Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

It has been a very long time since I have read this book, and last week I just read it for the first time in 20 years with my children. I honestly forgot the book entirely. I like that the story is written by the dog, though at the beginning he sounds very intelligent, but later with Chester he doesn't seem very smart at all. I was surprised at how little story/events there are in the book. Some of the words were a little obscure for my 6 and 7 year old, but I like that because that is how you learn them! It wasn't quite as exciting for the girls as say, Junie B. Jones, but they did like that it was about animals. And they like the character Bunnicula himself.

A fun book.

It’s an adorable children’s book! Definitely a little dated but still very enjoyable.

It's awesome, says the 9-year-old.

I remember reading these as a child in elementary school - ordered the books through the Scholasatic Book Program. I LOVED the Bunnicula series!!! Sooo cute. Wonderful children's books. Haven't thought of them in years, but seeing the book on Goodreads reminds me of their joy. I have a young son now as well, so this is going to be the next book I read to him!

A family dog narrates this story of the new pet rabbit, its peculiar eating habits, and the zealous cat who is determined to rid them of the threat it may or may not pose.Cute, but nothing extraordinary. I think this one definitely needs to be read as a young 'un.

Such a cute little story! Perfect for young readers who like a bit of a darker tale without being too scary. Can't wait to read the rest of the series with my son.

What a fun little story. A lot more about family dynamics with only a hint of the sinister. The cover is the "scariest" thing about it. Wish I could time hop and tell that to my 9-year-old self!

Such a cute little story! Perfect for young readers who like a bit of a darker tale without being too scary. Can't wait to read the rest of the series with my son.

When the Monroe family brings home a new rabbit as a pet, Chester the cat is convinced the little fellow is a vampire. Harold the dog is brought into Chester's conspiracy and begins to wonder what to make of all the changes in the house.Bunnicula is one of those classics that I somehow missed out on as a kid, so I decided to right that wrong now. Despite being a few decades old, the book held up pretty well. Although technically a horror book, this title really isn't scary, which is nice for those of us who don't like to be frightened out of our wits. (However, for kids who really do enjoy spooky stories, they might be slightly disappointed to find out this book is not that.) Instead, the book is little mysterious with lots of humorous parts. Telling the story from the point of view of the family's dog was delightful. Anyone who has a pet (or has spent a bit of time around those who do) will get a kick out of Chester's and Harold's doings. There was one particular passage about Chester needing 20 minutes to adjust himself comfortably in a chair that had me chuckling aloud, as that is a sight I often witness with my cats.The simple sketches aren't really necessary, although they do add a little something extra to the story. For instance, the image of Chester in his mouse sweater was even funnier than just reading about it. In sum, this book is perfect for a light and funny read that goes quickly. I can definitely seeing it appealing to both kids and adults who are looking for a good laugh.

The Monroe family is just a typical American family - and still is in many respects. However, little does this normal family realize how much their situation will change by the end of a particularly dark and stormy night. The family pets - Harold the dog and Chester the cat are both spending a quiet night at home, while Mom and Dad Monroe and their two sons - eight-year-old Toby and ten-year-old Pete - are at the movies.By the time that the Monroes return, they seem to have acquired an unexpected guest - a tiny cute-looking black and white bunny, that the boys found bundled up in the very last row of the movie theater. Obviously, such an innocent, harmless creature only needs a good home and a loving family to care for him. So, the Monroe family decides to take this homeless little waif back with them, and name him Bunnicula, in honor of the movie that they saw: Dracula.Immediately, