Today I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday. Be sure to check it out here.

Title: Bunny Braves the Day

Author: Suzanne Bloom

Illustrator: Suzanne Bloom

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2020

Audience: Ages 4-8

Themes: First day of school; siblings

Favorite lines: It’s hard to feel jittery when you’re glittery.

                        Sometimes you just feel like crying before you feel like trying.

Synopsis: (adapted from Amazon) It’s the first day of school, and little Bunny feels like something is flip-flopping in his belly. He won’t know anyone. He doesn’t know how to tie his shoes or how to read. And what if no one likes him? Bunny’s sister steps in to offer advice and convince him that everything will turn out fine. In the process, Bunny realizes his own unique qualities.  

Why I Like This Book: While there are many first day of school books on the market, this one stands out because it is also a sibling story and is told in alternating dialogue. Bunny gets advice from an older sister and is helped to recognize his own extraordinary talents. Suzanne Bloom perfectly captures the voice of a child and her illustrations, as always, are a perfect complement. The expressions on the characters’ faces expertly convey their feelings. Finding courage to do new things is a universal theme that can be applied to all ages, even adults.

For Susanna’s complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.