The Hare and the Carrots

You may have noticed that here at Pioneer Valley Books, we really love animals. We have even been known to bring our pets to work with us! One time Lauri brought her cat, and another time Molly’s dog Rodney came to work and stole my lunch! Here in Colleen’s Cozy Book Corner, we have also reveled in all kinds of literary animals, and we’re back at it again. Today’s book is The Hare and the Carrots, written by Michèle Dufresne. Let’s just say that Rodney isn’t the only animal out there who likes to steal food! 

I love a story with an innocent yet devilish character, especially a cute one. In this story, that character is the hare, Harry. I also love a story with a little tension or angst. We find these qualities brewing in the story’s human, Mr. Dan. All Mr. Dan wants to do is grow carrots. And all Harry the hare wants to do is eat them. Maybe you have had this happen in your own garden. Just when Mr. Dan’s carrots begin to thrive and grow, Harry hops into the garden and gobbles them all up. Harry is just as industrious at eating carrots as Mr. Dan is at growing them! How will these two opposing forces reconcile? Your students will have a ton of fun reading this book and seeing where the plot takes them. Maybe they can predict the outcome! Who ultimately gets the carrots?!

This book is one of our amazing Phonics Storybooks and is found in Lifting Off Set 1. It has been playfully illustrated by Robin Roraback in such a way that makes me think Robin knows a thing or two about carrots, hares, and gardens. This storybook set, like all the Phonics Storybooks sets, has optional lesson cards available.