Battle Bunny - by Jon Scieszka & Mac Barnett (Hardcover)

About the Book

Alex, whose birthday it is, hijacks a story about Birthday Bunny on his special day and turns it into a battle between a supervillain and his enemies in the forest--who, in the original story, are simply planning a surprise party.

Book Synopsis

Encourage creativity with this wildly entertaining picture book mash-up from the minds of Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett.

Alex has been given a saccharine, sappy, silly-sweet picture book about Birthday Bunny that his grandma found at a garage sale. Alex isn't interested--until he decides to make the book something he'd actually like to read. So he takes out his pencil, sharpens his creativity, and totally transforms the story!

Birthday Bunny becomes Battle Bunny, and the rabbit's innocent journey through the forest morphs into a supersecret mission to unleash an evil plan--a plan that only Alex can stop.

Featuring layered, original artwork that emphasizes Alex's additions, this dynamic exploration of creative storytelling is sure to engage and inspire.

Review Quotes

* "The resulting text is thus an honest reflection of the ways kids interact with books--in a way that's accessible to kids themselves--as well as a complexly layered work of comic genius."-- "BCCB, in a starred reviewe"

* "This is a perfect book to give independent readers who are looking for something a little different. The unique layout and design will inspire creativity in readers."-- "School Library Journal, in a starred review"

* "Battle Bunny makes for great entertainment: it's funny, the plot builds, and the protagonist captivates readers' attention. It also begs to be reread and shared. Kids will be eager to compare notes and to relive it with their friends."-- "Shelf Awareness, starred review"

* "This deliciously subversive piece of metafiction skewers--with sharp wit and a sharper pencil--the earnest, purposeful literature so popular in the middle of the last century."-- "Booklist, starred review"

"It's all very clever...."-- "The Horn Book"

"This book says 'Welcome!' to children."-- "The New York Times"

A "Best Book of 2013!"-- "National Public Radio"

* "A hilarious and transgressive story with a clear message: Don't suffer schlock."-- "Publishers Weekly"

* "An enthusiastically taboo, devil-may-care outing for combat fans--and a great writing inspiration to use on old books headed for the bin."-- "Kirkus"

A "Best 2013 Books" in the Children's Picture Book category!-- "Publishers Weekly"

A Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Bestseller for Children's Illustrated Books-- "SCIBA"

A New York Times bestseller-- "The New York Times"

2014 Picture Book of the Year-- "Northern California Independent Booksellers Association's"

About the Author

Jon Scieszka is the creator of Trucktown, including the New York Times bestselling Smash, Crash!, and the author of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, the Time Warp Trio series, Caldecott Honor Book The Stinky Cheese Man, and many other books that inspire kids to want to read. He has worked as an elementary school teacher and is the founder of GuysRead.com, a literacy initiative for boys.

Mac Barnett was named the 2025-26 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress. He's the author of more than sixty books for children, including Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by Jon Klassen, which won a Caldecott Honor and the E. B. White Read Aloud Award. Mac's books include the First Cat in Space graphic novels and the picture book A Polar Bear in the Snow, all illustrated by Shawn Harris. He lives in Oakland, California.

Matt Myers has illustrated more than a dozen books, including The Most Terrible of All, A Dog Named Doug, the New York Times bestseller Battle Bunny, and The Infamous Ratsos, a Theodor Seuss Geisel honor book. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can see more illustrations and fine art at MyersPaints.com.