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Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny
Jeremy is a handmade English bunny with honesty sewn into his very being. So when he learns that he was made for someone in North Carolina, Jeremy hops right off to deliver himself to his new owner. But North Carolina is a long way from England, as Jeremy quickly learns. Before he can be safely home, Jeremy must rely on help from many people. There's old Mr. Pruneholt, who shows Jeremy where to find America; the kindly sea captain and his chattering parrot, Jethro, who see Jeremy across the water, and the unforgettable Village Dear. Most important of all are the family of young bunnies who teach Jeremy how wonderful it is to be needed. Though he'd love to stay with them, Jeremy can't forget that he has someone waiting for him and must keep moving until he arrives at her doorstep. Jeremy, the Tale of an Honest Bunny is a story of adventure and friendship, full of humor, inspiration, and joy. It is the story of any child who is away from home-and the miracles found on the way to being safe at last. Jan Karon says, "I wanted to do something for my daughter that would last a long time-perhaps even a lifetime. So I wrote a book about a bunny named Jeremy who went on a journey. In the story I included the consoling verse from Psalm 91, the verse we might all hope and pray for our "He will give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." Throughout the book there are detailed watercolor illustrations from acclaimed artist Teri Weidner . Designed with an old-fashioned charm to match the story's flavor, the book even includes a ribbon with which to keep your place as you read. Make a place on your shelf for Jeremy alongside your favorite books from childhood-and then be ready to take it down from the shelf again and again.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published December 21, 1999
3 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
142 books2,812 followersBorn Janice Meredith Wilson in 1937, Jan Karon was raised on a farm near Lenoir, North Carolina. Karon knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a writer. She penned her first novel when she was 10 years old, the same year she won a short-story contest organized by the local high school. Karon married as a teenager and had a daughter, Candace.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 28, 2016
Found this adorable little book as I rearranging bookshelves. Not sure who gave it to which of our children, but our second daughter was the bunny collector so it was/is probably hers. Anyway, I will save it until such time as she might want it for her little ones.
Jeremy is a delightful bunny on a mission. He is traveling from England to America in search of his new home. Along the way he meets many new friends, has adventures and endears himself to all.
From Jan Karon, probably better known to most as the author of the Mitford series. A charming bunny tail, I mean tale. ☺☺☺
Jeremy is a delightful bunny on a mission. He is traveling from England to America in search of his new home. Along the way he meets many new friends, has adventures and endears himself to all.
From Jan Karon, probably better known to most as the author of the Mitford series. A charming bunny tail, I mean tale. ☺☺☺
January 7, 2024
I think my cat also liked it💗
December 2, 2014
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is what comes to mind while reading this book. Edward had a much more engaging story than Jeremy. While Edward learned to love, this story leaves the reader thinking that Jeremy is able to receive salvation. I'm a big animal fan but I don't like the concept behind that theology. It was an alright book at most.
February 22, 2015
A very cute story of a bunny who travels to find his new home after being made by a lady with a lot of love. Fun characters he meets along the way, lessons learned, and just a lot of fun. Would be a fun one to read with early readers!
October 14, 2025
Cute story about a hand made bunny delivering himself to a little girl.
September 16, 2024
A very sweet book. My 7 year old boy says it’s his favorite book so far.
June 17, 2015
Simple prose. Cute story. Beautiful, memorable illustrations. The language doesn't sparkle, but the story and characters are quirky enough to capture the imagination. The characters are fun but not particularly memorable. I have issues with some of the grammar choices (the placement of certain ellipses feels unpolished); there is a grammar mistake that I found. The concept of a stuffed bunny coming alive is cute but also a bit underdeveloped. There are gaps/inconsistencies in Jeremy's knowledge of himself and of the world around him. And at the end, the preacher gives Jeremy, a-stuffed-bunny-turned-real, a mini sermon on Jeremy's eternal salvation ("you'll someday go to live in a heavenly home, with the One who has bought you," when, really, the reader knows that Jeremy wasn't *bought* but stitched together by Lydia in front of an English hearth); the suspension of disbelief here is just slightly difficult. It's personification gone too far. It's supposed to be a heartening Christian message but just ends up feeling empty. Also, the subplot of Jeremy paying the Owl with the buttons off his vest is never properly resolved. The Owl ends up not needing to be paid, but the buttons are simply not mentioned again until later in the story when they are referred to as still being on Jeremy's vest. A truly honest bunny would have mentioned them to the Owl again before getting out of dodge.
August 20, 2014
"Jeremy" has left me feeling perplexed. In an effort to demonstrate the value of honesty to my daughter, I sourced many books from the library and proceeded to read them together over a short period of time. I will say first that "Jeremy" is a long story for a 4-5 year old. We broke this down into sections.
The story has incredible flow, vivid imagery and a wonderful use of the imagination.
However, I found myself wondering if Jeremy had in fact been honest about the right thing by the end of the story. He had made a promise to his maker but along the way discovered parts of himself that he also could have been honest with and changed course. Life does that sometimes, we head out in one direction for all the right reasons and with conviction. Along the way we may discover a part of ourselves that we did not know existed and yet struggle with keeping the original promise.
Jeremy did in fact honour his word and fulfill the promise, but I'm not convinced it's the right lesson on complete honesty with oneself.
Karon's "Jeremy" has left me with something to chew on, of this I'm certain.
A great read nonetheless and well worth exploring fully.
The story has incredible flow, vivid imagery and a wonderful use of the imagination.
However, I found myself wondering if Jeremy had in fact been honest about the right thing by the end of the story. He had made a promise to his maker but along the way discovered parts of himself that he also could have been honest with and changed course. Life does that sometimes, we head out in one direction for all the right reasons and with conviction. Along the way we may discover a part of ourselves that we did not know existed and yet struggle with keeping the original promise.
Jeremy did in fact honour his word and fulfill the promise, but I'm not convinced it's the right lesson on complete honesty with oneself.
Karon's "Jeremy" has left me with something to chew on, of this I'm certain.
A great read nonetheless and well worth exploring fully.
August 8, 2014
If you enjoy the writings of Jan Karon and the Mitford series, I think you will enjoy this tale. The illustrations are lovely, and as always with Karon, the writing is soft, gentle and relaxing.
Jeremy is hand made by a lovely woman who lives with her husband in an English cottage. When each of the creations is finished, the come to life when given a name.
Destined to be sent to the purchaser who lives in the United States. Jeremy refuses to be boxed to North Carolina. Instead, he uses his ingenuity to find his way to the owner.
Along the way, there are many escapades and he learns the difference between kindness and nastiness.
A simple tale for a day when delightful images and text provide balm for the soul.
Jeremy is hand made by a lovely woman who lives with her husband in an English cottage. When each of the creations is finished, the come to life when given a name.
Destined to be sent to the purchaser who lives in the United States. Jeremy refuses to be boxed to North Carolina. Instead, he uses his ingenuity to find his way to the owner.
Along the way, there are many escapades and he learns the difference between kindness and nastiness.
A simple tale for a day when delightful images and text provide balm for the soul.
April 6, 2022
I enjoy Jan Karon's Mitford series, and hoped the same sweet humor would come through in this children's story. It fell flat for me. Saccharine and a bit preachy. The story could have been really cute but I found myself anxious to be finished and on to a new book, and Tripp wasn't interested in it at all. *sigh* They can't all be winners!
December 29, 2017
This is a very cute children's book with great pictures included. The child needs either to be reading or be able to sit and listen as it is a bit long for the young ones. I highly recommend it for those of you who have young children.
November 20, 2015
This beautifully illustrated book is a "hero takes a journey" story. A handmade bunny refuses to be shipped across the ocean in a box, taking the job of delivering himself to his new home in North Carolina.
While the story was sweet, it failed to fully engage me.
While the story was sweet, it failed to fully engage me.
March 24, 2016
HB-B @ 2000, 12/02. Books for very young readers. Unwilling to be sent to America in a box, Jeremy, a very special rabbit, sets off to make his own way to his new home, with his maker's blessing to keep him safe through a series of adventures. Cute.
July 31, 2013
Jeremy was made for a special purpose and he must deliver himself to a little girl named Candace. This is a nice story will an underlining spiritual meaning. A great read and I recommend it.
