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Rabbit and Bear #6
This Lake is Fake!
Spring has finally arrived, but it's not as perfect as he hoped it would be. Bear thinks that if they work hard, they can improve things, a bit. But Rabbit has a MUCH better plan. He sets off across the lake in search of a Perfect World ...
181 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2024
About the author
Julian Gough
45 books163 followersJulian Gough is an award winning author of funny stories about serious things. He won the BBC National Short Story Award in 2007 (when it was the biggest prize in the world for a single short story). His “The iHole” was shortlisted for the one-off BBC International Short Story Award in 2012. He has also been shortlisted, twice, for the Everyman Bollinger Wodehouse Prize for comic fiction.
He represented Ireland in Best European Fiction 2010; won a Pushcart Prize in the US in 2011; and represented Britain in Best British Short Stories 2012. London born and Irish raised, he now lives in Berlin.
He is the author of three novels, Juno & Juliet, Jude in Ireland, and Jude in London; two radio plays, The Great Hargeisa Goat Bubble, and The Great Squanderland Roof; and a poetry collection, Free Sex Chocolate.
In 2011, he wrote the ending to Time Magazine’s computer game of the year, Minecraft.
As a youth, he wrote and sang on four albums by Toasted Heretic, and had a top ten hit with the single "Galway and Los Angeles”.
He is probably best known for stealing Will Self’s pig.
He represented Ireland in Best European Fiction 2010; won a Pushcart Prize in the US in 2011; and represented Britain in Best British Short Stories 2012. London born and Irish raised, he now lives in Berlin.
He is the author of three novels, Juno & Juliet, Jude in Ireland, and Jude in London; two radio plays, The Great Hargeisa Goat Bubble, and The Great Squanderland Roof; and a poetry collection, Free Sex Chocolate.
In 2011, he wrote the ending to Time Magazine’s computer game of the year, Minecraft.
As a youth, he wrote and sang on four albums by Toasted Heretic, and had a top ten hit with the single "Galway and Los Angeles”.
He is probably best known for stealing Will Self’s pig.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 24, 2026
"Reality," said Rabbit firmly, "is a cave full of poo, and I refuse to live there."
The latest Rabbit and Bear book was a cute little read in bed. I have loved this series, and I am a good way past their target market age. Beautifully illustrated throughout, they all have a good message to pass on to younger readers (maybe even adults can take the messages to heart, sometimes).
For this particular tale, Rabbit is longing for Spring. But, more than that, he is longing for something better, something perfect. And so he goes off to try and find what he is longing for. Needless to say, it doesn't quite go how he had hoped or imagined.
For younger readers, there are the usual laughs which you would expect from Rabbit and Bear. And, whilst you may be forgiven for thinking that the amounts of poo which featured here was a little unrealistic, there is an educational aspect to it too (so, yes, young children will often find poo funny, but here it is a little more than that).
I'm not ashamed to admit that I like this series so much. Because of how they are written, there is something there for adults to enjoy. There is a simple complexity to the tales, often enabling adults to introduce their younger ones to larger themes, such as working together, and how important community is. I love them, and I am happy to have discovered that number 7 in the series will be coming out later this year.
The latest Rabbit and Bear book was a cute little read in bed. I have loved this series, and I am a good way past their target market age. Beautifully illustrated throughout, they all have a good message to pass on to younger readers (maybe even adults can take the messages to heart, sometimes).
For this particular tale, Rabbit is longing for Spring. But, more than that, he is longing for something better, something perfect. And so he goes off to try and find what he is longing for. Needless to say, it doesn't quite go how he had hoped or imagined.
For younger readers, there are the usual laughs which you would expect from Rabbit and Bear. And, whilst you may be forgiven for thinking that the amounts of poo which featured here was a little unrealistic, there is an educational aspect to it too (so, yes, young children will often find poo funny, but here it is a little more than that).
I'm not ashamed to admit that I like this series so much. Because of how they are written, there is something there for adults to enjoy. There is a simple complexity to the tales, often enabling adults to introduce their younger ones to larger themes, such as working together, and how important community is. I love them, and I am happy to have discovered that number 7 in the series will be coming out later this year.
March 10, 2025
Rabbit and Bear wake up hungry after hibernating through winter. Rabbit is done with being in that cave, so it is a good thing that the snow melts when it does. But they don't find the outside world the perfect spring realm Rabbit had built up in his head over winter. He's frustrated and done with things, especially piles of poop everywhere. Bear and some of the other locals have suggestion of how to make things better, but Rabbit just wants the perfect world in his mind. So he sets off in search of perfect. But is perfect possible?
The author makes some pointed commentaries on those who love to complain and just want to run away from a less-than-perfect world, than actually try to do something about it with Rabbit's reaction to a messy post-winter world with lots of poop piles uncovered by the melting snow. He also manages to find a guana island (which according to the back of the book is a real thing...blech) but also brings Rabbit to a breaking point and helps him realize he can be part of the solution and that every little bit helps. I can see this being a poignant read for kids who just like to complain and not be part of the solution (or adults of the same bent), but I think most kids are just going to be hung up on all the talk about poop and miss the point. Hopefully not, because it is a super message the author is trying to convey for our world today, but that's my fear.
Notes on content:
Language: None (the poop is always just called poop and nothing else)
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: N/A characters all forest animals
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: As mentioned, lots of poop talk and illustrations. At one point someone designs a pillow based on the fluffiness of Bear's bottom.
The author makes some pointed commentaries on those who love to complain and just want to run away from a less-than-perfect world, than actually try to do something about it with Rabbit's reaction to a messy post-winter world with lots of poop piles uncovered by the melting snow. He also manages to find a guana island (which according to the back of the book is a real thing...blech) but also brings Rabbit to a breaking point and helps him realize he can be part of the solution and that every little bit helps. I can see this being a poignant read for kids who just like to complain and not be part of the solution (or adults of the same bent), but I think most kids are just going to be hung up on all the talk about poop and miss the point. Hopefully not, because it is a super message the author is trying to convey for our world today, but that's my fear.
Notes on content:
Language: None (the poop is always just called poop and nothing else)
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: N/A characters all forest animals
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: As mentioned, lots of poop talk and illustrations. At one point someone designs a pillow based on the fluffiness of Bear's bottom.
December 23, 2024
In this hilarious new installment of the Rabbit & Bear series, Rabbit is feeling disillusioned by the not so perfect beginning to spring. His solution? To realise his Vision of creating the perfect world. Bear is a bit unsure but Rabbit proceeds to corral all the animals together in order to sell them his idea. Unfortunately for him, everyone has a different idea of what a perfect world should be and, in his usual grumpy, disgruntled style, Rabbit storms off to find the perfect world by himself. And it looks for a while like he does find exactly what he is searching for. But all is not as it seems. Luckily for Rabbit, he has a good friend he can always rely on to have his back.
This story addresses something that we all tend to do: take what we have for granted and assume that the grass is always greener on the other side. In Rabbit's case, he is quick to point out the faults of his home and his companions but only when it looks like he is going to lose it all does he realise how good he had it. He is fortunate enough to have a kind and patient friend in Bear who sticks with him through his little tantrum, sees him through a difficult time, helps him to understand the situation more clearly and guides him in setting things right.
As always, the story is infused with jokes that will have you chuckling away and the illustrations contribute as much to the enjoyment of reading this book as does the text. A thoroughly entertaining story that imparts since important messages in the most unpreachy way possible.
This story addresses something that we all tend to do: take what we have for granted and assume that the grass is always greener on the other side. In Rabbit's case, he is quick to point out the faults of his home and his companions but only when it looks like he is going to lose it all does he realise how good he had it. He is fortunate enough to have a kind and patient friend in Bear who sticks with him through his little tantrum, sees him through a difficult time, helps him to understand the situation more clearly and guides him in setting things right.
As always, the story is infused with jokes that will have you chuckling away and the illustrations contribute as much to the enjoyment of reading this book as does the text. A thoroughly entertaining story that imparts since important messages in the most unpreachy way possible.
April 13, 2026
For whatever reason, I love this series with all my heart! I think it's because Rabbit and Bear, through their various misadventures, end up articulating what is often in my heart and unspoken. For example, Rabbit is so very sure about something, then realizes he's somewhat mistaken, then goes into DESPAIR--"I am a Total Failure and everything is terrible ... and the universe will fall apart, and it is all my fault." And Bear calmly says (oh, so like my therapist), "Take the next step."
So--emotional articulation, great friends, happy endings, and of course a side of poop.
So--emotional articulation, great friends, happy endings, and of course a side of poop.
April 13, 2024
Fun-filled illustrated chapter book, great for children of 6+ building reading confidence. My full review is here:
Review: Rabbit & Bear This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field This Lake is Fake is the sixth and final title in the popular Rabbit & Bear series, written by Julian Gough and illustrated by Jim Field. This … http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
Review: Rabbit & Bear This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field This Lake is Fake is the sixth and final title in the popular Rabbit & Bear series, written by Julian Gough and illustrated by Jim Field. This … http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
July 12, 2024
The children at my school love this series and I can see why. Great illustrations, entertaining characters and a moral that isn’t too heavy handed generally.
