Brave Squish Rabbit

The acclaimed Squish Rabbit is back and he is afraid of the dark. ‘Squish was just a little rabbit, but being little led to big fears’ opens the book. With a simplicity and gentle touch, the story arc acknowledges the real and irrational fears young children may suffer, before illustrating that friendship helps us overcome fear, as does acting bravely in spite of our worries. When Squish’s friend goes missing, Squish heads out into the night to find her and discovers that it isn’t the scary experience he had anticipated. The tale ends with Squish’s realisation that while he might be only small, ‘being brave makes him feel much bigger’.

The reassuring story has very simple text and clear illustrations that will appeal to toddlers and a thread of silliness, which may attract their older siblings. The contemporary graphics, including the spirited rabbit – a thick black line drawing – and his collage world, just beg to be made into an animation or picture book app. I doubt we’ve seen the last of Squish Rabbit.