The Island Light

Voyage to the Bunny Planet #2

by Rosemary Wells

Felix has an awful day until he is whisked off to the Bunny Planet to experience the day that should have been.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile, Fantasy

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Laura Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the bunny planet books by Wells. These are so incredibly charming they are not to be missed. Having a bad day? Take a trip to the bunny planet...

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book to read to my children hands down.

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 22-month-old really loves this trilogy. He will sit through all three books in a row. They are cute little stories with simple yet effective storytelling and very pleasant rhymes. The pictures are soft and pretty to look at. I like that they encourage children to use their storytelling abilities and imagination to change their mood if they're re having a frustrating day.

[Sarah Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly? This may be a picture book with a line to a page, but it never fails to make me feel lovely and joyous inside. Take a trip to the bunny planet. It'll be worth it (and an easy add to Goodreads...).

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would've loved this one as a child. The theme is the same as the other bunny planet books: when Felix has a bad day, he's able to escape into his imagination for a short while, to picture a world that wraps him up in its warmth and comfort. The language in this installment is particularly evocative, conjuring up a strong sense of the windswept lighthouse, the salty spray of the ocean, the crackling warmth of the fire as it heats the cool stone and steams the dampness from their sweaters. What strikes me as a little odd is that Felix mentions his father and mother in his "real" day, yet only brings his father along for his imaginary journey. That probably wouldn't have registered if I'd been a younger reader, but I can't help wondering if the mother was left out due simply to space, or if Felix has a less strong connection with her.

[Modboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Island Lights is sort of a fantasy dream. Felix is sick and having a terrible day until he and is sick, everything's going wrong until he visits Bunny Planet. At Bunny Planet he gets to see the day that should have been. It's a day filled with activities with his father. A strange story with fantastic art in a small book. Looking to hunt down the other two Bunny Planet books.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Rosemary Wells illustrating bunnies, with a soft tale of a bad day followed by 'the day that should have been.' Just for that it's good. I think the rhythm of this one is better than that of First Tomato which is awkward to read. A nice comforting story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story. It did not resonate with me quite the same way as the other two did. I did, however, really appreciate that Felix's primary caregiver at the Bunny Planet was his dad. A wonderful example of strong parenting from a father.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a toddler book...and there's no conflict.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't read it one more time-it makes me cry too much!!

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

1997 Cozy pictures about a rabbit's dream.

1998 Alissa keeps asking if there really is a bunny planet.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felix isn't having a good day. A sudden sickness and other mishaps throughout leave him feeling a bit unloved, but his dream world and voyage to the Bunny Planet puts him at ease.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Here's the day that should have been."