This book was great fun with elements that parents will enjoy as well as children. Rabbit and Bear continues to be one of my go to reading recommendations for children who are starting to look for slightly longer books, great series and this new instalment is on a par with those that came before it.
This book was great fun with elements that parents will enjoy as well as children. Rabbit and Bear continues to be one of my go to reading recommendations for children who are starting to look for slightly longer books, great series and this new instalment is on a par with those that came before it.
April 11, 2026
Leuk en mooi boek, heel geschikt om als kind samen met een volwassene te lezen. Voorlezen in een groep zou ik niet doen omdat je dan de geweldige illustraties mist.
Het verhaal voelde heel filmisch! In de infoflap van het bibliotheekboek staan 'vriendschap' en 'lente', ik zou daar 'poep' aan toe voegen. Uiteraard zeer geschikt voor kinderen tot +/- 9 jaar oud.
Het verhaal voelde heel filmisch! In de infoflap van het bibliotheekboek staan 'vriendschap' en 'lente', ik zou daar 'poep' aan toe voegen. Uiteraard zeer geschikt voor kinderen tot +/- 9 jaar oud.
August 18, 2024
Ein zuckersüßes Buch für Erstleser*innen über Freundschaft und Gemeinschaft.
Das kleine Format ist perfekt für Kinderhände und die hauptsächlich schwarz-weiß Illustrationen mit roten Akzenten verleihen dem Buch einen ganz eigenen Charakter.
Das kleine Format ist perfekt für Kinderhände und die hauptsächlich schwarz-weiß Illustrationen mit roten Akzenten verleihen dem Buch einen ganz eigenen Charakter.
July 16, 2026
This is the second book from the series we read. While we loved book one neither my son (5years) nor me liked this one. While the poo references for the fist one was still funny, this one was just over the top. It’s great that it is based on real facts, and the overall moral of the story is great too, but we just didn’t like it.
March 26, 2025
There is a good message to the book, but LOTS of poop throughout the story.
May 18, 2025
It was really good.
August 27, 2025
2.5 stars. Mostly dialogue & quite preachy, but I like the message at least & it’s overall not too annoying. My toddler liked the audiobook
May 18, 2024
Rabbit and Bear have woken in their cave. It’s smelly and messy and Rabbit isn’t happy. Bear points out they’ve eaten all the food and the mess is the result. Rabbit still isn’t happy and imagines the perfect world with no poo.
There are marshmallows and hot chocolate in his vision and no jobs to do, like cleaning up poo. When they emerge from their winter cave, it is nothing like Rabbit imagined. He tries to tell their animal friends of what he’s seen in his head, but they don’t quite see it like he does.
Rabbit and his ever-patient friend Bear set off to look for Rabbit’s perfect world. Bear is just trying to help his wee demanding and difficult friend and stays with him as Rabbit realises his dream isn’t as perfect as first thought.
The 6th book in this delightful series about friendship, learning about others, and in this episode, realising what you already have.
It also features lots and lots of poo. Waking up with it, having to clean it up, trying to avoid it, and ending up waist deep in it!
This of course will appeal to young readers or listeners, and I must admit I laughed out loud several times while reading this. The life advice of tackling a daunting job in small bites to achieve a goal is also a thread throughout. This Lake is Fake is my favourite Rabbit and Bear yet.
Age – 6+
There are marshmallows and hot chocolate in his vision and no jobs to do, like cleaning up poo. When they emerge from their winter cave, it is nothing like Rabbit imagined. He tries to tell their animal friends of what he’s seen in his head, but they don’t quite see it like he does.
Rabbit and his ever-patient friend Bear set off to look for Rabbit’s perfect world. Bear is just trying to help his wee demanding and difficult friend and stays with him as Rabbit realises his dream isn’t as perfect as first thought.
The 6th book in this delightful series about friendship, learning about others, and in this episode, realising what you already have.
It also features lots and lots of poo. Waking up with it, having to clean it up, trying to avoid it, and ending up waist deep in it!
This of course will appeal to young readers or listeners, and I must admit I laughed out loud several times while reading this. The life advice of tackling a daunting job in small bites to achieve a goal is also a thread throughout. This Lake is Fake is my favourite Rabbit and Bear yet.
Age – 6+
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July 30, 2026Not chocolate but poop
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews