Today's read... Bunny and Clyde by Megan McDonald

It's time for a bit of mischief! The title on today's read will probably give most of you a hint in which direction this tale will go...or sort of. I had to smile when I saw the pair running around with toilet paper. Does anyone teepee houses anymore?  (Gosh, toilet paper has gotten expensive.) Anyway, this is a chapter book for those beginning readers and promises...well, I'm not exactly sure what this one will entail. So, let's jump right in and find out.

BUNNY AND CLYDE

by Megan McDonald

Illustrated by Scott Nash

Candlewick Press

Chapter Book   /  Adventure

128 pages

ages 5 to 8

COMING...

MARCH 12th!!!

Two New York Times best-selling creators—Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, and lauded illustrator Scott Nash—team up for a droll comedy about an endearingly inept pair of outlaws.

Get ready for a wild ride with Bunny and Clyde! These by-the-rules buddies, a rabbit and a chipmunk, are sick and tired of being good. For once, they want to know what it’s like to be baddies—rotten to the core! They want thrills and excitement! But to get really good at being bad, they’re going to need some experience . What if the dastardly duo started returning library books late on purpose? Or borrowing markers without asking? Everyone knows it’s a swift downhill slide from there—as long as there’s an unprotected piggy bank in town! Unless, of course, their best attempts at mastering bad deeds are strangely misconstrued . . . Author Megan McDonald brings her quick wit and ear for dialogue, matched by Scott Nash’s deft animal characterizations, to a hilarious caper of criminal intentions gone awry.

GOODREADS     /      CANDLEWICK PRESS

MY TIDBITS

Bad has never been so bad as this duo does their best to turn their goodie-two-shoes reputation around and slide into the world of crime.

Bunny and Clyde have a reputation of being very good, but they're sick of it. It's time to ditch rules and become as bad as bad can be. The question is how. Since they don't have a clue what truly bad means, they head to the library to find out. After some research, they're ready to lead a life of lawlessness and head out to cause as much trouble as possible. But for some reason, being bad isn't nearly as easy as it seems.

I'm going to start with the illustrations and just say how much I enjoy the depiction of these two. There are slight nods toward the namesakes (love those outfits) for the older audience, but the rest of the scenes stay familiar to readers. They balance with the text to help readers along with the plot and add a wonderful touch to the story.

The tale moves along at a constant pace, offering something exciting during each, short chapter. Bunny and Clyde's escapades tiptoe into trouble, which will have readers amazed at their 'bad' ideas and wondering if the two will really go that far...because some of their ideas will definitely get them into trouble. It's a tantalizing dance along the line between good and evil (age appropriate), which will have eyes widening, frustration hitting when things don't work out, and silent sighs of relief hiding behind smiles. 

It fits the audience level nicely with a larger font, appropriate vocabulary, and still an fun tale with surprises. 

I'm hoping to get a chance to see what these two might come up with next.

And here they are...

Megan McDonald is the author of books for young readers and the creator of the Judy Moody and Stink series. Her other titles include Daisy Jane, Best-Ever Flower Girl and Shining Star. She lives in California.

Scott Nash has illustrated more than 40 children’s books, including Camping Day, Beach Day, and the Flat Stanley series. He loves to visit schools to talk about his work. He also operates a graphic design studio called Nashbox, and lives and works in Peaks Island, Maine.