The Wild Season: The Remarkable True Story of a Rabbit Rescue

by Dashka Slater

When four pet rabbits are abandoned in a city park, a community rallies together to save them in this remarkable true story from award-winning, bestselling author Dashka Slater’s.

No one knows how a bunch of pet rabbits ended up in a San Francisco park—but one thing is they don’t belong. Predators are circling, and if they aren’t rescued soon, the park itself will be overrun. From the moment they’re spotted, the countdown begins.
 
Join a cast of kids hiding out in forts, keen-eyed teenagers surveying the park, rabbit experts setting traps, and scores of neighbors willing to do anything to help as they rally together in pursuit of rabbits.
 
This exceptional true story comes together in a beautifully illustrated package complete with extra material at the back of the book offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the author uncovered the story of a remarkable rabbit rescue.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Dashka Slater’s novel, The Wishing Box, was named one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times, which called it “an impish novel, hopeful and full of humor.” She is the author of four acclaimed children's books: Baby Shoes; Firefighters in the Dark; The Sea Serpent and Me and Dangerously Ever After. She has two picture books forthcoming in 2017, as well as the much-anticipated Young Adult non-fiction narrative The 57 Bus.

Slater is also an award-winning journalist who has written for such publications as Newsweek, More, Salon, Mother Jones, Sierra, and The New York Times Magazine. The recipient of a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, she is currently working on new books for both children and adults. Learn more at www.dashkaslater.com.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool story- who would have thought a few domesticated rabbits who ended up in a well-traveled park in California would have captivated so many people's attention and become a riveting 200+ page book? I do know, Slater is an articulate and thoughtful writer finding the story that people want to read and writing it in a way that is engaging, entertaining, and at times, reflective. What is our responsibility to the larger world? Animals versus humans? Helping one another? Problem solving? It's all there in a cool rabbit rescue story.

[Jess]

What a heartwarming story! Animal lovers of all ages will adore this true story of the rescue of domestic rabbits from a park where they were abandoned in San Francisco. As a rabbit rescuer myself, this book was especially tender and moving.

The author writes with warmth and compassion and an impressive amount of bunny knowledge. Thank you for telling this tale!

[Simone LaShea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, sweet book this was. There’s something so inspiring about hearing about things like this happening. People really can make a difference…even if it’s just by trying to catch some rabbits. I’m an adult and enjoyed this thoroughly, and I’m confident kids would eat this book up!

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself could have been half the length. I like the history and informative bits, but they distracted from the actual story which didn't need to be as long as it was. I think it would make an outstanding picture book.