The Yes Bunny: 10 Stories About Doing Things Yourself!

NO appears crossed out in the title of this early reader graphic novel, offering the first hint of the struggles—and eventual triumphs—of young rabbit protagonist Sofi in self-regulation. “I try to say yes to things, but it’s not always easy,” admits Sofi, who lives in a burrow with Mommyrabbit, Dadbunny, and adoring infant brother Luka. In 10 short chapters depicting slice-of-burrow-life vignettes, pert, carrot-orange-accented digital cartooning by Bailey (the Can I Sleep Here series) follows Sofi as she tackles everyday challenges relating to manners, chores, and being open to new experiences. In “The Yes Bunny Makes Her Bed,” Sofi claims that it’s “so hard” to keep the bedclothes straight without getting tangled up in them. But she acknowledges that a “rumply-crumply” bed isn’t “snuggle-bunny” approved, so she devises a game in which shaking out the comforter turns it into an airplane that launches her favorite stuffies into the air and provides Luka with a game of peek-a-boo. While mild oppositional behavior is as developmentally normal as a bunny’s nose twitch, debut author Parker shows how these challenging moments can nurture both individual growth and family harmony. Ages 4–6. (Mar.)