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Mister Fluffy Bunny
WARNING: Contains violence, drug references and cute stuffed toys. Dana was found wandering alone in the Mexican desert in the midst of a drug war. Sheriff Garcia takes her to the Silver Plains orphanage, having her declared a ward of the state temporarily so he can focus on searching for her parents. When the sheriff is killed, Dana has to face the prospect she's never getting out of Silver Plains. Dejected and downcast, her only hope lies in the comfort of a stuffed toy—Mister Fluffy Bunny.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 4, 2021
When a young girl named Dana is abandoned in a dusty part of Mexico, the local lawman is unclear what to do with her. Eventually he settles on placing her into the temporary care of a local woman, who in turn decides that a streetwise boy should take her to a nearby building used to house kids, all of which are without proper care for one reason or another. Dana, shaken by recent events and feeling alone, uses a soft toy in the form of a rabbit, Mister Fluffy Bunny, as a means of comfort and from which to draw strength. As the hours pass, Dana faces the harsh world the other children inhabit and discovers that the building may not be all it seems on the surface.
Peter Cawdron’s novelette creates an evocative sense of place. The Mexican desert setting is conveyed with the barest of description, skilfully implemented, giving the story a vivid atmosphere and cinematic immediacy. The main character, Dana, is just the sort of spunky little girl I like to see in fiction—courageous in overcoming her fears and facing a chaotic and threatening world with determination. Cawdron includes a brief afterward, in which he explains why, in his mind, it is important to include children in difficult situations, and not condescend to them in literature. This novelette is somewhat aimed at a lower age range, and some of the scenarios and themes included are ones of a threatening adult world. I agree wholeheartedly with Cawdron’s position here, and can imagine when younger being absorbed by the sense of jeopardy and adventure the story includes. Having said that, it’s a fine and compelling story generally, with sensitively drawn characters and a tight effective plot. If I have one complaint it is that the ending seemed a little rushed.
A tense, moving, and gritty story featuring a talismanic fluffy bunny.
Peter Cawdron’s novelette creates an evocative sense of place. The Mexican desert setting is conveyed with the barest of description, skilfully implemented, giving the story a vivid atmosphere and cinematic immediacy. The main character, Dana, is just the sort of spunky little girl I like to see in fiction—courageous in overcoming her fears and facing a chaotic and threatening world with determination. Cawdron includes a brief afterward, in which he explains why, in his mind, it is important to include children in difficult situations, and not condescend to them in literature. This novelette is somewhat aimed at a lower age range, and some of the scenarios and themes included are ones of a threatening adult world. I agree wholeheartedly with Cawdron’s position here, and can imagine when younger being absorbed by the sense of jeopardy and adventure the story includes. Having said that, it’s a fine and compelling story generally, with sensitively drawn characters and a tight effective plot. If I have one complaint it is that the ending seemed a little rushed.
A tense, moving, and gritty story featuring a talismanic fluffy bunny.
October 15, 2020
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
It's not really the type of book I read, but I've loved enough of Cawdron's books to take a chance on anything he writes. And this book has plenty of charm, just not any aliens. :)
It's a short story about a girl's worst day. Seriously, it couldn't get any worse. But then things start to change as she befriends a bunny (no, not a rabbit) and she starts to make her own destiny. It's a fun read and the perfect length as to not get bogged down in details or have to make every character have a complicated backstory.
Read it!
It's not really the type of book I read, but I've loved enough of Cawdron's books to take a chance on anything he writes. And this book has plenty of charm, just not any aliens. :)
It's a short story about a girl's worst day. Seriously, it couldn't get any worse. But then things start to change as she befriends a bunny (no, not a rabbit) and she starts to make her own destiny. It's a fun read and the perfect length as to not get bogged down in details or have to make every character have a complicated backstory.
Read it!
January 11, 2019
Mister Fluffy Bunny is a short story, but it has so much ‘story’ in it, you won’t believe it is a short story.
The story follows a young girl, Dana, who has been brought to an orphanage to be cared for after her she is separated from her parents in an accident. The orphanage is in a part of Mexico, and the Sheriff in the area, Sheriff Garcia, drops Dana off to this rather amazing new world.
She has never experienced anything like the orphanage before in her life, and is immediately stunned by this new microcosm that exists in the middle of nowhere with all these children.
