(4) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santore. Adult fans of the classic sentimental story will be pleased that this edition contains the original, unabridged text, though it makes for a lengthy picture-book narrative. Fans of Santore's realistic style of painting will also be pleased: the large trim size of the volume adds to the drama of the artist's detailed, if stiff and formal, illustrations.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Williams's classic tale is newly illustrated with Spirin's lush paintings. Spirin grounds the story firmly in the Edwardian era; the child sports a sailor suit and buckled shoes and his mother wears a shirtwaist and has a Gibson Girl hairstyle. The volume is pretty, but it's more likely to appeal to sentimental adults than to children.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Monique Felix. In this reissue of the illustrated edition, the complete text of the classic tale about a toy rabbit is accompanied by full-page and double-page pastel pictures that are both ample and appealing. The handsomely designed book will please fans of the story.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Adapted by Lou Fancher. Illustrated by Paul Brett Johnson & Lou Fancher. Fancher adapts the classic story of a stuffed rabbit who becomes real when he experiences the love of a little boy. The adaptation retains much of the formal language and sentimental tone of the original and the oil paintings have a crackled look that contributes to the old-fashioned feel of the story. The story is sophisticated enough, even in this edited form, that it will appeal to the older picture book audience.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth