The rabbit is one of the most popular pets for children. It may be that, as a parent, you remember owning one, or that they always look so very cute and fluffy, or even that parents and children believe that rabbits can just be shoved in a hutch and, well, there you go – one pet.
Strangely enough, there is rather more to owning and caring for a rabbit than that, and it is lovely to see that Usborne Publishing have taken on board the idea that children need to know about caring for their pets, just as much as parents and carers do. The Rabbits book (Usborne 2005, ISBN 0 7460 6191 9) in Usborne’s First Pets series guides the child through all they will need to know.
Book Layout and Style
Sixteen chapters in relatively large, child-friendly sized type, take the reader through a range of knowledge relating to rabbits, from the different types of rabbit and items needed to care for it, to what to do with you rabbit to look after it effectively, including trips to the vet, and what to do if you are going away on holiday. A handy index is provided for ease of reference, and is a useful devise in itself for teaching children how to use an index for reference.
The book is highly visual and has tried to include as many varying photos of different rabbits as possible. The many poses and actions of the rabbits in the photos themselves have great informative and entertainment value for children (and a huge cuteness factor to appeal to us larger kids!).
Photos of equipment used in the care of rabbits have been included wherever possible. These have been intermingled with annotated, cartoon-like illustrations to consolidate information for the child reader.
Read and Learn
One of the most responsible things anyone can do for their pet is to learn what to feed them, in order to prevent internal problems with the animal. Much is made of feeding in this book and an accurate but carefully worded description of suitable food and the consequences of unsuitable food being given is included, particularly when it comes to fresh food.
Generally, the advice is extremely responsible and any child (or parent) following this book’s advice as a novice rabbit keeper would not go far wrong. The only real bone of contention for some people may be in the information regarding keeping two pets. The book suggests that rabbits can be kept with guinea pigs in the same hutch.
This is a largely debated subject. For every one who suggests this, there will be another who says this should not be done, as the rabbit could kick or fight with the smaller guinea pig, thus causing injury, or worse. As with all suggestions, it is wise to undertake some independent research on the matter and make your decision from there.
A Contemporary Book - Internet Links
The most innovative part of this book, as in many of Usborne’s non-fiction texts, is the introduction of Usborne Quicklinks. These are Internet links which are recommended for children by Usborne. Each double page spread contains a suggested Quicklink for the subject on the page of the book, either in the header or the footer and include activities such as finding information, pictures, instructional cartoons, and quizzes. Safety information for both children and parents is placed on the inside front cover with regard to using the Internet.
The reader does not have to be computer literate and this book can be used as a self-contained care book, but the added dimension of information available over the Internet gives the child reader a good head start when preparing to take care of a cute and cuddly bundle of fluff.
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