Review Detail

Mr. Hare's Big Secret

Kids Fiction 347

Fun read aloud

January 21, 2016 (Updated: June 07, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Mr. Hare is hungry, and he is sitting under a cherry tree full of ripe fruit, but he has a plan to get some of it down from the tree. As his friends all join him and ask what he is doing, he tells them that he will share his secret with them if they will join him in a dance. The animals all have different styles that are recounted as each new animal joins ("Miss Mouse jiggled, Mr. Fox trotted, and Mrs. Duck wiggled."). When enough animals are under the tree, cherries start to fall and the friends have a feast.

Good Points

This simple text is supported by gorgeously realistic pictures of animals frolicking outside. They are reminiscent of Garth Williams' animals, and the soft focus greenery adds cheerful color and interest to the scenes. There is a feeling of motion when the animals dance, and the different descriptions of the way they move would make this book perfect for a story time read aloud, complete with actions, due to the repetition of the words.

Any fans of animal stories, from Wise Brown's Home for a Bunny to McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You will enjoy the beautiful illustrations. Those looking for books to use to encourage patterns and repetition or to use in active play related to the story will find it useful as well.