My Friend Rabbit is a children'spicture book written and illustrated by Eric Rohmann and first published in 2002. The illustrations in the book earned Rohmann the Caldecott Medal in 2003.[1]My Friend Rabbit was adapted into an animated television series in 2007.
My Friend Rabbit is a 32-page children's picture book, which follows the adventures of a mouse and a rabbit.
Rohmann used "thick-lined colored woodcuts" to illustrate his book.[2] The reader needs to turn the book sideways to look at one image properly, making "the climax [...] even more dramatic".[3] According to a reviewer in Booklist, the book's "[t]remendous physical humor delivers a gentle lesson about accepting friends as they are".[4]
Synopsis
A mouse loans his new airplane to his best friend, Rabbit, resulting in a series of troublesome events. When the airplane gets stuck in a tree, Rabbit gathers a group of animals in an attempt to retrieve it. The plan goes awry and the animals fall, causing them to become angry with Rabbit. Despite this, Mouse remains loyal to his friend and demonstrates the true nature of friendship. In the end, Rabbit comes up with a new idea to retrieve the airplane, leading to further adventures.
October 4, 2007 (2007-10-04)– September 12, 2008 (2008-09-12)
In the autumn of 2007, Nelvana produced an animated children's television show based on My Friend Rabbit.[5] The program was recognized with several awards, including the Pulcinella Award for Best Preschool TV Series in 2008 and the Alliance of Children's Television Award for Best Preschool Series in 2009. The show was also nominated for three Gemini Awards in categories that included Best Direction, Best Musical Scoring, and Best Screenwriting. The nominees were Jason Groh for Best Direction,[citation needed]John Welsman for Best Musical Scoring, and Steve Westren for Best Screenwriting. Ultimately, Steve Westren won the award.[6]
This show aired on Qubo (first on the programming blocks on NBC and Telemundo on October 4, 2007, and the network on October 6) and continued until July 25, 2020.[7]
Cast and characters
Rabbit (voiced by Peter Oldring) is a kind and sharing rabbit who gets into all types of situations. He comes up with simple inventions (made out of simple things like leaves and branches) often to help a friend in need. He is fun-loving and enthusiastic.
Mouse (voiced by Richard Binsley) is a loving and sharing mouse who is Rabbit's sidekick and also gets into situations which fit him and Rabbit. He is also aquaphobic, which means he doesn't like water or swimming. He breaks the fourth wall in every episode.
Hazel (voiced by Denise Oliver) is an acorn-loving squirrel who tends to be very busy a lot. She is seen spending time dealing with her acorns. Similar to Mouse, she doesn't like swimming, or else she's a squirrel with a wet tail.
Thunder (voiced by Jeremy Harris) is a shy, quiet and obese rhinoceros who tends to be a bit "slower" than the others, but is cheerful and loves learning new things. His heart is as huge as he is. He is air-headed and clumsy, but he is very kindhearted and is friendly to everyone else.
Jasper (voiced by Milton Barnes) is a crocodile who loves fishing. When the others need help, they usually go to him. He seems to be the most mature and knows many things the others don't. When the others need to know something, they often go to him for sage advice.
The Gibble Goose Girls are a quartet of goslings that go and do everything together. Their names are Coral (voiced by Isabel de Carteret), Amber (voiced by Hannah Endicott-Douglas), Jade (voiced by Nissae Isen) and Pearl (voiced by Camden Angelis). They always stick together, and are rarely seen alone. They look, act, and even sound the same. They are inseparable. None of the girls can actually fly because they are too young.
Edweena (voiced by Stacey DePass) is an elephant who acts like everybody's big sister. Similar to Thunder, she is really nice and has a huge heart. She is a gentle giant who looks out for everyone.
Episodes
All episodes are directed by Jason Groh.
No.
Title
Written by
Storyboard by
Original U.S. airdate
Production code
1
"Little Dutch Rabbit / Fishing for the Moon"
Karen Moonah (Little Dutch Rabbit) Katherine Sandford (Fishing for the Moon)
Dimitrije Kostic (Little Dutch Rabbit) James Caswell (Fishing for the Moon)
October5,2007(2007-10-05)
101
When Rabbit gets a bad itch, he removes a stick from a dam to scratch it.
While out at night, Rabbit notices the moon is missing.
2
"Follow the Leader / Chasing Rainbows"
Clive Endersby (Follow the Leader) Karen Moonah (Chasing Rainbows)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Follow the Leader) Mike MacDougall (Chasing Rainbows)
October19,2007(2007-10-19)
102
Rabbit asks Mouse to play follow the leader with him.
Rabbit wants Mouse to play with him on a rainy day, but Mouse hates getting wet.
3
"Mouse's Moss / The Sound of Silence"
Katherine Sandford (Mouse's Moss) Clive Endersby (The Sound of Silence)
Shane Doyle (Mouse's Moss) James Caswell (The Sound of Silence)
November2,2007(2007-11-02)
103
While Mouse is taking a nap with his favorite cuddle moss, Mossy, Rabbit and Thunder have fun with a flippy device.
Mouse and Rabbit notice Jasper standing completely still and silent.
4
"Hazel's Big Surprise / The Last Leaf"
Katherine Sanford (Hazel's Big Surprise) Karen Moonah (The Last Leaf)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Hazel's Big Surprise) Mike MacDougall (The Last Leaf)
November16,2007(2007-11-16)
104
Hazel has gathered, polished and stored all the acorns in the area.
Rabbit creates an exciting new device called a Snow Snapper and he can't wait to try it out.
5
"A Gift to Last / The Big 'To Do"
Clive Endersby (A Gift to Last) Karen Moonah (The Big 'To Do)
Shane Doyle (A Gift to Last) James Caswell (The Big 'To Do)
November30,2007(2007-11-30)
105
When Mouse and Rabbit learn that it's Jasper's birthday, they think hard about what they could get him for a gift.
Rabbit, Mouse and the Gibble Goose Girls all want to go swimming.
Mike MacDougall (Muddy Puddle) Luisito G. Escauriaga (Silly Pilly)
December14,2007(2007-12-14)
106
Rabbit and Mouse end up stuck in a mud puddle and after calling for help, their friends get stuck too.
Rabbit wants to perform a special move he developed called the Triple Bipple Backwards Flipple, but can't because there's a caterpillar on his head.
7
"Nest Quest / Bouncy Bog"
Jeff Sweeney (Nest Quest) Cathy Moss (Bouncy Bog)
Shane Doyle (Nest Quest) James Caswell (Bouncy Bog)
January4,2008(2008-01-04)
107
The Gibble-Goose Girls' nest is bounced away and so they need a new nest.
Mouse and Rabbit find a bouncy bog and are delighted at the idea of sharing with Thunder.
8
"Branching Out / The Willow Pond Wackadoo"
Steve Westren (Branching Out) Jeff Sweeney (The Willow Pond Wackadoo)
Mike MacDougall (Branching Out) Dimitrije Kostic (The Willow Pond Wackadoo)
January11,2008(2008-01-11)
108
When wind blows a tree in front of the entrance to Rabbit's sleeping hole, his friends invite him to spend the night at their places.
When Rabbit, Mouse and Thunder are bored and hot, Thunder tells them a story to cool them down.
9
"I'm Rabbit! I'm Rabbit! / Bogged in Fog"
Cathy Moss (I'm Rabbit! I'm Rabbit!) Steve Westren (Bogged in Fog)
Shane Doyle (I'm Rabbit! I'm Rabbit!) James Caswell (Bogged in Fog)
January25,2008(2008-01-25)
109
Rabbit and the others start to hear their echoes for the first time.
Rabbit and Mouse head off to see Jasper, who says that he has a big surprise for them.
10
"Strange Bee-haviour / The Flighty Fly"
Karen Moonah (Strange Bee-haviour) Cathy Moss (The Flighty Fly)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Strange Bee-haviour) Mike MacDougall (The Flighty Fly)
February8,2008(2008-02-08)
110
Mouse is trying to tell his friends a story about a bat named Batilda.
Rabbit invents a new toy called the Flighty Fly.
11
"Hazel's Voice / The Perfect Rock"
Steve Westren (Hazel's Voice) Katherine Sandford (The Perfect Rock)
Shane Doyle (Hazel's Voice) James Caswell (The Perfect Rock)
February22,2008(2008-02-22)
111
Hazel has a sore throat.
Thunder thinks he has found the perfect rock to add to his collection.
12
"Thunder the Poet / The Strawberry Patch"
Karen Moonah (Thunder the Poet) Cathy Moss (The Strawberry Patch)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Thunder the Poet) Mike MacDougall (The Strawberry Patch)
March7,2008(2008-03-07)
112
Thunder forgets a poem he made up.
Mouse wants to retrieve strawberries from behind a prickly hedge to surprise Rabbit.
13
"A Sticky Situation / Ladybug Day"
Karen Moonah (A Sticky Situation) Jeff Sweeney (Ladybug Day)
Shane Doyle (A Sticky Situation) James Caswell (Ladybug Day)
March21,2008(2008-03-21)
113
Rabbit and Mouse get their paws stuck to a stick covered with pine sap.
The animals try to celebrate Ladybug Day by throwing a party for a bunch of the insects.
14
"The Greatest Invention / Turtle in a Hurry"
Jeff Sweeney (The Greatest Invention) Steve Westren (Turtle in a Hurry)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (The Greatest Invention) Mike MacDougall (Turtle in a Hurry)
April4,2008(2008-04-04)
114
Jasper claims that his fishing stick is the Greatest Invention. Rabbit has a hard time believing it until the fishing stick helps rescue Amber from a mud puddle, allows Hazel and Edweena to sing together, shields Mouse from the rain, retrieves lost property and serves as a Friend Keeper.
Rabbit and Mouse enlist the aid of their friends in order to help 'Logan' a young turtle reach the 'Turtle Jolly Jumbo Jamboree' in time to compete in the amazing Turtle Jolly Jumbo Jamboree jiggle-jog race
15
"A Private Place / My Droopy Friend"
Jeff Sweeney (A Private Place) Ann MacNaughton (My Droopy Friend)
James Caswell (A Private Place) Shane Doyle (My Droopy Friend)
April18,2008(2008-04-18)
115
When the friends learn that Edweena has a private place where she goes to be alone, they all decide they want one two. But soon they discover that finding a suitable, enjoyable and comfortable 'private place' is not as easy as it seems.
When Mouse plants a sunflower seed, he discovers that Sunflowers need both sun and water to grow. With the help of his friends, Mouse helps the drooping Sunflower to become perky and learns that plants often thrive best in their natural environment.
16
"Pearl's Pals / For the Birds"
Katherine Sandford (Pearl's Pals) Steve Westren (For the Birds)
Dimitrije Kostic (Pearl's Pals) Luisito G. Escauriaga (For the Birds)
May2,2008(2008-05-02)
116
When Pearl becomes fascinated by a school of tadpoles, the other Gibble Goose Girls have to adjust their morning walk routine -- luckily they find a new leader, Mouse! Meanwhile, Pearl learns a new move from the GGG's swim-dance from her tadpole friends.
When Edweena wants to make friends with a flock of pretty yellow songbirds, she enlists the help of the gang to teach her different friend-making strategies, but finally finds the best way on her own.
17
"Hazel's Noise / Don't Touch Mossy"
Ann MacNaughton (Hazel's Noise) Karen Moonah (Don't Touch Mossy)
Shane Doyle (Hazel's Noise) James Caswell (Don't Touch Mossy)
May16,2008(2008-05-16)
117
Rabbit, Mouse and Thunder help Hazel find the source of an irritating noise.
Mouse's mossy becomes muddy and damp.
18
"Mouse's Mountain / You Be Me"
Katherine Sandford (Mouse's Mountain) Jeff Sweeney (You Be Me)
Lusiito G. Escauriaga (Mouse's Mountain) Mike MacDougall (You Be Me)
May30,2008(2008-05-30)
118
Mouse wants to climb Big Mountain.
Mouse and Thunder decide to change places for the day.
19
"Gibble Goose Girls Galore / Scaredy Skunk"
Ann MacNaughton (Gibble Goose Girls Galore) Steve Westren (Scaredy Skunk)
Shane Doyle (Gibble Goose Girls Galore) James Caswell (Scaredy Skunk)
June13,2008(2008-06-13)
119
The Gibble Goose Girls find it difficult to dance together when they misunderstand Rabbit's complements and think that their step is the best. But by watching Rabbit and Mouse work together to create fantastic 'stump-jumps' they realize that only by practicing, being open to suggestions and working together can they improve on their individual move.
Mouse and Rabbit are playing with Edweena when they meet a little skunk named Fowler. They invite Fowler to join them, but it turns out Edweena's afraid of Fowler, and Fowler's afraid of Edweena. Mouse and Rabbit realize the best way for the two to get over their fear of each other is to learn all about each other.
20
"Edweena's New Friend / The Big Goose"
Katherine Sandford (Edweena's New Friend) Ann McNaughton (The Big Goose)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Edweena's New Friend) Mike MacDougall (The Big Goose)
June27,2008(2008-06-27)
120
When Edweena's new friend Lexi has to hibernate, Mouse, Rabbit and Jasper help her say goodbye.
All the Gibble Goose Girls, especially Jade, are entranced by the new goose in town.
21
"The Mysterious Acorn Mystery / Frog on a Log"
Ann MacNaughton (The Mysterious Acorn Mystery) Steve Westren (Frog on a Log)
Shane Doyle (The Mysterious Acorn Mystery) James Caswell (Frog on a Log)
July11,2008(2008-07-11)
121
Hazel, Rabbit and Mouse are totally confused when Hazel's acorns disappear from one place and appear in another.
Emmett, a large Bullfrog has decided to make his home in the pond.
22
"The Hoppiest Wish / Mouse’s Mysterious Something"
Katherine Sandford (The Happiest Wish) Jeff Sweeney (Mouse's Mysterious Something)
Dimitrie Kostic (The Happiest Wish) Mike MacDougall (Mouse's Mysterious Something)
July25,2008(2008-07-25)
122
When Mouse wishes to be The Hoppiest Hopper, his friends work together to think of some imaginative hop helpers to aid him in getting his wish.
Mouse finds a mysterious something on the beach.
23
"Catch Me If You Can / The Snow Geese"
Steve Westren (Catch Me If You Can) Ann MacNaughton (The Snow Geese)
Shane Doyle (Catch Me If You Can) James Caswell (The Snow Geese)
August8,2008(2008-08-08)
123
Thunder is trying to help Hazel catch acorns before they roll into the creek.
The Gibble Goose Girls are having a tough time adapting to their first winter.
24
"Honey and Berries / Birthday Mousey"
Jeff Sweeney (Honey and Berries) Ann MacNaughton (Birthday Mousey)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Honey and Berries) Mike MacDougall (Birthday Mousey)
August22,2008(2008-08-22)
124
After Mouse and Rabbit accidentally eat all of Hazel’s blueberries, they realize saying sorry may not be enough.
Rabbit makes Mouse an unexpected birthday gift.
25
"Sing a Song / Snowed Under"
Clive Endersby
Shane Doyle (Sing a Song) James Caswell (Snowed Under)
September5,2008(2008-09-05)
125
An Arctic Tern named Tommy crash lands in a tree in the forest.
When a snow covered branch falls, Hazel’s winter store of acorns are dislodged and bounce everywhere.
26
"Jasper's Frozen Smarts / Thunder's Idea Maker"
Katherine Sandford (Jasper's Frozen Smarts) Ann MacNaughton (Thunder's Idea Maker)
Luisito G. Escauriaga (Jasper's Frozen Smarts) Mike MacDougall (Thunder's Idea Maker)
September12,2008(2008-09-12)
126
Mouse becomes convinced that Jasper’s mind must have frozen in the cold.
Thunder figures out a good way to get unstuck from the knothole.
References
↑ "Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938 to present"(PDF). ala.org. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023. 2003 Medal Winner: My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann (Roaring Brook Press/Millbrook Press)
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