"Little Bunny on the Move" and other gems by Peter McCarty

This Easter I happened to pick up "Little Bunny on the Move" by Peter McCarty. It was one of those things where I was so struck by the gorgeous illustrations that I purchased it as much for myself as for my son, despite the fact that the story seemed a little young for him. In fact, he loves the tale of this roving rabbit, requesting it over and over (or maybe he just shares his mom's sense of aesthetic). Naturally, I began to look for other McCarty stories, and fortunately found that this NYC School of the Visual Arts alum has written and illustrated more than a few.

Simple patterns and dramatic chiaroscuro, rather that garish colors and cluttered details, define McCarty's minimalist compositions. The atmospheric effect is rather reminiscent of Asian art, transporting you to slightly magical and peaceful world. All this combined with a dash of humor and large dose of personality, sets McCarty's books up quite nicely to enter the pantheon of children's classics.