PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Willow and Bunny by Anitra Rowe Schulte & Christopher Denise




ABOUT THE BOOK

From a Caldecott Honor winner and New York Times bestselling artist and a Christopher Award–winning author, a beautiful, heartfelt tale of friendship, community, and hope after a difficult experience. Bunny needs a new home. After a long journey, he meets Willow and knows he will be safe beneath her branches. Every day is theirs to share. Just Bunny and Willow, Willow and Bunny. Then, one evening, an angry spiral whips through the wood. Every creature in the forest runs to Willow for shelter. As the storm rages, Willow shields and protects them with all her might. But when the calm returns, Willow’s beautiful branches are tattered, twisted, and forever changed. Bunny and the other creatures know it is their turn to help. This beautifully told tale by a Christopher Award–winning author and a Caldecott Honor artist offers messages of friendship, community, and hope after a difficult experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR

Anitra Rowe Schulte is the author of Dancing with Daddy, which won the Christopher Award and the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award. She has worked as a journalist for The Kansas City Star and the Sun-Times News Group, as a staff writer for Chicago Public Schools, and as a publicist. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their three daughters. Visit her at www.anitraroweschulte.com or @anitraschulte on Twitter.

Christopher Denise wrote and illustrated Knight Owl, a 2023 Caldecott Honor winner and New York Times bestseller. He is also the illustrator of many critically acclaimed children’s books, including Anika Aldamuy Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. Christopher lives with his family in Rhode Island. Visit him at www.christopherdenise.com and @christopherdenise on Instagram.

REVIEW

What a lovely tale of friendship as a community of animals face a dangerous storm with the assistance of an old willow tree. Bunny loves the forest where he lives, but when his instincts send him out to find a better source of shelter. He discovers Willow and they become companions through all seasons. When a dangerous storm strikes Willow sacrifices herself to protect all the animals that flee to her seeking shelter. Unfortunately, the storm leaves Willow broken and damaged. I couldn't help but smile though when Bunny and the other animals step up to help the tree who helped them. The power of community and friendship shines through in Christopher Denise's luminous, dreamlike illustrations and Schulte's gentle text. I loved the themes related to community and coming together for a common goal. I've long been a fan of the illustrator's gorgeous illustration style, so it didn't take much for me to fall in love with this sweet story. I look forward to sharing this one for years to come.

SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS




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