story depicts the traditional ideas.  Then discuss how the traditional character types are different or not what they expected.    

This is also a good book that discusses vampires without the traditional gory details that maybe above some of the younger students’ level.  It would be good to read at Halloween. 

References

http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/images/critter-exclusives/bunnicula-bg.jpg

Howe, D., Howe, J., & Daniel, A. (1979). Bunnicula, a rabbit-tale of mystery. Atheneum.