posted on 08 Mar 2024

Oops! Rabbit by Jo Ham

I have already enthused about the two previous books  in this delightful series aimed at very young children. This time the author and illustrator uses the same distinctive, uncluttered design with bright pink to contrast with the black and white palette. I looked forward to seeing how Rabbit might continue his adventures and anticipated plenty of spills and thrills along the way.

The cover gives a strong clue as Rabbit is shown perching precariously on a stall facing a delicious looking cake that is just out of reach. All images are again in silhouette, but I would imagine that even a young child would recognise the stylised shapes. This first of four short but action packed episodes begins with him standing on a chair to paint a pink picture with the text ‘Rabbit on’.

Meanwhile his more sensible friend is using a pink crayon as he stands on the floor. This theme continues with Rabbit continuing to paint but he inevitably loses his balance - ‘Rabbit off’ - and makes a terrible mess whilst his friend continues to draw an impressively detailed picture.

Next we see him placing a flag on a sandcastle and everything seems calm. But not for long because, on the turn of the page we can see the angry waves of the sea set against a vivid pink background: ‘Oops!’

There is so much scope for prediction here before turning the page for the final picture and I am impressed at how Rabbit’s changed body language conveys how he must be feeling, even in silhouette.

Two more equally exciting episodes follow with plenty more detail to linger over. The limited palette is an excellent illustrative decision because this will concentrate the mind of a young reader. The minimal and repetitive written text allows the adult reader to both invite comments and suggest some interesting story structure in an unhurried way.

I look forward to sharing this engaging picture book with Nursery aged children but I think it will also be popular with their parents and teachers, and may inspire some bold artwork in response.

Available now from Walker Books, you will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop - who will be happy to order it for you if they don’t have a copy on their shelves.

 

Karen Argent

March 2024