I feel like I can shout: It’s finally here!
Although it’s sometimes been rather cloudy, often grey and sometimes very windy, I can still feel it in the air: Spring!
I relished in the warm wind yesterday that whisked my hair into an unruly mess. I savoured the joy of being in my spring jacket and even feeling a little warm. I practically got giddy when I saw some of my more adventurous (or hardier) fellow commuters sporting shoes without socks!
Waiting (especially through winter) is never fun and when whatever you are counting the hours, days or in the case of seasons, months, for becomes that much more important when it finally does arrive.
Sometimes waiting can make one (ahem me) go squirrelly or even a tad paranoid and dare I say, desperate.
I’ve been feeling this way not only as I was eagerly anticipating the passing of winter but also to get my well-used library card on You’re Finally Here by Mélanie Watt (ISBN: 9781554535903, Kids Can Press, 2011).
Copyright@2011 Mélanie Watt
So when I happened upon the new spring titles at my local branch, I got a little crazy.
I imagine I looked like a wide-eyed, cackling, overly-eager crazy person, greedily shoving all those new books (nothing beats freshly laid-out board books) into my carrier bag, much like the bunny who pops right out of this bright orange cover.
In this tale, an almost rabid with anticipation rabbit pounces on you the minute you open this book. It’s a thrill to be so wanted, so longed for, even if you have to listen/read how tough it’s been for this dear rabbit while he (she) has been pining for me (you) the dear reader.
Spread from "You're Finally Here" Copyright@2011 Mélanie Watt
It’s kind of like the bunny from Fatal Attraction has come alive in children’s lit form. You are both beguiled and a little scared, but unlike the movie, it’s all in good fun!
It’s no secret that Mélanie Watt is a mater of the ingenious, inventive and insanely fun picture book (who doesn’t love the Scaredy Squirrel or Chester series right?) No one does neuroses for kids like she does meanwhile delighting us older readers with the on-point of-the-moment references and satirical slants.
The best part of this whole post is to announce that thanks to one of my lovely friends, we know OWN our very own copy of this hilarious hare tale! I can’t thank her enough (thank you, thank you, thank you Kali!) especially as now my 22 month-old daughter brings this book to me daily and says “Momma read rabbit book!” while ceremoniously plopping herself in my ever-disappearing lap.
Maybe Emmerson loves the large expressive eyes of this bug-eyed bunny, the most prominent and expressive eyebrows I’ve seen on a creature since Andy Rooney or perhaps his manic motions of this loony lapin. I really couldn’t pinpoint one thing.
Or maybe my darling daughter is just used to Momma’s neurotic impulses and can find the ironic delight in having me read this to her (children are very perceptive you know!)
Whatever you do, beg, borrow or pray your friends are as generous as mine are and get yourself this book.
It will always be happy to see you!
SM
Oooo…! Very exciting! I can’t wait to pick up a copy of this “rabbit book”!!n
The illustrations are pretty exciting. The bunny reminds me a bit of those Hoops and Yoyo characters.
Very exciting indeed! The bunny has those manic eyes of Hoops or is it Yoyo ?nNatasha…maybe you’ll get one for a new baby gift…hmmm…..