A Home for Mr. Easter

by Brooke A. Allen

You will love this crazy energetic book by a refreshing new talent! Tesana has never really fit into anything before but her daydreams. But when making an attempt to connect to her peers by joining in a pep rally planning committee she suddenly discovers a little white rabbit that lays brightly colored eggs. Realizing that she may have found the real life Easter bunny, Tesana embarks on an epic quest in an effort to get him back to his natural habitat and into safe hands. However as she progresses on her fanciful journey she gains more and more undesired attention until the quest becomes an increasingly madcap race to stay ahead of greedy pursuers and find a safe place for her new friend…wherever that place may be. It’s Tesana against the world!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Female Authors, Animals

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Another name Brooklyn Allen has published under.

See Brooklyn Allen and Gus Allen.

Reviews

[Phobean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A zany, impressive piece of work of the "unicorns farting rainbows" variety. I particularly enjoyed the very dry conversations Tesana (protagonist) enjoyed with Mr. Easter (the rabbit) about his unique ability to lay colorful eggs. I was also pleased to find a story featuring a African-American main character that did not also include a.) slavery b.) the civil rights movement c.)unplanned pregnancy. Tesana and her mother are larger-than-life in appearance but quite true-to-life in attitude and actions. Although the book is full of magic (common, ordinary magic), it's never stated that Tesana and her mom are magic, too. That's for the reader to figure out. In a word: refreshing.

I look forward to more from the author/illustrator.

Also, when I checked "A Home for Mr. Easter" out from the YA department of the CPL, it came with a note from the YA librarian (written on a pink post-it) that said: "Weird and Great!" Beneath, a sketch of a rabbit and the word "bunnies!" True that.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesana prefers her rich fantasy life, filled with talking unicorns who fart rainbows to real life, and who could blame her? Reality is a gloomy, urban existence filled with kids who make fun of her, and teachers who don't understand her. When she comes upon a rabbit who can shoot beautifully painted eggs out his...um, heinie, she is convinced he is none other than the Easter Bunny, and sets out to return him to his home. Soon she is being pursued by a crazed pet shop owner, animal rights activists, a sinister magician, and her concerned mom.

It's a shame this sweet and silly book was not in color. A storyline this whimsical simply cries out for bright, happy colors.

[Michael Papineau-Couture · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesana has never really fit into anything before but her daydreams. While trying to fit in with her school mates during the planning of a pep rally, she discovers one of the rabbits being used for a quirky bachelor auction can lay brightly colored eggs. Realizing this might be THE Easter bunny, Tesana takes off on a heroic quest in an effort to return the Easter bunny his natural habitat. On her way, however, she encounters a variety of individuals, intent on taking the Easter bunny away from her for their own individual needs. A wacky race ensues with everyone hot on Tesana’s trail. Will she make it? More importantly, what will she discover?

I couldn't put this book down. I had to find out if Tesana would make it and what would happen along the way. The idea of an individual who is constantly avoided and doesn’t fit in with everyone now chasing them was intriguing. I found the black and white graphics helped put more focus on the story. This is not to say the graphics were secondary; there are some fantastic panels in this book that speak volumes.

[Fr. Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally delighted my own sense of silliness and also a fantasy land wherein creatures are appreciated, loved, and help each other. Madcap, idealistic, and totally indie at the same time. Appealed to my inner kid and this worn-out middle-aged idealist, both of whom are overly sensitive and emotionally battle-scarred. Many thanks to Brooke Allen for creating such a wonderful experience.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel; children/teen/adult. Didn't think I would like a story about a friendless girl who finds and adopts an easter bunny, but what do you know. This book has heart.

[Tristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but there were so many things that were just off about this story. The art is really wonderful, though.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't buy it, but for a freebie, I certainly enjoyed it. A high school girl discovers a magic bunny and proceeds on a madcap chase to protect it from a pointy-moustached evil magician, a mean pet shop owner, animal rights protesters and scientists. There's half-ass parable in there about a powerless dorky high school girl, picked on at school, getting to be the hero. But mostly it's just a silly madcap chase. Decent fun.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are loads of books set during Christmastime or otherwise having to do with Christmas. The other holidays have far fewer books. I wanted to read something set at Eastertime and this one came up in my library catalog. Well it isn't really set during Eastertime but it does feature an egg laying rabbit. However the story seemed a little thin to me and the graphic style was a little rough for my taste. Overall it wasn't a bad book in my opinion but just not really for me.

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute graphic novel. It’s not my preferred art style and it take me a little bit to get into the story. After the initial plot takes off I started smiling and really enjoying the book. It’s a perfect quick read for anyone who wants a bunny adventure.

[Penny Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, charming, interesting. A lovely read

I give two ratings to each book I read. A score out of 5 for the quality of the writing and a score out of 5 for how much I enjoyed reading it. (3 for comic books/graphic novels)
Writing 3/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Art 4/5
I recommend you read it!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy I really loved this story but the art was horrible

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well ... I can't say I liked it at all. I just hated the artwork. The story is okay, but not enough to make up for the hideous style.

[Nivedita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weirdly and peculiarly enjoyable. Also is very funny and lovable.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was... strange...
How the hell people think they can damage someone's property and get away with that tho?