On entering the place, she notices a stuffed toy on a shelf, an old fluffy bunny, just sitting there doing nothing. She immediately gets an instant attraction to it as kids do, and asks for it, and the Sheriff gives it to her. From this point forward “Mister Fluffy Bunny” becomes a pivotal character in the story, with no actual part, no words, but at key points this inanimate object causes either subtle little effects, or more generally, he has a major impact on the course of events, dominating the story. The story is an incredible adventure all on its own, but watching for the parts were Mister Fluffy Bunny becomes the pivotal character, were he changes the story, turns the tide, or just has a minor impact to someone’s life makes this book just so much more fascinating and enjoyable.
Dana’s character is another Cawdron construct of pure perfection. She is a normal little girl, bewildered by the initial events occurring around her, but quickly adapting to her surroundings. She is different to everyone else, she doesn’t hold her tongue, speaking her mind whenever she likes. This both gets her into trouble with some, and endears her with others.
It is through her eyes, and the power of Mister Fluffy Bunny that we are led through this story, taken not only on an interesting journey into the depths of the orphanage, to meet a range of fascinating children, from Cassie who takes an instant liking to Dana and is very protective of her, to Sanchez who is meant to look after Dana for a bit of extra food, mainly Dana’s when she can’t finish, through to one of the best characters in the book, Big G, a kid who has been there for a while, who is just huge, at only young teens, he is already bigger than most men. But, he is the gentle giant for the right person. For the wrong person, well, things can get ugly.
And this is the magic of Cawdron’s Short Story, you could sit and write a novel on each of the characters, as he has given them so much depth, and so much background.
This book would make a wonderful story to study for an English class, to break down each of the characters, not just the kids but the adults as well.
As with all of Cawdron’s books, there is more than meets the eye, and Dana stumbles across something whilst at the orphanage, something that puts her life at risk. Very quickly the story goes from a fascinating exploration of the children in this very engaging (and all to realistic in some aspects) environment with its rules, guidelines, and thoroughly captivating children, and quickly becomes a run-for-your-life thriller. Cawdron manages to bring all of this together in what is only a Novella, and yet, you feel you have had a fully engaging experience, understanding all of the characters and the story. Most of all, you understand Mister Fluffy Bunny (Because that is the most important thing!)
This is one of the best short stories I have read all year, and I have been recommending it to everyone I know, if you love a good story, good characters, a bit of a thriller, humour, heartache, a bit of romance, this has just about everything. It is an incredibly powerful story that will leave you thinking about it for days afterward, and wanting to read it again very soon afterwards. It is an easy recommend, not just to read, but this has to be up for Short Story of the year. Don’t miss this book, you will want to know what others are talking about
The story follows a young girl, Dana, who has been brought to an orphanage to be cared for after her she is separated from her parents in an accident. The orphanage is in a part of Mexico, and the Sheriff in the area, Sheriff Garcia, drops Dana off to this rather amazing new world.
She has never experienced anything like the orphanage before in her life, and is immediately stunned by this new microcosm that exists in the middle of nowhere with all these children.
On entering the place, she notices a stuffed toy on a shelf, an old fluffy bunny, just sitting there doing nothing. She immediately gets an instant attraction to it as kids do, and asks for it, and the Sheriff gives it to her. From this point forward “Mister Fluffy Bunny” becomes a pivotal character in the story, with no actual part, no words, but at key points this inanimate object causes either subtle little effects, or more generally, he has a major impact on the course of events, dominating the story. The story is an incredible adventure all on its own, but watching for the parts were Mister Fluffy Bunny becomes the pivotal character, were he changes the story, turns the tide, or just has a minor impact to someone’s life makes this book just so much more fascinating and enjoyable.
Dana’s character is another Cawdron construct of pure perfection. She is a normal little girl, bewildered by the initial events occurring around her, but quickly adapting to her surroundings. She is different to everyone else, she doesn’t hold her tongue, speaking her mind whenever she likes. This both gets her into trouble with some, and endears her with others.
It is through her eyes, and the power of Mister Fluffy Bunny that we are led through this story, taken not only on an interesting journey into the depths of the orphanage, to meet a range of fascinating children, from Cassie who takes an instant liking to Dana and is very protective of her, to Sanchez who is meant to look after Dana for a bit of extra food, mainly Dana’s when she can’t finish, through to one of the best characters in the book, Big G, a kid who has been there for a while, who is just huge, at only young teens, he is already bigger than most men. But, he is the gentle giant for the right person. For the wrong person, well, things can get ugly.
And this is the magic of Cawdron’s Short Story, you could sit and write a novel on each of the characters, as he has given them so much depth, and so much background.
This book would make a wonderful story to study for an English class, to break down each of the characters, not just the kids but the adults as well.
