School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Jasper Bunny, a dapper hare dressed in a three-piece suit and scarf, heads out of his snow-covered house in search of the perfect valentine for his wife, Lilly. At his first stop, he happens upon seven porcupine children knitting a scarf for their mother, but quickly realizes that he can't knit. Trudging on, Jasper finds that while a box of chocolate-covered flies is the perfect gift for Miriam Frog to give to her husband, "it's definitely not something.Lilly would enjoy!" After a brief visit to Everett Raccoon's peddler wagon, Jasper finds himself at Fox's door and barely avoids becoming rabbit stew. Wet and despairing, he describes his failed plans to a wise cardinal who shows him that he has already made the perfect gift. Jasper rushes home to Lilly, who loves the heart his determined footprints have drawn across the valley. Petersen's whimsical, full-bleed illustrations with Victorian-pattern details add warmth and gentle humor to the story. The raccoon's posture and expression give readers all the information necessary to hear exactly how he might speak to Jasper, and the bunny's expressive ears show the earnestness of his journey. Adults and children alike will smile when, along with Jasper, they discover his gift to Lilly. The timeless quality of the theme and perfect cast of supporting characters make this valentine story a head (or at least two rabbit ears) above the rest.-Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Petersen, creator of the Mouse Guard comic book series, makes his picture book debut with the story of Jasper, a rabbit who is determined to come up with the perfect Valentine's Day gift for his wife, Lily. It's a familiar premise, and so is the resolution, which is unnecessarily spelled out at book's end: "Jasper's journey showed the greatest gift he could give: his love for her." However, the project exudes so much charm that readers aren't likely to mind. With dapperly attired characters like Miriam the frog (who has prepared chocolate-covered flies for her beloved) and Teagan the fox (who has rabbit stew in mind for his wife, much to Jasper's alarm), Petersen's storytelling and artwork offer hints of Beatrix Potter and Kenneth Grahame. It's a world that readers will be happy to lose themselves in. Ages 3-8. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