[Mercurymouth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rooting for the Easter bunny!!

[Dottie Bagwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesana is the plus-sized princess we all need to save the world. Gofundme to get her a unicorn!  

[Tamara✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I spontaneously picked this up while looking for other books in the library and decided to read it then and there as it was short enough. I had no idea what it was about other than a very tall and very strong teenager who believes a rabbit is a magic easter bunny??? It was a cute and amusing enough graphic novel, with really nice art to boot. Not much to say about it other than it was a super quick and fun read, and I'm glad I could read it in the library instead of having bought it... Sorry.... 👀

https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress....

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!! So fun and magical

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the only reason I read this is because some graphic novels were being weeded from the library and I tend to automatically claim the ones with covers I like. So it's been sitting on my shelf for ages and ages and I finally got around to reading it.
And I read it in (almost) one sitting on the subway ride to work and I'm sure my fellow commuters were either confused or amused that I kept grinning whenever I turned a page. This book is just DELIGHTFUL.
First, Tesana is just the most wonderful character ever. She's a black, overweight teen who loves unicorns and using her imagination to escape her sadly friendless life, and also is in super good shape and has a strong sense of morality and I just love her to death. She finds a talking rabbit that lays easter eggs which grant wishes and she does everything she can to get the rabbit back to its home, beating up the bad guys on the way.
Second, the art is gorgeous.
I just really like this book. It's adorable and whimsical and hilarious and I like it a lot. And I guess I get why some people don't like it but I don't care because I'm going to keep this book forever and read it over and over.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appeal Characteristics: stylistic art, unicorns, daydreaming, bullying, anger issues, easter bunny, friendship, mother-daughter relationship


I really liked this graphic novel. It was sweet, funny, endearing, and most of all just plain fun. Tesana is like Babymouse...she has all these amazing daydreams because life just never pans out. She tries really hard to fit in and find a "best" friend...until she discovers a little white rabbit that lays eggs. Out starts a journey dodging animal rights activists, crazed magician, terrible shop-keeper, and even her mother...to try and find Mr. Easter a home. This was such a delight especially since the "type" of protagonist is not mainstream. I look forward to finding other works by Brooke A. Allen. She definitely got my attention with this one! PLUS, she has a hamster named Batman (Brooke A. Allen...if that doesn't tell you about her quirkyness...this book will!)

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is somewhat ridiculous. An awkward teenage girl finds a bunny that lays colored eggs, becomes convinced that it is the Easter bunny, and becomes determined to return it to its family. OK. It's completely ridiculous.

But the art and characters in this graphic novel truly elevate it and make it fantastic. Brooke Allen is, according to the jacket, a student at SCAD, and it's crazy that someone in college is this talented. She has a lot of really innovative panels and puts just the right amount of inventive detail into each scene. It's the kind of book that once you finish you want to go back, start from the beginning, and just look at each picture again slowly.

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this feels pretty episodic, so that I was comfortable reading only a few pages at a time. An outsider teenage girl acquires a rabbit that lays easter eggs. This is a lucrative feat, so she is chased by greedy people-groups of many types. It's wacky, there are some fantasy sequences, all the characters are heightened stereotypes.

This is one GN that I think would benefit from being in color. Allen's illustration style is so caricaturish that sometimes things aren't proportioned the way you expect it to be, so the addition of color would help distinguish the various characters and scenery. Allen has a very unique voice, and I want to read more by her.

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I was all, this book looks like Precious meets something stupid meets something else maybe not so stupid (cuz there's an obese black girl at the center of it).. and the Easter Bunny? Recipe for disaster!
But no, the art was surprisingly good (SCAD student!) and expressive, and even made up for the not quite together plot. The Easter Bunny was a really cool little dude, to boot. Hip and actually sweet at the same time. Word.

[quinnster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit of time to get into this one. The drawings are something to get used to and I wasn't sure I wanted to read past page 4, but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. It's a cute story about pure hearts and dreams despite everything around you falling apart. It's about protecting those around you who need protecting, even if they are big enough to take care of themselves. Cute, funny and heartwarming with a little bit of morality thrown in.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky story about a girl who finds a rabbit who lays decorated eggs. Some parts just didn't work (the protesters were chasing her... why?) and the art was sometimes too busy. The central story of a girl needing a way to fit in and finding someone else to save is good. Would appeal to younger grades.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a short graphic novel about a girl whose rabbit lays Easter eggs, so she resolves to return him to his home despite the obstacles. This book would be a choice for kids aged 6-10.
I also really liked the protagonist, Tesana, because of her strangeness.
I was moderately confused by the art style at times and some events weren't explained, but I still enjoyed the book.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read. Great art, and a great story that winds back into itself. Speaks to the outsider in all of us, and the hope that dreams can come true and wishes be granted. Highly enjoyable, and would love to see more by this author.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesana has a bad habit of getting into fights at school - which she never loses since she seems to have the strength of ten. But when she rescues a rabbit that has magical powers, the story really takes off. The writing is pretty good here, and the art lives up to it.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what audience this was meant for but all the characters seemed to be written with the intelligence of five-year-old kids which made it really hard to get through for me. Also I was not a fan of the art style.

[Candice M (tinylibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this but am waiting for teen feedback.