AFL football star Alex Rance is back with another
book, following the success in 2018 of his first children’s title, Tiger’s Roar. The messages here are of kindness,
empowerment and always doing the best you can.
Yellow and black covers (Richmond colours of
course!) open to exquisite images by award-winning illustrator Shane McG of the
characters in the book on a double spread.
Work
hard, be kind and enjoy yourself is the message Rance sends to his readers
before he starts the story.
The main character Jack Rabbit lives on Rabbit
Island. He has won prizes for best hopper, best chomper and second-best
zig-zagger. All the little rabbits aspired to be like Jack. But Jack wanted more from life.
A note comes in a bottle from Jack’s cousin Roo
offering him the opportunity to challenge himself and travel to Big Island.
Jack feels afraid. He is safe in his familiar surroundings doing what he does
best. Zigga Rabbit reminds him of his words to the little rabbits.
The waves are the biggest he has ever had to jump
over. Work hard! He closed his eyes
and concentrated. Over he went!
As he began to swim toward Big Island, he found a
stranded whale caught in a net. Be kind! he
remembered, and imagined the ropes as carrots. He chomped hard and fast.
When the whale was free, he offered to swim Jack
across the waters in return for his life-saving kindness. But when Big Island
came into view, Jack was afraid. Work
hard, be kind and enjoy yourself he shouted the words as he leapt through
the air to land. They were overheard by Tiger, who was there when Jack landed,
and who liked the idea. Could this be the start of something wonderful and new for
Jack?
The characters leap across the pages in joy and
abandon. They carry positive messages that will reverberate in children’s
minds. The short sharp words will easily be picked up and repeated. This is the
kind of book that kids need to learn courage and persistence from.
Title: Rabbit’s Hop
Author:
Alex Rance
Illustrator:
Shane McG
Publisher:
Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication
Date: 17 June 2019
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781760524449
For
ages: 5 - 8
Type:
Picture Book
