Bunnicula

Title: Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery
Author: Deborah and James Howe
Illustrated: Alan Daniel
Published: Scholastic Inc. Broadway, New York
Date:1979
Summary: Before it's too late, Harold the dog and Chester the cat must find out the truth about the newest pet in the Monroe household-a suspicious-looking bunny with unusual habits...and fangs!
Age Level: Elementary and Upper (8-12)
Strengths: I love the way Harold the dog tells this story from his point of view. He includes everything that is going on, and makes it funny by adding comments and sarcasim to the story. For example, while he tells what is happening, he side comments about his favorite things, like eating chocolate cakes in one of the children's room and he loves steak (he got a little side tracked and eventually continued with the original story) It is somewhat like a Sherlock Holmes mystery story, because Harold acts like Watson and Chester the Cat acts like Sherlock Holmes, except Chester gets a little carried away with his accusations against Bunnicula (the new bunny living in the house) and tries to stop him. The reader can see the different personalities within Harold and Chester. Chester is smart (he reads lots of books), but he jumps to conclusions very fast, while Harold has an average intelligence, and he is kind and gentle (but he is a little conceited with himself. I also love the bunny Bunnicula because he is supposed to represent a vampire bunny. The authors gives clues about what he really is. The Monroe family found him in the movie theater while they were watching Dracula, Bunnicula's fur is black and white and the black part looks like a cape, and some of the fruits and vegetables have mysteriously turned white and dry.
Concerns: While there were no cursing in this book, there are some names Chester and Harold call each other, such as smarty pants, idiot, etc. It gives them both a stereotypical label and readers might assume that dogs are average, and cats are smart. Not only animals, but reader might learn and use these labels in a negative manner. For example, if someone in the classroom is having trouble with reading, someone might tease him and call him "dumb like Harold."
Comments: This book is wonderful for solving this rabbit tale mystery with the entire class. It provides clues, and a funny cat and dog that make the mystery, the horror and the comedy tons of fun. Students can also identify the difference between Chester, Harold, and Bunnicula. I think it could be a great story near Halloween.