Bunny the Brave War Horse: Based on a True Story (Hardcover)

Bunny the Brave War Horse: Based on a True Story By Elizabeth MacLeod, Marie Lafrance (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Elizabeth MacLeod, Marie Lafrance (Illustrator)
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Description


Award-winning nonfiction author Elizabeth MacLeod brings a slice of World War I history to life in this poignant picture book. It is based on the true story of a police horse named Bunny and his riders, brothers Bud and Thomas Dundas, sent to the European front as part of the 9th Battery Canadian Field Artillery. This quietly but powerfully told tale explores many of the actual on-the-ground hardships WWI soldiers endured, including a gas attack, wounded and killed comrades, exploding bombs and episodes of severe hunger. By focusing on the tender relationship between Bunny and the brothers and showing how he was able to provide comfort to the soldiers, the author makes the grim details easier for young readers to absorb. The somber palette employed by illustrator Marie Lafrance in her rich, distinctive and detailed artwork --- all on two-page spreads --- provides the appropriate level of seriousness.

As a bonus, the author has provided a brief historical recap at the end that provides more background information about the real-life Bunny, Tom and Bud, with dates and specifics about WWI, which would be useful for creating a global studies teaching plan. The geography of the region is enhanced with a color map. This powerful book would make an excellent resource for any social studies unit about WWI, while it also works as a personalized reminder of the toll that war takes on humanity. Early readers interested in history or horses would enjoy it on their own.

About the Author


Elizabeth MacLeod has written many children's books, including nine titles in the Snapshots Biography series, numerous titles in the Kids Can Read, Kids Books Of and Kids Can Do It series, Why Do Horses Have Manes?, What Did Dinosaurs Eat?, and Monster Fliers. She lives in Toronto.

Marie Lafrance lives in Montreal, Quebec. She has provided illustrations for magazines, newspapers, posters, billboards and dozens of educational books for children. Now she primarily works on picture books, using her warm and gently humorous illustrations to delight and entertain children of all ages.

Praise For…


Emotionally charged but never manipulative, Bunny's story and the story of World War I bravery will not be soon forgotten.—Kirkus Reviews

this is a poignant story ...—School Library Journal

MacLeod's lightly fictionalized narrative communicates the harsh realities of war without dwelling on blood and gore ... this will be a welcome addition to primary-grade history units.—Booklist Online

The illustrations complement the story well with tasteful renderings of harsh events.—Library Media Connection


Product Details
ISBN: 9781771380249
ISBN-10: 1771380241
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: August 1st, 2014
Pages: 32
Language: English