Rabbit-cadabra! (Bunnicula and Friends Series #4)

by James Howe, Jeff Mack (Illustrator)

Overview

What is Bunnicula's picture doing on a magician's poster? Is The Amazing Karlovsky plotting to unleash hatfuls of Transylvanian vampire rabbits on an unsuspecting audience? Can Harold the dog, Chester the cat, and Howie the puppy find enough garlic to stop the show in time? Features a Bunnicula magic trick that kids can perform for their friends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689857522
Publisher:	Simon Spotlight
Publication date:	08/07/2007
Series:	Bunnicula and Friends Series , #4
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	400L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

James Howe is the author of more than seventy books for young readers, including the popular and award-winning series about Bunnicula and his friends. Among his other books are the Pinky and Rex series, the Sebastian Barth mysteries, and The Misfits and Totally Joe, which inspired the nation-wide initiative for No Name-Calling Week. He lives in New York.

Jeff Mack has illustrated six books in the Bunnicula and Friends series.

He is also the illustrator of several popular picture books, such as Rub-a-Dub Sub, We're Rabbits!, and Starry Safari. Jeff lives in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Visit him on the Web at www.JeffMack.com.

Editorial Reviews

The latest Bunnicula picture book sustains that series' well-known comedy-of-errors combination of slapstick and intrigue. Once again the other animals in the Monroe household suspect impending danger from the pet rabbit, Bunnicula, whom they are convinced is a vampire. This time, thanks to Chester the cat (who maintains his impervious air of omniscience by making up what he doesn't know), Harold the dog (our narrator) and Howie the dachshund puppy believe that Bunnicula is in league with a visiting magician. When they learn that The Amazing Karlovsky plans to pull Bunnicula out of a hat during a show at the local school, they are sure that a horde of vampire bunnies will be loosed upon the audience. Can unspeakable horror be averted? Howe garnishes his story with winsome puns and indulgent irony before he unveils the requisite logical explanation. Daniel, who illustrated two Bunnicula middle readers, contributes watercolor, gouache and colored-pencil art; his composition, lighting and perspectives are theatrically exaggerated, especially in comparison with Leslie Morrill's rather staid pictures for Howe's 1991 Creepy-Crawly Birthday . The piece de resistance: a pull-out magic trick, clearly explained and easily executed. Ages 5-up. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Harold, the Monroe’s fluffy pup, narrates this tale about a mysterious magician who comes to town with what looks like vampire rabbits, possible hundreds of them. With Harold, Chester the cat and Howie the puppy all conspire to get to the bottom of this mystery. The story begins when Toby excitedly comes home from school announcing the Amazing Karlovsky is coming to town. Since none of them know who or what that is, they decide to investigate. The only one who is not concerned is the pet rabbit, Bunnicula, who sleeps all day and wakes up after dark. He is considered the real magician because he escapes from his cage and “turns vegetables white.” To add to the intrigue, posters that appear around town seem to show the Amazing Karlovsky holding Bunnicula, fangs and all. How can this be? Could it be a cousin from Transylvania? What else comes from Transylvania? Vampires, according to Chester. In his mind, Bunnicula is a vampire bunny. The Amazing Karlovsky must be stopped! Follow along as the menagerie attempts to curtail the magic show, already in progress, ultimately getting to the bottom of things. Mack’s illustrations enhance the text, giving expression to each character and situation. Readers familiar with Bunnicula will likely not be disappointed; those coming to the bunny books for the first time will likely wish to read the previous titles, as well as any subsequent ones. From the “Bunnicula and Friends” series for the emergent, proficient reader. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young

Children's Literature

Bunnicula fans will recognize James Howe's cast of characters in this picture book. The great Karlovsky, magician extraordinaire, is coming to town, and Toby Monroe is extremely excited about it. The Monroe family pets--Chester the cat, Howie the dachshund, and Harold, a big shaggy dog, are worried. They are concerned that Bunnicala, the family's rabbit, is in on some plot with Karlovsky, to unleash loads of vampire rabbits on the town. Sound crazy? It is a rather zany plot, one with lots of twists and turns a bit beyond the ability of the usual picture book crowd to follow. There's some wry humor in the family dynamics that is brought out nicely in realistic watercolor/gouache illustrations of Toby, his brother Pete, and their very expressive pets. 1999 (orig.

Children's Literature - Nancy Partridge

K-Gr 3-- The Monroe animals are back again in another zany adventure. Chester the cat and his dog friends, Howie and Harold, track Bunnicula to the amazing Karlovsky's magician's hat. Chester is convinced that Bunnicula is only one of many vampire rabbits to be pulled from the top hat, and the inventive trio tries to ward off their power with garlic-seasoned pizza. The fast-paced story is fun to read alone or with a group. The colorful single- and double-page watercolor spreads highlight the action and set the mood. The props and instructions for a magic trick are also included. A perfect introduction to Bunnicula and friends, the book is great for older children to read aloud to younger siblings. --Cassie Whetstone, Ridgeley Primary/Middle School, WV

School Library Journal