As with all of Cawdron’s books, there is more than meets the eye, and Dana stumbles across something whilst at the orphanage, something that puts her life at risk. Very quickly the story goes from a fascinating exploration of the children in this very engaging (and all to realistic in some aspects) environment with its rules, guidelines, and thoroughly captivating children, and quickly becomes a run-for-your-life thriller. Cawdron manages to bring all of this together in what is only a Novella, and yet, you feel you have had a fully engaging experience, understanding all of the characters and the story. Most of all, you understand Mister Fluffy Bunny (Because that is the most important thing!)
This is one of the best short stories I have read all year, and I have been recommending it to everyone I know, if you love a good story, good characters, a bit of a thriller, humour, heartache, a bit of romance, this has just about everything. It is an incredibly powerful story that will leave you thinking about it for days afterward, and wanting to read it again very soon afterwards. It is an easy recommend, not just to read, but this has to be up for Short Story of the year. Don’t miss this book, you will want to know what others are talking about
April 26, 2020
Beautiful Story of Courage and Fighting for Family
What I liked best about this story is the way it made me feel. I hope my grandchildren would act with the courage and compassion of Dana and Mister Fluffy Bunny. Our character is strengthened with adversity, as Dana shows us time and again. I like how believable this story is, how appalling and how eye-opening. This is a story that will stick with you, influence your actions and entertain for a very long time. Happy to have found one of these rare books.
What I liked best about this story is the way it made me feel. I hope my grandchildren would act with the courage and compassion of Dana and Mister Fluffy Bunny. Our character is strengthened with adversity, as Dana shows us time and again. I like how believable this story is, how appalling and how eye-opening. This is a story that will stick with you, influence your actions and entertain for a very long time. Happy to have found one of these rare books.
April 6, 2021
A great change of pace!
Peter Cawdron is an excellent science-fiction writer. He has written a 17 book series concerning first contact with aliens. I have read the whole series and he surprised me often with his diversity of ideas about the forms that this first contact could take.
Mr. fluffy bunny, however, is a story about a young girl in all kinds of trouble and a stuffed animal. The story is about serious trouble and people who need to be rescued. I won’t spoil it for you but I was enchanted reading it.
Peter Cawdron is an excellent science-fiction writer. He has written a 17 book series concerning first contact with aliens. I have read the whole series and he surprised me often with his diversity of ideas about the forms that this first contact could take.
Mr. fluffy bunny, however, is a story about a young girl in all kinds of trouble and a stuffed animal. The story is about serious trouble and people who need to be rescued. I won’t spoil it for you but I was enchanted reading it.
April 7, 2019
Loved it!
My favorite sci-fi author has written a darling book that really warms the heart. He's right, too ... a little loving from a stuffed animal is a real as the love we receive from living creatures. They give lots more than receive in my opinion. I mean, look what happened to the Velveteen Rabbit!
My favorite sci-fi author has written a darling book that really warms the heart. He's right, too ... a little loving from a stuffed animal is a real as the love we receive from living creatures. They give lots more than receive in my opinion. I mean, look what happened to the Velveteen Rabbit!
April 30, 2020
The cute name belies the content of this excellent book.
This is a great story with endearing characters.
The rather incongruous blurb on Amazon reads - "WARNING: Contains violence, drug references and cute stuffed toys". Strange for a book classed as a story for 12-18 years olds, so I might disagree, and suggest adults will also enjoy the story.
This is a great story with endearing characters.
The rather incongruous blurb on Amazon reads - "WARNING: Contains violence, drug references and cute stuffed toys". Strange for a book classed as a story for 12-18 years olds, so I might disagree, and suggest adults will also enjoy the story.
March 3, 2023
another great read
Really good read. Cawdron has become one of my favorite authors. This story was as fun to read as a Louis Urria novel “ to the beautiful north” and others. That is a big recommend for me. Cawdron does so good catching the humanity of characters and dialogue. Often his stories have a normal person making a difference Thanks Peter Crawdron and keep them coming
Really good read. Cawdron has become one of my favorite authors. This story was as fun to read as a Louis Urria novel “ to the beautiful north” and others. That is a big recommend for me. Cawdron does so good catching the humanity of characters and dialogue. Often his stories have a normal person making a difference Thanks Peter Crawdron and keep them coming
December 1, 2019
The fluffy bunny
The fluffy bunny is a major character here, but not in a science-fiction way, like I kinda expected from this author. I hate spoilers, so I will just say that this is a unique story filled with well rounded characters and lots of action.
The fluffy bunny is a major character here, but not in a science-fiction way, like I kinda expected from this author. I hate spoilers, so I will just say that this is a unique story filled with well rounded characters and lots of action.
