Maybelle, Bunny of the North

Overview

A whimsical study of the seasons, this tale follows the high-spirited bunny Maybelle as she experiences the soothing aspects of nature and outdoor play and later eases into sleep, dreaming of her adventures at the end of the day. Whether she's scampering in the fireweed, sloshing through the melting snow and ice, searching for special rocks at the beach, or visiting the Two Sisters Bakery, she always has time to say "hi" to her neighbors.

Reviews

"The illustrations are what grabbed me in this picture book. Author/illustrator Keith Patterson has used watercolour and ink in a naive style to produce totally charming vignettes of Maybelle's life. The visual text adds much to the story, so that kids will notice similarities and differences between their own lives and Maybelle's." —The Book Chook, Australia

"Having been an early childhood/elementary teacher for 12 years, I am always looking for new children's books to teach old concepts . . . Maybelle is a great book to help teach children about the seasons. Set in Alaska, this story takes Maybelle through all four seasons, which we don't see in all areas of the United States. I love that I can do that with this book; let children experience the seasons vicariously through Maybelle's eyes." —Write for a Reader

"This is most definitely an easy reader . . . big print, simple sentences, with full-page illustrations. Without reading it, I can't quite put my finger on why I'm drawn to keep picking it up." —The Reading Tub

"This is a wonderful book to share with young readers to teach them about Alaska, the changing seasons, and the wonderful aspects the outdoors has to offer. The watercolor illustrations bring Maybelle to life as she takes a hot bath in the sink, chases the geese in the fall, and walks through the fireweed." —Examiner.com

"Patterson has created a story with a nice pacing. It is firmly grounded in Homer, Alaska, and it is a pleasure to read a picture book for very young children with such a strong sense of place." —MenashaLibrary.org

Author Biography

Keith Patterson is an artist who has exhibited paintings at the Atlantic Gallery in Washington, DC. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.