Tickle My Ears

August 22, 2016
Mühle brings a metafictional approach to familiar bedtime routines as he invites readers to help Little Rabbit get ready to turn in. After tapping Little Rabbit on the shoulder so he’ll turn around, children are asked to clap their hands so he will put on his pajamas, and they later have a chance to fluff Little Rabbit’s pillow, tuck him in, give him a goodnight kiss, and even turn out the light. Soft, crayonlike outlines and some lovely touches (Little Rabbit’s rosy cheeks have the texture of thumbprints) help establish a quiet mood that could help pave the way for smooth bedtimes on readers’ parts, too. Ages 1–2.

January 1, 2017
It's late, and Little Rabbit must go to bed, so toddlers are invited to help him settle down in this bedtime storybook.This sweet board book, originally published in German, invites toddlers to participate in Little Rabbit's bedtime ritual and then rewards them for their helpfulness. As the book starts, readers see Little Rabbit from behind and are encouraged to tap him on the shoulder; will he turn around? A turn of the page will show their tapping worked! Now readers will see Little Rabbit's pajamas laid out and ready to be put on. How can little ones help? By clapping of course! Sure enough, as the page turns, readers will see Little Rabbit now has his pajamas on. And so it goes as little ones fluff a pillow, say "Hoppity-hop," tickle Little Rabbit's ears and then gently stroke his back, tuck Little Rabbit in, give him a kiss, and, finally, turn the light out. Interactivity--here powered entirely by the page turn--can indeed be magical for little ones! Muhle's simply outlined illustrations on clean, pastel-colored backgrounds have a gentle quality perfectly suited to the bedtime theme. Grown-ups should not be surprised if their own little ones start asking for a tickle behind the ear and a back rub as part of their own bedtime rituals. (Board book. 6 mos.-3)

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