Ballad of the Lost Hare

by Margaret Sidney

A story about a naughty rabbit who runs away from his family, only to confront numerous problems. Will he find his way home?

Genres: Childrens

26 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1884

About the author

Margaret Sidney was the pen name of American author and publisher Harriett Lothrop, best known for creating the enduring Five Little Peppers series, one of the most popular works of American children's literature of the late 19th century. Raised in a cultured and literary household in New Haven, she developed an early passion for storytelling and imaginative writing, though she did not publish until her mid-thirties. Her breakthrough came with short stories for the magazine Wide Awake, whose enthusiastic reception led to the publication of Five Little Peppers in 1881 and a long-running series that followed the Pepper family through numerous sequels. Writing under the name Margaret Sidney, she became widely read by generations of young audiences. After the death of her husband, publisher Daniel Lothrop, she successfully managed his publishing firm while raising their daughter, later returning to writing and continuing the Pepper books. Beyond literature, she played a significant role in American cultural life, helping to establish Concord, Massachusetts, as a literary center and working to preserve historic homes. She was also the founder of the Children of the American Revolution, reflecting her strong interest in history, education, and civic values.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so glad I was a child in the latter part of the 20th century and not the 19th. This is a fairly depressing, uninspired book that was likely what passed for children's literature in the 1880s. Ballad of the Lost Hare is full of abuse, frightening situations, and a dismal ending. Not exactly what you think of when you think "picture book"!

The story is told in rhyme (sort of; some of the rhymes are a stretch, and the meter is all over the place) and concerns a rambunctious little hare who always wants to go out exploring. His father scolds him, his mother whips him (yeah... nice), and his brothers and sisters cry whenever he takes off. Eventually, his father basically tells him that if he goes out again, he shouldn't bother coming back.

So the hare goes out and meets all these creatures. Some are friendly, but he doesn't want to play for some reason. He just wants to run. Some of the other creatures try to kill him, like the bull and the dogs. The text concerning the dogs is rather scary and graphic:

Don't let the hungry, cruel, cruel jaws
Snap off his pretty little velvet paws,
Tear off his ears in terrible sport--
Don't let the naughty little thing be caught!

(I'm not sure what accent you need to have to make "sport" and "caught" rhyme, but it's not one I've heard recently!)

After all the hare's adventures, does he return home, snuggle into bed with his brothers and sisters, and learn that there's no place like home? Actually, no. He just keeps running and running and running, apparently doomed to run forever. Does he think of his family? The book asks the question, then says we'll never know. And the hare just keeps running.

Give me a picture book from 1984 over one from 1884 any day.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one part children's book and one part book of poetry, and is an overall joy to read for all ages.

[Leah Mullenaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a story about a hare who runs away from home. He then encounters many problems as he tries to get back home. It is interesting because of the style that the book is written in. It plays with the format of the words on the page and that makes it more playful and interesting. It is also a very poetic book. It was rather boring and it has plain pictures. Other than that, it was an ok read.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the vintage artwork in Margaret Sidney's "Ballad of the Lost Hare". For a book published in 1884, it is actually quite colorful. I like the poetic nature of the book as well. Since I am a big fan of vintage illustrations, my opinions on this book are probably a bit biased, but I totally adored it.

[H. R.]

Discovered the Library of Congress' online book collection! http://www.read.gov/books/