Betty Bunny Didn't Do It
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

"In the third invocation of that impish “handful” better known as Betty Bunny, narrator Kellgren gets it absolutely right—again. This time, the issue is lying. “Blaming someone else . . . was such a good idea. Betty Bunny didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before.” Downplaying the potential for didacticism in favor of wide-eyed, insouciant humor helps the lesson slide down ever so easily. In addition, the personalities Kellgren creates for Betty’s siblings—impatient brother Henry, gently helpful sister Kate, and name-calling brother Bill—are the perfect foils for their little sister’s blithe dip into dishonesty. She even negotiates the nuances of when to tell the truth and when to hold your tongue with aplomb, neatly avoiding the specter of a lecture. Parents and teachers will appreciate the message; kids will love all the hugs and the final, unexpected spin Betty manages to give to the lessons she’s just learned."

"Betty Bunny develops a lying problem. First she lies about a broken lamp and then changes her story as she thinks it will benefit her. Mom and Betty's siblings jump in to help Betty see the importance of telling the truth. This is a family affair and everyone gets involved with each character's unique personality popping out. Betty does learn her lesson but with a twist that will leave readers cheering. Narrator Katherine Kellgren does a nice job capturing Betty's emotions and the sometimes chaotic feel of family life. Her pacing allows listeners time to enjoy the accompanying illustrations without feeling rushed. Readers can choose to follow along with or without page turns signals; the recording uses the sound of a page turning, which is less intrusive than the loud beep found with some read-along titles. VERDICT This latest Betty Bunny title is a winner for young listeners."