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The Mystery of the Thinking Rabbit

The Mystery of the Thinking Rabbit

by Clarice Lispector, illustrated by Kammal João, translated from the Portuguese by Benjamin Moser

$14.96
$19.95 $14.96
Ages 5–8 Children's Literature International Literature
Format

Joãozinho is an ordinary rabbit, happy and hungry. Ideas come to rabbits when they scrunch and unscrunch their noses, but as anyone who has seen a rabbit knows, they do this nonstop. In order to sniff out one single idea, they have to scrunch their noses 15,000 times. Joãozinho comes up with an idea as good as the smell of a fresh carrot. He's finally figured out how to escape from his rabbit hutch in order to find more food. Joãozinho soon becomes an escape artist—but how does he do it? That's a mystery he dares you to solve.

Clarice Lispector, one of the foremost writers of the twentieth century, wrote this story for her son Paulo, a lover of rabbits when he was small and, as she writes in her introductory note, “had yet to discover stronger affections.”

Additional Book Information

Series: NYRB Kids
ISBN: 9781681378985
Pages: 48
Publication Date:

Praise

Though Lispector’s legacy has largely been defined by her innovative novels, such as The Hour of the Star and The Passion According to GH, these two picture books provide a new glimpse into the author’s imagination. They also stand as “less linear, more unusual” additions to children’s literature.
—Eva Baron, Publishers Weekly

Aside from profound, occasionally disturbing stories, the other sure bet in Lispector’s work is a near-constant element of surprise. What a pleasure, then, to encounter new illustrated editions of two stories she wrote for children. These wise, cheerful and kooky fables, both translated by Benjamin Moser, draw on the author’s abiding fascination with and affinity for animals.
—Joumana Khatib, The New York Times Book Review

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