The Littlest Rabbit

by Robert Kraus

THE LITTLEST RABBIT by Robert Kraus. Stated First Scholastic Printing, 1973. Softcover.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Robert Kraus was an American children's author, cartoonist and publisher. Founder and publisher of Windmill Books, author and illustrator of award-winning children's books, Kraus began as a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...]

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. 4 stars for being a favorite book from my childhood and 3 stars for not standing the test of time. What was probably considered somewhat humorous when I was a child would now be considered distasteful. There is a scene where the littlest rabbit now as big as the bully rabbits from earlier in the story punches them. This is by the same author/illustrator of another favorite from another era, Daddy Long Ears.

[Janessa Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moral of the story: punch your bullies.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found an old diary from when I was in third grade, and this is the book I listed in it as my favorite. I didn’t remember it, so I tracked down a copy—first published in 1961, it’s surprisingly obscure. It’s a pretty cute book, with basic illustrations printed in black and yellow. The littlest rabbit is super tiny—smaller than a carrot—making him extra adorable. But he wants to grow up, and be a big bunny—a sentiment most little kids can identify with. (It’s, unfortunately, not the Easter book I’ve been searching for, the one with the bunnies in the factory painting eggs illustration that I vaguely remember from my childhood.)

I imagine the reason this book has become obsolete is when he grows up, the littlest rabbit punches and kicks the bigger rabbits who punched and kicked him when he was little, sending them crying home to their mothers. When he tells his father about it, his father says, “I’m very proud of my big fellow,” and shakes his hand. The moral of this story is if someone hits you, hit ‘em back harder.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story that deals with a rabbit who gets bullied and how he stands up for little bunnies later when he's grown. I liked this when I was younger, and the message is just as valid for kids today.

[Ann M. Noser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable children's book that I kept from my own childhood and am now rereading with my young daughter carries a anti-bullying message.
What it says is still true today: "All bullies are cowards."

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Littlest Rabbit (Paperback) by Robert Kraus, Hindi language translation by Aravinda Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of growing children with the example of the littlest Rabbit. This just born rabbit roams out and finds that he is smaller than other rabbits who are playing. These rabbits bully and tease him for his small size. He finds that even the cabbage is larger while he is of the size equal to that of the carrot. Every day, he prays to God to bless and increase his size. Soon the rabbit grows in size. Now, he finds that he is a big—a sentiment most little kids can identify with. Rabbit finds that other rabbits are bullying the small rabbit, he punches them and they run to their parents in complaint. When he tells his father about it, his father says, “I am very proud of my big fellow,” and shakes his hand. The moral of this story is we must help the young ones from being bullied by older boys. Second, growing up is a natural process when happens with time. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Just a very nice book with a very
nice moral for young children.

The illustrations are nice and approp-
riate--nothing absolutely earthshattering.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book really has two good messages - one that is more upfront and one that is more subtle to the reader while it may not be picked up on. Unfortunately the presentation and response of one message isn't what many of us would say is the right answer and I know we do have to take a look at the age of the book but I wouldn't recommend it for that.

The writing is simple, large and in a slightly bold format so beginning readers won't have problems with reading the story or following along with whoever may be telling it. And although the illustrations are basic and in a cartoonish example they fit the plot just right.

[Dianna Delcambre]

I mistakenly clicked rating. I'd like to read it please

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

the only thing I don't like is that he punches them back when he's big.

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not so much with the punching and punching back. I did love this book as a kid!

[Little Champs]

2008