Little Rabbit Lost by Harry Horse

We picked up Little Rabbit Lost by Harry Horse in a charity shop, just by chance, because I liked the look of the illustrations. It was one of those serendipitous finds that has since turned into a firm bedtime favourite.

Bucking the modern trend for graphic shapes and an arch, knowing style, Horse portrays a detailed and beguiling world with plenty of detail for both kids and their parents to point out. A couple of the double-page spreads in this book are truly marvellous, showing the tree-root home of an extensive bunny family, and later, a theme park, complete with carrot speedboats, big wheel and such a rich selection of delights that every child will wish they could be there.

Appealing, also, is the strong moral of the story, which gently tells children not to wander off in busy places, no matter how big they might feel they are. This is one of a series: sadly, it seems Horse died in unusual and extreme circumstances (unlike his stories, utterly unsuitable for your child's ears) in 2007, so what exists of his work is all there is. It's a shocking background to a series of books that portray a beautiful and innocent world, but it hasn't quite put me off buying the rest.