The CROSS EYED RABBIT

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 3 Two rabbits are the object of a hungry fox' attention; while they are being pursued, their cross-eyed brother lies sleeping peacefully in their burrow, reciting poetry (``Carrot,/ Orange-red,/ while my brothers/ who have itchy feet/ run through the woods/ with my teeth/ I will crunch you'') about his dream images. The fox blocks the rabbits' escape into their burrow with his bushy orange tail. Upon awakening, the cross-eyed rabbit mistakes the fox' tail for his dream carrot, bites it hard, and chases him away. His accidental saving of the rabbits' lives stops their unkind teasing (``Your vision is still peculiar, but we do admire your bite''), and they are able to live together peacefully, valuing the cross-eyed rabbit's ability to see differently from them. While it is admirable to find a visually-impaired character as the hero, the message of accepting differences in others is overly blatant. Childlike, full-color illustrations in crayon and watercolor provide needed touches of humor and suspense in this message-laden book. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. Language Notes Text: English (translation) Original Language: French