February 17, 2014
sweet, predictable, nice illustrations of a stuffed bunny trying to find his way to the girl to whom he belongs
July 28, 2014
Cute children's book from one of my fav authors.
January 15, 2016
a good bedtime chapter book.
February 5, 2017
Loved this precious story! Can't wait to share with a special little one!
June 23, 2024
At face value, this is a cute story about a woman who makes extremely lifelike plush animals for sale. If you think about it a little longer, it's slightly horrifying, since she can somehow BRING THEM TO LIFE* but then mails them in small, dark boxes until they get to their recipients, and... live forever? That's something they never cover in stories like these, what happens to a toy that outlives its owners? Most, if not all, stories just sort of avoid the subject since it's a downer.
The story itself is a little questionable, due to the whole "doll is alive" part. Like, when you order a thing, you generally expect it to arrive in reasonably good condition, with allowances for small imperfections since it's a handmade toy or whatever. Here is an alive product that understandably doesn't want to get into a small, dark box to go who knows where and instead decides he will just go to where he's supposed to go on his own, in the process getting dirty and who knows what else. Can't say that's good service!
Ignoring incidental damages, since I would have to assume that the recipients are informed in advance that their dolls are fully alive, THEN the story is nice and wholesome. It then becomes more of an adoption than a purchase, and the adopted toy goes on a fun adventure (that relies on a LOT of good luck and avoiding foxes that I guess don't know the difference between a fake and a real rabbit) that he can share with his new owner.
I do take issue with the man who took the two baby bunnies when a dog chased off the mother bunny—as the mother later comments when she finds them, they took her babies away from her! Real bunnies don't have the ability to protest their children's abduction, unfortunately, and the man should really have left them where they were, or given them shelter nearby.
Recommended for fans of stories like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, though it's less dire than Peter Rabbit, haha. The cover is cute, too, since the dust jacket has a window in it to show the full illustration of Jeremy on the book cover underneath!
*Jeremy actually comments that he remembers something from before he was even finished, so it might not even be the woman's power or whatever, but the plush toy equivalent of being in the womb, which has the unintended effect of suggesting that all of one's unfinished projects are just hanging around in semi-conscious state, waiting to be born. Yikes, way to make me feel bad about not finishing things!
The story itself is a little questionable, due to the whole "doll is alive" part. Like, when you order a thing, you generally expect it to arrive in reasonably good condition, with allowances for small imperfections since it's a handmade toy or whatever. Here is an alive product that understandably doesn't want to get into a small, dark box to go who knows where and instead decides he will just go to where he's supposed to go on his own, in the process getting dirty and who knows what else. Can't say that's good service!
Ignoring incidental damages, since I would have to assume that the recipients are informed in advance that their dolls are fully alive, THEN the story is nice and wholesome. It then becomes more of an adoption than a purchase, and the adopted toy goes on a fun adventure (that relies on a LOT of good luck and avoiding foxes that I guess don't know the difference between a fake and a real rabbit) that he can share with his new owner.
I do take issue with the man who took the two baby bunnies when a dog chased off the mother bunny—as the mother later comments when she finds them, they took her babies away from her! Real bunnies don't have the ability to protest their children's abduction, unfortunately, and the man should really have left them where they were, or given them shelter nearby.
Recommended for fans of stories like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, though it's less dire than Peter Rabbit, haha. The cover is cute, too, since the dust jacket has a window in it to show the full illustration of Jeremy on the book cover underneath!
*Jeremy actually comments that he remembers something from before he was even finished, so it might not even be the woman's power or whatever, but the plush toy equivalent of being in the womb, which has the unintended effect of suggesting that all of one's unfinished projects are just hanging around in semi-conscious state, waiting to be born. Yikes, way to make me feel bad about not finishing things!
July 19, 2017
Loved this. In Jan Karon's Mitford series the main female character, Cynthia, is an author. She writes children's books, so Karon decided to write the children's books that Cynthia was writing. Genius. Lovely. Fun. Great for kids or parents to read-aloud.
Jeremy is a sweet little bunny on a trip because he is afraid of the dark closed in space of a box and does not want to be mailed. So he is off on a journey to deliver himself to the person who bought him. He meets many interesting people along the way. Helps some of them out.
This is a spiritual book, as is the Mitford series...
“I have spoken to my maker about your journey, and you must carry these words with you.
'For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
'They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest though dash thy foot against the stone.'”
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
A book from a Non-human perspective
Jeremy is a sweet little bunny on a trip because he is afraid of the dark closed in space of a box and does not want to be mailed. So he is off on a journey to deliver himself to the person who bought him. He meets many interesting people along the way. Helps some of them out.
This is a spiritual book, as is the Mitford series...
“I have spoken to my maker about your journey, and you must carry these words with you.
'For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
'They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest though dash thy foot against the stone.'”
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
A book from a Non-human perspective
March 20, 2023
Jan Karon is an author who, I think, everyone should try reading. Not only did she write "The Mitford Series", but she has written several books for children...perfect books for parents to read with their children.
This is obviously about Jeremy, the "honest" bunny. He is seen by John Sweeney when he is coming home from the village to his wife, Lydia. She has sewn a large, fawn-colored bunny, who when he gets his name, can talk. He was made to be an honest bunny, no matter what happens. He was made for a special little girl in America, Candace. The book goes on to tell about Jeremy's adventure to get to America itself, and all the other experiences that he goes through to find Candace. The story illustrates Psalm 91: 'he will give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways' ".
This is obviously about Jeremy, the "honest" bunny. He is seen by John Sweeney when he is coming home from the village to his wife, Lydia. She has sewn a large, fawn-colored bunny, who when he gets his name, can talk. He was made to be an honest bunny, no matter what happens. He was made for a special little girl in America, Candace. The book goes on to tell about Jeremy's adventure to get to America itself, and all the other experiences that he goes through to find Candace. The story illustrates Psalm 91: 'he will give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways' ".
October 11, 2024
Jeremy The Tale of an Honest Bunny is by Jan Karon. I am a huge fan of Karon's Mitford series, having read/listened to it numerous times. Jeremy is an uplifting tale more suited to a child, although it seems pretty advanced for a young child. It tells of a bunny made by a girl in England and destined for a girl in North Carolina. Jeremy takes off to "deliver himself" to America. On the way he helps and is helped by several different characters, all supporting the idea of a society that helps itself if it helps others. Jeremy must overcome many obstacles to make it across the the ocean.
August 30, 2020
A brief tale, but delightful. Guided by the words, "For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.", Jeremy sets out to deliver himself to Candace Freeland in North Carolina. Along the way he runs into problems and meets some warm-hearted folks (who might be angels in disguise).
(I read actually read ISBN 0-670-88104-X rebound in a hardcover. The picture on the front was more complete, like this edition. That's why I used this edition.)
(I read actually read ISBN 0-670-88104-X rebound in a hardcover. The picture on the front was more complete, like this edition. That's why I used this edition.)
October 3, 2022
3rd-4th grade reading level, 2nd-5th grade interest level (c) 2000
Interesting sweet children's story by author Jan Karon, author of the best-selling Mitford series (of which I've read most of) wrote a children's book of a hand-made bunny who can talk to humans as well as all the animals, who can also talk, he meets on his adventure from England to the USA.
Interesting sweet children's story by author Jan Karon, author of the best-selling Mitford series (of which I've read most of) wrote a children's book of a hand-made bunny who can talk to humans as well as all the animals, who can also talk, he meets on his adventure from England to the USA.
August 25, 2023
What a delightful little story! I loved how Jeremy's maker, Lydia, sent him off on his adventure with a reminder from HER Maker. This is a beautiful book to remind children (and all of us, truly!) what it might mean to 'entertain angels unaware'.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
December 29, 2018
I may be reading to much into it, but I saw this story as an allegory for the Christian Life. It is a very sweet children's book, with a message of faith woven throughout.
March 5, 2019
Love it!! Awesome book for everyone different ages😊
March 6, 2021
Adorable.
October 4, 2022
This was a cute story, with some religious undertones and verses.
November 16, 2023
Adorable. Absolutely adorable. Simple and quick read. Can’t wait to read aloud to my boys.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews