This wasn’t part of the plan.
As of 8 am, Wednesday morning, May 27, 2020, I was sure I knew what my second children’s book was going to be. I had been working on it. I loved it. But then a New England cottontail rabbit showed up with a different idea and didn’t leave until I understood it. It took a while, but both Laura and my brother Peter (illustrator and book designer, respectively) agreed with the rabbit. So I changed my mind about book #2.
I’m so glad I did. .
THE DETAILS
Hardcover children’s book with dust jacket
52 pages | page size 10.75 inches (width) by 9 inches (height)
ISBN 9781733951630 | Published by Home Ice Productions, Portland ME | Printed in the United States of America
$18.95 retail | available at the online gift shop of Malibu Maine and at a growing list of stores around Maine
The book features end pages with fun information about every animal the rabbit (and readers) meet in the story and has a special section with photos of actual New England cottontails in the back. I worked with biologists from the State of Maine to make sure I had included some of the coolest facts about each character/wildlife member
For information on selling Hop Onward Rabbit Rabbit at your store, please reach out to matthew@malibumaine.com or call 207-400-0231
For library, school or other tax-exempt organization inquiries, please contact tonya@malibumaine.com or 207-400-0231
For more information about Hop Onward Rabbit Rabbit, please visit my sister site, the imaginary town of Malibu Maine
New England cottontail rabbits are State Endangered in Maine
Found only in a handful of communities in Cumberland and York Counties, I am lucky to live in an area that they still inhabit. That said, it’s very unusual to see one. They live in thick shrublands and young forest, rarely coming out more than 10-15 feet from cover, even when foraging for food. This is in stark contrast to Eastern cottontails, a species common across much of the United States and Canada, and readily seen hopping around and munching in yards and gardens.
Stuffed cottontails and note cards
The website store at Malibu Maine has the book, book bundles, cottontail stuffies, note cards and more! Please visit store.malibumaine.com if you’d like to shop!