Borrowing Bunnies: A Surprising True Tale of Fostering Rabbits
Cynthia Lord (author)
John Bald (photographer) website
Hazel Mitchell (illustrator) website
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux website
Available at your local bookstore or
IndieBound Amazon B&N Books-A-Million
Borrowing Bunnies Coloring Page
Click here to download a "Coloring Bunnies" page by illustrator Hazel Mitchell (PDF)
More Bunny Photos
John Bald has a gallery of photos he took for Borrowing Bunnies that didn't get chosen for the book (but are pretty cute anyway).
Cottontail Cottage Sanctuary
The Maine-based rabbit rescue that sent Peggotty and Benjamin to Cynthia's house for fostering was Cottontail Cottage (website).
And More Bunnies!
Petunia Took Her Time is an unpublished story (with pictures!) about a black and white bunny named Petunia. Cynthia has a short video where she introduces Petunia, and then a video where she reads the book aloud with all the photos. Links below:
Borrowing Bunnies
"My family fosters bunnies for an animal rescue. That means that we take care of the bunnies at our home for a few months until they're ready to be adopted by another family. Some bunnies we foster have never lived in a home or been loved. It's our job to teach them how to be good pets for their new family."
Author Cynthia Lord likes fostering pet rabbits—or, as she fondly calls it, "borrowing bunnies." This is the heartwarming true story of the author's own journey with two very special rabbits, Peggoty and Benjamin. The rabbits had been neglected by their previous owner and were saved by the Cottontail Cottage Rabbit Recue. Cynthia agreed to foster the rabbits and help them learn to trust people and feel safe inside a home.
Cynthia's husband, John Bald, photographed the rabbits' every step toward adoption. The book includes delightful spot illustrations by Hazel Mitchell.
Awards and Honors
Bank Street College of Education's 2020 Best Children's Books of the Year
Wisconsin State Reading Association "Picture This" Recommended List 2020
"A true tale of bunny fostering sure to warm readers' hearts ... [A book] that could make a bunny lover out of anyone. An ideal gift for rabbit fans and a great addition to the cute-animal shelves" Kirkus Reviews
"Lord shares her personal story of fostering a pair of Netherland Dwarf rescue bunnies. ... Spot-art illustrations of rabbits provide a playful element, while the photographs—including those of Lord herself cuddling with the bunnies—make the foster story especially intimate." Publishers Weekly
"[An] irresistible photoessay about fostering rabbits for adoption. ... Spirited digital spot art livens up the pages and gives a little more detail on some situations, but it's the squeal-inducing photographs that will attract youngsters (and not a few adults)." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[A] standout nonfiction book about a subject many children might not be familiar with, or their parents either. Author Cynthia Lord narrates this charmer, explaining how she fosters bunnies, provides them with a safe, nurturing home readying them for adoption." The Missourian
"This true story, based on the author's experience and featuring INCREDIBLY cute, high-quality photos of the bunnies themselves, gives readers a real sense of what it means to be a rabbit owner." Baby Bookworm Blog
Nominated for Kids' Choice Awards:
Nutmeg Book Award (Connecticut)
Young Readers Choice Award (Pennsylvania)
Beehive Book award (Utah)
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award