Bunns Rabbit
For fans of Watership Down
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-4063-9382-8 (ISBN)
Description
In a deeply moving illustrated fiction parable, an Academy Award-winning director and writer uniquely blends text, art and panels into a modern classic for fans of Watership Down.
When Bunns is born with small but perfectly functional rabbit ears, the warren is abuzz with auguries. Surely such short ears spell bad luck for the community. Sheltered in her family's burrow, Bunns listens to the rhythm of her mother's heartbeat - Thump, thump, thump - a song of home and belonging. Her father explains that unlike a rabbit's words or thumping feet, a heartsong cannot lie. But the unknown world of the meadow, the sounds and smells above, call to Bunns. When at last she's ready to brave the staring and whispering of neighbours who fear her because she's different, and the disapproving elders who threaten to banish her family, she finds a world beyond the warren where myths and riddles, magic voyages and important new friends await. Can the "bad omen bunny" follow her own heartsong to a destiny - a wish - meant just for her?
Academy Award-winning director, writer and animator Alan Barillaro's graceful storytelling, warm illustrations and dramatic graphic panels weave light and dark into a seamless tapestry to enchant children and adults alike.
When Bunns is born with small but perfectly functional rabbit ears, the warren is abuzz with auguries. Surely such short ears spell bad luck for the community. Sheltered in her family's burrow, Bunns listens to the rhythm of her mother's heartbeat - Thump, thump, thump - a song of home and belonging. Her father explains that unlike a rabbit's words or thumping feet, a heartsong cannot lie. But the unknown world of the meadow, the sounds and smells above, call to Bunns. When at last she's ready to brave the staring and whispering of neighbours who fear her because she's different, and the disapproving elders who threaten to banish her family, she finds a world beyond the warren where myths and riddles, magic voyages and important new friends await. Can the "bad omen bunny" follow her own heartsong to a destiny - a wish - meant just for her?
Academy Award-winning director, writer and animator Alan Barillaro's graceful storytelling, warm illustrations and dramatic graphic panels weave light and dark into a seamless tapestry to enchant children and adults alike.
Reviews / Votes
Bunns is born with short ears that grant her the ability to hear other creatures' heartsongs (including the monarch butterflies and their riddles) and to speak with Spirit Fox. Her unique ears are a bad omen to the other rabbits, who push Bunns and her family out of the meadow. Bunns sets off to find Spirit Fox, hoping he will give her long ears. Her journey is perilous, but along the way, she saves Hummingbird who introduces her to Loon. Aided by her new friends, Bunns locates the fox, but a foolish mistake raises his ire. Now Bunns must find Spirit Fox's missing monarchs before he destroys the land and consumes her. Fueled by fear and determination, Bunns runs and digs to restore what she and Spirit Fox lost. The narration is accompanied by abundant realistic color illustrations in earthy tones. Spirit animal myths are depicted in graphic panels, along with parts of the narrative. Bunns's journey of self-acceptance follows traditional hero's journey themes. Her adventures, mistakes, and attempts at redemption are relatable. The solid prose can vary greatly between twee and quite dark. The art's softness and picture-book style will hold most appeal for younger readers, though they may be scared of the darker elements of the plot. The conclusion is ominous and implies a sequel. A compelling tale, this has appeal for younger readers due to the art, but the dark themes are meant for older ones. A solid general purchase." -- Tamara Saarinen * School Library Journal *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
926 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4063-9382-8 (9781406393828)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Alan Barillaro is the author of the acclaimed debut Where the Water Takes Us. The Academy Award-winning writer and director of the animated short film Piper, he has been supervising animator on numerous other popular theatrical releases, including The Incredibles, Incredibles 2, WALL-E and Brave. He began his career in animation at the age of sixteen and spent more than twenty-five years at Pixar Animation Studios. Alan Barillaro lives in the Bay Area of San Fransisco, USA.