Hare B&B

Harriet, aka Harry, had been the only child in the hare family until “unexpectedly, her mother had identical septuplets.” As their older sister, Harry willingly contributes much to the care of her siblings, including taking them on walks in their large pram, but it is during one such walk that tragedy strikes the family, causing Harry to become the leverets’ sole caregiver. Apparently, a coyote, disguised as an encyclopedia salesman, had been allowed entry into the family home as “Harry’s mother and father, who prized education, let her in.”

Recognizing that “To keep our home, we must earn money”, Harry proposes that they convert their parents’ bedroom into a Hare B&B. “I can prepare the breakfast. Each of you must do something to help”, and help they do, with each young hare taking on a task from dusting to harp playing, the latter to “sooth our guests with soothing music”. The B&B is an enormous success, but reenter the coyote, this time disguised as a rabbit. Claiming to be on her way to be the maid of honour at her sister’s wedding, the coyote seeks overnight accommodation. However, during the conversation, the “rabbit” coyote verbally slips by saying, “We hares must stick together.” The eight hares definitely do stick together and the next morning overcome the coyote and turn her over to the constable who administers an unexpected and unusual form of justice.

While Richardson’s text is aimed at a juvenile audience, he does offer the adult reader some moments of humour, such as placing “unexpectedly” before “her mother had identical septuplets”. Given that hares can have up to four litters a year, the leverets’ arrival should not have been a surprise. Another bit of adult-focused humor occurs when “the birds tweeted/i> [emphasis mne] their good reviews.” Richardson’s witty read is enhanced by Pechet’s delicate pen and ink and watercolour (?) illustrations that are filled with delightful little details, such as Harry’s reading a book titled “HARE E. POTTER or the coyote’s rabbit ears having a tag that reads “FRANK’S RABBIT COSTUME INC.” The cover image, a family coat of arms, bears a Latin motto that roughly translates as “Eat cabbage”.

Hare B&B lives up to its punning title’s promise of fun.