I Am A Bunny

This is the sweetest little storybook written by Ole Risom and illustrated by Richard Scarry. Written back in 1963 by Golden Books, Nicholas in his cute little red overalls analyzing the 4 seasons will always have a place in my heart. The seasons - always a perfect subject to write about in my opinion. I like to ask others "What is your favorite season?" My favorite part of this book has always been in the fall when he watches the animals get ready for winter. In the spring Nicholas enjoys the outdoors while picking flowers , makes friends with the frogs come summertime, and cozies up in the winter to watch the snow fall from the sky before falling asleep to experience the next years adventures.

There is just something cozy and safe to this book. I Am A Bunny is a gentle and innocent look at sights, smell, color, friendship, adventure.

Oh now I have goosebumps and am wishing instead of this dreaded heatwave outside it was golden from leaves turning multiple colors and crunching as kids run thru them playing outside. That certain smell in the air of cinnamon and fires crackling, burning leaves, pumpkin pie, chili cooking on the stove. This is the one book when I open it will always take me to all the smells, memories, innocence that for some reason does not seem to quite transpire anymore in todays world.

Since that wonderful time in the late 70's early 80's when my sister, me, neighborhood friends, and a few special classmates would run around at night chasing lightening bugs, playing dress up, zipping under the weeping willows in my grandparents golf cart, reading a lot of Golden Books. The list goes on! My childhood was wonderful.

There are a few other books that I have a copy of which will be read to my grandchildren in the future. I Will Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and Blue Day Book: A Lesson In Cheering Yourself Up by Bradley Trevor Greive. Those three for sure I would suggest anytime anywhere to anyone.

Unfortunately, my two boys never took an interest in I Am A Bunny. In the early 2000's they had really enjoyed DVD's as opposed to books. I never was the type of mom that felt the need to push anything on them simply because I would not want that done to me. I do not think my 15 year old has picked up a book on his own since unless it was for a report. He is a die hard gamer and is great at it so that works for me. My other son who is 18 has wonderful collections of Manga Books in his room everywhere. To each their own! It makes me laugh, boardbooks are intended for 2-5 year old kids. People that love it are very much older, this makes me happy, smart people!! As I type this I am hearing of a planned attack on Hawaii from Russia and China... maybe they should just calm down and read I Am A Bunny. That book would definitely diffuse this situation.

This is a cool fact, I was born in Kenosha, WI. Our neighbor is Racine, WI which is where the Little Golden Booksc are published. Edward Henry Wadewitz and his brother Al purchased the old West Side Printing Company in 1907 in Racine. In 1942 the books sold for 25 cents. When people think of great bedtime stories I am sure these books come to a lot of peoples minds.

Out of all of the cool stuff I owned and played with that today I notice is worth a small fortune for the lucky few that has held onto that stuff, the only thing I currently own from my childhood is to me Priceless.