April 20, 2020
Not what I was expecting from a story by Peter Cawdron. Certainly not SF! However, it was a very gentle story about the benefits of “family” with an amusing mix of a drugs gang and Mister Fluffy Bunny. An enjoyable read which I enjoyed.
April 21, 2020
Excellent.... Again
Peter Cawdron makes reading fun and easy. His stories flow with ease, no filler. The plot of this book is so quaint, touching and brilliant. Love all the characters especially Mister Flurry Bunny. Excellent little story. I have enjoy all his books.
Peter Cawdron makes reading fun and easy. His stories flow with ease, no filler. The plot of this book is so quaint, touching and brilliant. Love all the characters especially Mister Flurry Bunny. Excellent little story. I have enjoy all his books.
April 24, 2020
Amazing.
What a deeply emotional story!
It's a real adventure to read and the inclusion of a stuffed toy ("don't mess with the bunny!") is perfect.
Whether you're young or young at heart this is a great read.
What a deeply emotional story!
It's a real adventure to read and the inclusion of a stuffed toy ("don't mess with the bunny!") is perfect.
Whether you're young or young at heart this is a great read.
April 10, 2022
For Real Kids, 8 to 80, A fun Ride!
Total departure for Mr. Cawdron, a frisky YA novel with a lot going for it: great characters,excellent plot and first-rate action. Some good lessons for kids, too. A real winner.
Total departure for Mr. Cawdron, a frisky YA novel with a lot going for it: great characters,excellent plot and first-rate action. Some good lessons for kids, too. A real winner.
August 19, 2023
Will make a good movie
The author calls it a silly little story, but it was an entertaining read with defined characters. Not deep, but not shallow, as an old teacher used to say. Read and enjoy.
The author calls it a silly little story, but it was an entertaining read with defined characters. Not deep, but not shallow, as an old teacher used to say. Read and enjoy.
October 21, 2019
A surprise
I would give it 4.5 stars.😁Not science fiction or a child s story but I think it's worth the reading.
I would give it 4.5 stars.😁Not science fiction or a child s story but I think it's worth the reading.
November 29, 2019
A Blast
This was a blast, as usual. Fun characters, good story, quick quick read. Keep up the good work, than you!
This was a blast, as usual. Fun characters, good story, quick quick read. Keep up the good work, than you!
May 8, 2020
Surprisingly good story. I enjoyed it.
November 4, 2020
What a great story during covid!!
I didn’t expect this to be as good as it was!!
Do not take things for granted! A wonderful story with heart beating scenes!! Loved it!!
I didn’t expect this to be as good as it was!!
Do not take things for granted! A wonderful story with heart beating scenes!! Loved it!!
November 2, 2021
Review to follow
May 23, 2023
Reminded me of Holes. You get the idea of the story pretty quickly but that did not stop me from greatly enjoying another Peter Cawdron title. I highly recommend 3zekiel
March 3, 2024
What fun...
September 2, 2024
A curve ball
Just when you think you have Peter figured out, he throws you a curve ball. I'm not posting any spoilers, you'll have read this for a very enjoyable ride.
Just when you think you have Peter figured out, he throws you a curve ball. I'm not posting any spoilers, you'll have read this for a very enjoyable ride.
January 10, 2022
Unexpected, fun, and just the right amount of fluffy
High praise from me with 4.5 stars
Children often get called a variety of playful names. Little monsters, Rug rats, and the list goes on based on how much or how little you think you like kids. Our lead character for this story, Dana, deserves a whole different set of names. She loses her parents, is dumped into a Mexican orphanage, and faces some pretty scary bullying. Many names come to mind but Priscilla feels very suitable because Dana proved herself to be Queen of the desert. This little girl will give you some big time feels.
I highly recommend this short story for those times when you are between 12 book sagas. Think of it as something to cleanse your literary palate.
High praise from me with 4.5 stars
Children often get called a variety of playful names. Little monsters, Rug rats, and the list goes on based on how much or how little you think you like kids. Our lead character for this story, Dana, deserves a whole different set of names. She loses her parents, is dumped into a Mexican orphanage, and faces some pretty scary bullying. Many names come to mind but Priscilla feels very suitable because Dana proved herself to be Queen of the desert. This little girl will give you some big time feels.
I highly recommend this short story for those times when you are between 12 book sagas. Think of it as something to cleanse your literary palate.
May 15, 2020
Holey Molely! If ever you want to read a story with a strong female protagonist, this is THE perfect tale for you. Not only that, it also invoked nearly all of my emotions. It’s darn near perfect. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews