The Easter Bunny That Overslept

by Priscilla Friedrich, Otto Friedrich, Donald Saaf (Illustrator)

One spring morning, the Easter Bunny skips merrily along to deliver his colorful, hand-painted eggs. But the children tell him that it's Mother's Day, which can only mean one thing: HE SLEPT THROUGH EASTER! Nobody wants eggs on Mother's Day, or on the Fourth of July -- and especially not on Halloween. Children will sympathize with the little bunny's plight and cheer when bunny finally finds a helper.

Originally published in 1957, The Easter Bunny that Overslept now returns with a fresh look.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Classics, Christmas, Rabbits

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is somewhat of a sad story. The Easter bunny overslept and now no one wants his eggs. He shows up on Mother’s Day and the 4th of July and even Halloween and no one wants his eggs. I suppose they have no meaning. He goes to work for Santa during Christmas season and Santa gives him a golden alarm clock so he’s ready this year.

The artwork is strange and I’m not sure I like the way the bunny looks. It is a little odd.

The kids were lukewarm about this book. They were a little sad for the bunny and it was a bummer of a story mostly. The kids were fidgety and not much engaged. The nephew declared this book boring and he gave it 2 stars, but he still wanted the Easter bunny to bring him lots of candy. The niece simply said he should get up early anyway to have all the eggs made. She gave this 1 star. This didn’t go over well in our house is all I can say.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Easter Bunny That Overslept, illustrated by Adrienne Adams.

Originally published in 1957, and then again in 1988 with updated illustrations by the original artist (Adrienne Adams), this cute holiday story follows the adventures of the Easter Bunny, who sleeps late one rainy Easter morning, completely missing the big day! When he eventually does awaken, he discovers that his efforts to distribute his eggs are in vain: nobody wants colored eggs on Mother's Day, the Fourth of July, or Halloween. The bunny, who had grown more and more discouraged, eventually lands on Santa's doorstep, where the kindly Christmas hero takes him in, gives him something to do, in the form of making toys for children, and most importantly, gives him a gift that will come in very handy next Easter.

More of a general holiday book than an exclusively Easter story - in addition to Easter, the holidays of Mother's Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas all feature in the story - The Easter Bunny That Overslept is a title I picked up largely because of its illustrator. I am a great admirer of Adrienne Adams' work, from the illustrations she contributed to some of Rumer Godden's books - The Story of Holly and Ivy , Candy Floss - to her own enchanting (and somewhat creepy) witchy tales, A Halloween Happening and A Woggle of Witches . As expected, I greatly enjoyed the artwork here, finding the woodland scenes, both winter and summer, particularly fine. I don't think that this story would have been as appealing to me without Adams' artwork, so although I see that there is a newer version from 2002 with illustrations by Donald Saaf, and although I usually like to compare different illustrators' interpretations of the same story, I think I'll just let this one be. Recommended to young readers looking for lighthearted holiday stories, and to fellow fans of Adrienne Adams.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this to kids from kindergarten up to sixth grade and they all have enjoyed it! This is a delightful story of the Easter Bunny who slept through Easter and tries to give his Easter eggs out when he wakes up. He encounters some unhappy people and he tries to find a solution by being a Fourth of July bunny! Kids of all ages will enjoy the adventure that the Easter bunny goes on. It also teaches some great lessons about the importance of being on time and treating others with kindness.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the lovely art by Adrienne Adams, and am pleased to report that the scanned, free to borrow copy that is on openlibrary.org is this one. See: https://openlibrary.org/books/OL34931...

Such sad story until the end... not scary sad or bad, but oh how a child will ache for the good-natured bunny who only wants to do his job, to make up for his mistake. Oh the rude people that shoo him away, the children that mock him, how even my jaded heart ached for the little hero.

But yes, there is a happy ending... one that some children might be able to guess at the beginning. Don't let them blurt it out if they are reading it with others!

A glimpse of the cover of the new edition just turns me off. It does not seem like that illustrator understood the story at all, mistakenly thinking it a cute or funny one. Skip that edition.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Easter Bunny accidentally wakes up in May one year and cleverly tries to make it up to everyone by painting Fourth of July eggs ... but nobody likes his attempts. Eggs are for Easter.

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: Halloween is in the story, with several children dressed as ghosts trick-or-treating at the Easter Bunny's door. The Easter Bunny visits Santa Claus and helps him make and deliver toys.

#easter #easterbunny

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even when you love your job and it allows you to make people happy, when you are snug and cozy in your bed on a rainy day it seems the logical thing to sleep in. The trouble is, that for an Easter bunny, if the day he continues to sleep is his ONE big important day of the year, how will he make up the time?
This is a determined bunny and he tries again and again to deliver his beautifully colored eggs.

Some people are not as open to change as others and can't see the benefits of Easter eggs on different days. It takes one special person to make the sad Easter bunny feel better.

A cute story with amazing illustrations. A nice chance to talk to your kids about problem solving.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

23 months/30 months - We read this one last Easter from the library and I just found it for $1 at the thrift store. It's not the best Easter story but it can actually be read any time of year as it hits on all the major holidays with a big nod to Christmas. O likes to read holiday stories throughout the year so this one works for her.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story--I love how the conflict is resolved. Sometimes you *can't* fix things; all that you can do is make amends and move forward. :)

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliving my childhood in 32 pages.

[Sarah Alley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the illustrations were kind of creepy, and it’s a sad, weird story. I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This vintage (first published in 1957) book was freshened up in 2002 with Donald Saaf's collages, and probably had some text updates, too. The result is a book that has preserved the sweetness of a previous era of children's picture books and is still appealing to contemporary readers. The illustrations are fascinating, holding up to close scrutiny. The story proceeds through the year's big childhood holidays, serving as a review of the calendar and some traditions of Easter, July Fourth, Halloween, and Christmas. I am happy to have discovered this book to share with my First grade students.

i have since read the original version, and it is not as appealing as the updated version. I don't think my young students will find the original as engaging.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it teaches a lesson about timing and I enjoyed the Holiday mentor that helped get he Easter bunny back on track and make him feel useful and not silly. Really cute illustrations as well.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book out of the library today and decided to read it through. It's short and very cute. The authors wrote the original in the 1950's and the story still gets a lot of smiles no matter what the age is - even adults reading to a young child. This Easter Bunny is so excited about his beautiful colored eggs in a basket. He can't wait to give them away, but instead of giving out the eggs, he ends up sleeping a very lengthy sleep and then decides to give them away. However, when he wants to give them away, he is told it is Mother's Day not Easter. He left carrying his basket very sad and decided to wait until July 4. The same thing happened that day and on until Halloween and Christmas. At Christimas in the North Pole where he accidentally ended up, The Easter Bunny helped Santa deliver packages in his sleigh. When they returned to Santa's house, the Bunny was presented with a gift from Santa...an alarm clock to remind him to wake up on time for Easter next year! The illustrations by Donald Saaf were excellent and very well done. This is a wonderful read for young children.

[Phil Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how old one gets there are certain things one must always do: such as six impossible things before breakfast, jumping in puddles and re-reading these childhood classics. To make it normal I read it to my dog - she loved it by the by. This is one of those stories that thrills a person when they are 6, 46 or 66. Great illustrations, I loved the Halloween part, and a brilliant story overall. Nothing like going back to the basics to rediscover the joy of humanity.

[Irina Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can relate, little bunny.
A tender, amusing story with an undercurrent of sadness that made my heart ache. The illustrations are adorable - from the bunny's little dejected face to the moody winter woodland, from a cozy underground den to Santa's cheerful parlor, everything captured that gentle sadness and the bunny's innocent joy and satisfaction when given a chance to make up for his missed holiday.

[Aliraluna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite sad story, I would have liked the rabbit to realize his worth and/or that he doesn't need to please everyone. Didn't liked that the other only accepted his eggs during Easter even when he went to the extent of changing the design of the eggs to it matched other season...still, is a book that has lovely illustrations and a story that I will remember.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a rainy Spring season, the Easter Bunny, snug as a bug in his warm, dry burrow oversleeps and doesn't wake until Mother's Day. Attempting to deliver his eggs, no one seems to want them during any of the other holidays, and the Easter Bunny finds himself working at Santa's workshop. Santa gives the Easter Bunny a nice gift, which helps him to never be tardy, or oversleep again.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's a poor Easter bunny to do when he can't get rid of his eggs because he missed his big day? This dilemma is played out through the year when finally Santa comes to the rescue and gives the bunny back some meaning for his life. And an alarm clock! There are a few messages to be taken from the story: tardiness, determination, kindness, and above all, change your ways if necessary.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could have read an earlier edition of The Easter Bunny That Overslept. While I think the story has merit I just hate the illustrations by Donald Saaf. They just don't feel warm or consistent and that just put me off.

[mybookishtravels · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because the film "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" was adapted from it. I have to say I found the book disappointing and I actually prefer the movie to the book. It's still a cute story...but definitely check out the film.

[Sem · Rating 3 out of 5]

People are far too demanding if they won't accept eggs from the Easter Bunny at any other time of year and he's forced to do menial work for Santa Claus.

Note: I read the edition with updated illustrations by Adrienne Adams not the later edition with rather horrid illustrations by someone else.

[Georgia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What if" we were to wake up one day and realize we missed our destiny? What then? What can we do? How will we live? How do we go forward after messing up? Do we stop or keep on trying? Is the future worth it? Yes, this book says.

A beautiful lesson for children and adults of every age.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about it, because it has an alarm clock in it.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would happen if the Easter Bunny missed Easter. Would you take an egg on Mother’s Day? What about the 4th of July or Halloween. He finally finds his place helping Santa prepare for Christmas.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book

[Gracie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because at the end the Easter bunny was on time"- A

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the Easter Bunny and how he overslept one year and how no one wanted his eggs. The next year he learned his lesson and was on time.

[Veena · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute little book about the Easter bunny throughout the year.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too long for a child, and very very boring.