REVIEW: Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood, illustrations by T.L. McBeth
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The clothes don’t make the bunny in this new picture book from New York Times-bestselling author Deborah Underwood, illustrated by T. L. McBeth.
When Ogilvy moves to a new town, the possibilities feel endless. There are so many new bunny friends and fun things to do together! But in this town, bunnies in dresses play ball and knit socks, and bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks. Ogilvy wants to do everything—and won’t let a sweater or a dress get in the way.
Dear Ms. Underwood,
I heard about this book from another online reviewer and zipped over to my library to see if they had it. Success! Voila! They do and I read it and it’s wonderful.
Ogilvy Bunny just wants to have fun and not be limited. Draw today? Why, yes, that’s the ticket. Play ball, what – that’s not possible if you’re wearing a dress? But what’s a bunny to do if they want to do both? Well for a while Ogilvy has to change to fit what the other bunnies say has to be done. But why? Why can’t bunnies in dresses make art or bunnies in sweaters knit socks? Finally Ogilvy’s had enough and makes a stand. But will the other bunnies accept this or not?
The rhyming here is delightful and fun. It reminds me – just a bit – of the great. Dr. Seuss. How the plot is handled, deftly and with humor, also reminds me of some of my favorite Seuss books. The absurdity of bunnies having to wear certain clothes to do certain things is obviously a stand-in for society pigeon holing people but the lesson is delivered gently without bashing it home. It’s a lovely story which can open discussion about being yourself and accepting other people. It’s also a book that after I’d read it once, I immediately flipped back to the front and read again. B+
~Jayne
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