This was funny. A rabbit is annoyed by the mama rabbit's parenting and discipline, and sneaks out to the circus. The little rabbit gets in over his head when he starts billing a show about "the meanest mother on earth" and actually sells a lot of tickets to it. Mom comes to the rescue in a clever and ultimately loving -- but still wry! -- way. ( )

This was funny. A rabbit is annoyed by the mama rabbit's parenting and discipline, and sneaks out to the circus. The little rabbit gets in over his head when he starts billing a show about "the meanest mother on earth" and actually sells a lot of tickets to it. Mom comes to the rescue in a clever and ultimately loving -- but still wry! -- way. ( )

Little Rabbit wants to go to the circus. But his mother insists he clean up his huge, messy playroom first. Little Rabbit just can't do it though and misses out on a trip to the circus. But then he has an idea. He will join the circus...and his show will be The Meanest Mother on Earth! The story grows and grows until Little Rabbit gets into big trouble - fortunately, The Meanest Mother on Earth has a solution.

Klise perfectly captures the frustration and drama of a small child and the warmth and patience of his mother. The other Klise's acrylic art is finely detailed and full of mischievous little jokes. I did have trouble believing the characters were really rabbits - those are kangaroos, if ever I saw one, but otherwise I loved the story.

Read this to preschoolers and kindergarteners and possibly younger elementary students. They'll sympathize with Little Rabbit's anger and groan over the silly jokes. Be prepared to pass the book around afterwards for more study of the messy playroom and other details.

Verdict: Delightful!

ISBN: 978-0152062019; Published April 2010 by Harcourt; Borrowed from the library

Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth is the Klise sisters' latest picture book featuring Little Rabbit, and Little Rabbit's room is a MESS! He would love to attend the circus that has arrived in town, but mom has decreed that he must first clean the playroom. How mean is mom? She's the meanest mother on earth, and she's about to become the newest circus sideshow!

Only 5 cents! Odd! Shocking! The Amazing Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth!
Will Little Rabbit's mother satisfy the 100 animals who have purchased tickets to see the Meanest Mother on Earth? Or is there something even more shocking than the Meanest Mother on Earth?

Delightfully funny with humorously detailed paintings (don't miss the "mold-o-meter"), often featuring the "ring" motif of the circus.

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