Squish Rabbit's Pet

Squish Rabbit's Pet by Katherine Battersby (UQP)  PB RRP $21.95 ISBN 9780702260469

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

Squish rabbit is little, but he has lots and lots of big dreams. Many of his dreams include sharing fun with his friend Twitch.  But most of all Squish dreams about a pet puppy. Twitch comes to the rescue with a beautifully stitched cloth puppy but, pretend pets are just not the same. Finding a lonely egg Squish cares for the egg day and night waiting and playing patiently. Expecting a puppy Squish is surprised when Twitch explains there will be no puppy. After some thought Squish decides he will love his new pet whatever it is. 

This is another lovely, funny and thoughtful story in the Squish rabbit series. Katherine Battersby has combined a great theme so relevant to many children with messages of friendship, caring and acceptance. The illustrations once again in the series are simple but full of movement and feeling. A lovely picture book for preschoolers at home or for a group setting.

Brave Squish Rabbit

 Brave Squish Rabbit written and illustrated by Katherine Battersby (University of Queensland Press)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-0-7022-4943-3

Reviewed by Jo Antareau

A follow up to Squish Rabbit, this beautiful picture book is immediately appealing.  Its padded cover engages the tactile sense, and children will also enjoy exploring the glow-in-the-dark feature. All this before the book has even been opened!

The story tells the adventure of Squish Rabbit, a small creature, who is able to put his biggest fears aside to search for his missing friend. His fears are those shared by many children – the dark, storms, and animals (in his case, chickens).

Although Battersby, a paediatric Occupational Therapist, stated that she used the approach outlined when helping children with fears, the dialectical component of the piece is never allowed to overshadow the storyline. Told simply and economically, the story flows at its own pace.

Some passages are narrated entirely in pictures, and children can follow Squish Rabbit’s progress as he approaches a scary silhouette, loses his nerve and runs for cover, but has to return to retrieve his own dropped toy, and inadvertently comes close enough to face one of his biggest fears.

Although the story is about feeling frightened, the illustrations are not scary. Beautiful, with bold colours and layers of textures, the pictures are simple and reassuring to a young reader.  Brave Squish Rabbit is a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf. 

Squish Rabbit

Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby (UQP)
HB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9780702239250
Reviewed by Jo Burnell

This adorable children’s tale is not just a picture book with cute characters. Squish Rabbit’s simple wisdom will withstand the test of time.

Being little has its difficulties, but being alone is even harder. We journey with Squish as he learns how to make friends.

What do you do when you are too small to join in adult conversations? How do you get by when you are too short to catch a flying balloon? Made up friends don’t do a lot and trees can’t play by the rules. When things get out of control, how do you make it all STOP?

Squish is irresistible. Simple graphics keep the story rolling for little ones, while adults will enjoy the unspoken humour cleverly depicted body language. These same qualities are the perfect starting point for teaching nonverbal cues to preschoolers: a perfect pre-kinder introduction to making friends.