Look at the coverHow does the cover, challenge what you already know and feel about rabbits?
The title of this book is My Dead Bunny, it is written by Sigi Cohen and illustrated by James Foley. Look at the colours used and the expressions on the faces of the characters. What sort of "bunny" is this story going to be about? How could this story make you feel? What do you think might happen in this story? Find the actual book in the brown paper bag next to the tv!! |
Afterwards ....
What did you think about this book?
How did it make you feel?
Did you like it or not? Why
Why do you think the author wrote this story? Was he intending to be scary? Funny?
Would all children like this book?
How did it make you feel?
Did you like it or not? Why
Why do you think the author wrote this story? Was he intending to be scary? Funny?
Would all children like this book?
Discussion points
Choose from the headings below to further your discussion about this book . . . .
Colour
Why is the book mainly in black and white? Why is green the only spot colour? And why this particular shade of green? What does this green make you think of? Why are the zombies coloured green? What would happen if the zombies were black and white like everything else?
James was influenced by the classic black-and-white monster movies such as Frankenstein (1931) and The Invisible Man (1933), and kid-friendly scary movies like ParaNorman (2012), Monster House (2006) and Frankenweenie (2012). Find movie posters for these movies and compare them to the illustrations in this book. What similarities can you see? |
Point of View (Camera Angles)
When the family bury Bunny Brad, why is the “camera” in the grave, pointing up? What feeling does this give? What does it allow you to see? When the men in white take the sister away, why is the “camera” on an angle? What feeling does this give? What does it allow you to see? When Bunny Brad follows the family to the Grand Hotel, why is the camera behind his head? What does the illustrator want us to see? Why don’t we see Bunny Brad’s face (and do we need to)? |
Character Design
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Cover Design
What do you like about the cover? What would you change? Why do you think this image was chosen for the cover? Why these fonts? Why this layout? Have a go at redesigning the cover. Check out the other drafts that James made here:
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Book Trailer
What do you like about the trailer? What would you change? Why do you think James chose this music?