Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jeff Verney to bring you this post.

April brings thoughts of a certain bunny visiting, but today I am going to share a book about a different type of bunnies. They are the bunnies on Nantucket. I've only been to Nantucket a couple of times and once was for a job interview, but I know Cape Cod is full of bunnies. In fact, when I was young the estate next to my grandparents' street was called Bunny Haven. I always wanted to live there. Sadly, it was sold and turned into a street full of multiple houses. However, the bunnies still fill the yards of all the houses. In the summer the bunnies are everywhere. Needless to say, today's book hit an extra special chord with my heart. The book is Bunnies to the Rescue! by Jeff Verney and illustrated by Melissa Bailey. At the end of this post there is a giveaway and a bunny craft roundup!

About the Book:

Bunnies to the Rescue! Written by Jeff Verney and Illustrated by Melissa Bailey

Ages: 4-6 | 36 Pages | Publisher: PHT Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-218-52892-8

Publisher’s Book Summary: The Nantucket Bunnies think that a toy bunny has been captured by a boy and his family. It seems that the bunny is in constant danger as the family travels across Nantucket. But a surprise awaits the Nantucket bunnies when one of them finally gets to talk to the bunny!

Purchase Link:
Author’s Website

Official Book Link:

bunniestotherescue.com

About the Author:

Jeff Verney, the Troubadour of Happiness, lives in an enchanted house in Connecticut where he creates stories and songs that bring happiness, hope, joy, and positivity to the world. Gratitude Abounds!

For more information, visit jeffverney.com.

About the Illustrator

Melissa Bailey, an award-winning illustrator of 60 books, lives on a dirt road in rural Michigan. There, she takes daily walks, dreams of ways to make the impossible possible, and always looks for silver linings.

For more information, visit mbaileyart.com.

From Me:

Besides all the nostalgia of my trips to Cape Cod, this book is so fun and full of love and care. I love how the Nantucket Bunnies want to save the new bunny on the island. Of course they do not realize it is a stuffed animal. Nantucket is not a huge island, but it is big enough for the need of cars, yet these bunnies seem to be able to get all over the island pretty quickly. When one of them finally gets the new bunny alone they discover that he is very happy with his friend and his friend takes very good care of him, so they do not need to worry about him.

This book teaches some wonderful things about friendship and being good to others. The Nantucket Bunnies want to help the new bunny. They are worried when they hear reports of him in places they consider dangerous for any bunny. Yet when Briella gets to talk to Barley, she hears about how the boy, Sam, takes good care of Barley. He takes him everywhere he goes and is careful with him. I love that Barley can talk but a bit muffled from having his mouth sewn on (or perhaps sewn shut). The bunnies learn that there is more than just watching out for one another in friendship. They actually get to see the love Sam has for Barley and Barley shares how he feels safe and loves being with Sam. To me that is truly what friendship is all about. We should feel loved and safe when we are with our friends, and it is an important message for kids to hear.

The other aspect of this book is that it takes place in Nantucket. Sam's family have ice cream, visit a museum, picnic on the beach and take pictures at the lighthouse. These are family vacation activities and in particular summer activities. After all Nantucket and Cape Cod are known to have their peek tourism season in the summer. This book is a perfect way to get kids ready for the family trip to the beach and get us all in the mood for the relaxed time that family trips can bring. For me it was nostalgic of my own trips to Cape Cod from when I was a child and even now.

This book is a fun read, and kids will love how the Nantucket Bunnies mistake Barley for a live bunny. They will love the adventures the bunnies have trying to find him and always just missing him. The adults will love the pure childhood innocence of the story. Sam feeds Barley ice cream and takes him everywhere. I know Hazel did these things with her lovey growing up. It is part of the childhood sweetness we all love to see. It is a great read just for a book to read and it can lend to discussions about friendship and what it means. However it is also just a fun read that will become a story time favorite at home or at the library or in class.

Bunny Craft Roundup:

The obvious activity to go with this book is a bunny craft. Here are some from around the internet that my fellow bloggers gave me to share with you. Plus, the collection from my house. Our family has a huge thing for bunnies so there are quite a few we have done. It all started with my sister nicknaming Hazel Bunny.