Thunder Bunny

by Barbara Helen Berger

Thunder Bunny was a surprise. She was the last and littlest one. But there was something about her . . . just something.

Thunder Bunny is a poetic and stunningly simple story of one most unusual bunny who comes out of the blue—and discovers who she is.

In exquisite collage, Barbara Helen Berger brings life to this remarkable and original story that celebrates the spirit and courage of even the smallest. Like Berger’s classic Grandfather Twilight, a story to remember.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Rabbits, Fiction, Animals, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Barbara Helen Berger grew up loving to draw and paint. She studied Art at the University of Washington in Seattle, her home town, where she earned a BFA degree in Painting. During her five years of study, she also went to Yale Summer School of Music & Art, and to Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy. In Italy she saw the art she had loved from childhood, seen in her father's art books at home.

For ten years after college, she worked as a painter with gallery shows in Seattle. Then beginning in 1980 she turned her focus to children's books. She says, “All along, I loved writing too. My secret wish was to bring art and words together in my own books.”

Her first was Animalia, inspired by illuminated manuscripts (Celestial Arts, 1982, re-issued by Tricycle Press, 1999). Then she went on to create the picture books she is known for, including Grandfather Twilight, considered a bedtime classic, The Donkey's Dream, and A Lot of Otters, (all from Philomel Books). She also wrote and illustrated Gwinna, a fairytale in chapters (Philomel, 1990). In All the Way to Lhasa: a Tale from Tibet, she blended her style with the influence of Tibetan art (Philomel, 2002). And in Thunder Bunny, her newest book, she blends her style with the medium of collage (Philomel, 2007).

Berger's books have won awards for both the art and writing: the Golden Kite Award for Picture-Illustration, Parents' Choice Foundation Award for Illustration, the Children's Book Award from Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and twice a Washington State Governor's Writers Award. Original paintings from her books have been exhibited around the country. She says, “From beginning to end, the process of creating is still my biggest joy.”

Ms. Berger lives on Bainbridge Island, in the Pacific Northwest. She received the honor of an Island Treasure Award in 2006 from the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.

Reviews

[Roxanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story did not really make sense to me. It felt gratuitously artsy. My rating 2/5.
However, upon closing the book, my 5 year old muttered "I wish I had a thunder bunny". Okay, she liked it and her vote trumps mine. 4/5.

[Jesse Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is Thunder Bunny blue?

The big blue open sky is featured often in the book. Thunder Bunny is blue because she represents open sky, meaning "the sky is the limit", POTENTIAL. Everyone has potential to be something new, something better.

She isn't an outcast, or a weird bunny. She has potential when born, and the book demonstrates her courage to realize that potential. She overcomes trials and fear to change while tunneled in the clouds. This book is about an awakening, a BECOMING. Making sure kids know that anything is possible. By the end of the book, she is a rumble bunny, a sun bunny, and moon bunny,

"clear and true and out of the blue, the blue that is always there, no matter what. "

There is always possibility and potential in life. Realize that potential!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"She wasn't only a bunny now. She was a sun and moon bunny, clear and true and out of the blue, the blue that is always there, no matter what." Beautiful illustrations, strange, confusing, yet compelling story.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable story about a little blue bunny who discovers her purpose in life. Loved the artwork and as I said the story was adorable.
Recommended? Yes.
Buy/Borrow? Borrow

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! It has a great beat to read to, the illustrations are adorable and it doesn’t need to be anything more than that. I’ve read this book so many times to the children and it is a favorite of mine and theirs. Does the story have some over arching life lesson for the kids? No, not really, but that why I love it. It’s just an adorable, special little bunny who believes in herself even when things get tough.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about reaching your potential; becoming you’re most true and divine self. Being brave enough to know that you’re special, and finding out what that means for you.

Unlike most toddler age books, the message is not in your face and requires a little critical thinking.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are cute but I have no idea what is happening in the story.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true gem; I'm shocked this is out of print already. A simple, poignant story about being one's own unique self, paired with stunning paper-collage illustrations.

[Erika Jost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is nuts and doesn't make sense but it's weirdly captivating. Two-year-old loves it.

[Briana · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a big fail in my opinion. The storyline was unique, but the writing of the story was awful. I'm sure children would be quite confused by it because it doesn't really make any sense. The illustrator, however, is quite talented. The art was rendered using painted collage paper and lots of other techniques that I don't understand =P

[Henry Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the blue and the blue is me!

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thunder Bunny is soo soo cute. Story was ok. Would be good for a weather-related storytime.

[Nicci · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really understand what this book is about, but a 17 month old who doesn't really understand it either loved the pictures and when I pretended to growl and be the thunder bunny!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd. Very odd. Cute too.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, softly colored collage illustrations.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bunny is blue. It hopped up into the sky and then he dug into a dark tunnel in the clouds and said, "I'm a Thun-Thun-Thunder bunny". A.R.

[Brandi Shockley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique tale of a bunny is encouraging to those who have special personalities. Accepting one's self.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

sort of cute. sort of weird.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual and absolutely lovely.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
we read this a lot years ago
the kids liked it more than I did but it's cute