Imelda, a strong-willed young girl, lives with her parents, who adore her and leave her to do everything almost without limits. Her constant companion is Bunny Wunny, a favourite but mistreated stuffed rabbit who eventually retreats to the house’s safety to escape her rough handling. Imelda’s frustration escalates until she insists on getting a “real” rabbit. What follows is a gentle but effective lesson in understanding how action affects others, even the quiet ones who can’t speak for themselves.
Clark’s storytelling is enriched by her distinctive contrasting illustrations of the characters. Imalda’s angry expressions and assertive gestures – clenched fists and pointed fingers stand in stark contrast to her parents’ warm, cheerful faces and gentle manners, often referring to her as “Angel Pie” or “Our dearest darling”. The narrative is supported by clever use of speech bubbles with varied font design, adding playful and dynamic elements to the pages. These visual cues made the book useful for modelling direct speech and expressive reading in classrooms.
What sets this story apart is its ability to speak to children and adults. Parents will recognise the subtle critiques of permissive parenting, while children will connect with Imelda’s intense emotions, which sometimes feel one-sided. The book invites meaningful conversation about kindness, compassion and the impact of our behaviour, especially towards things we claim we love.
Further Information:
If you love The Rescue of Bunny Wunny, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
The Stats:
- Title: The Rescue of Bunny Wunny
- Author and Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
- ISBN: 978-0-00819027-0
- Publication Date: 2018
- Page Count: 32
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
- Recommended age: 3-7
- Categories/Topic: parenting, favourite toys, misbehaving
Where to Find it:
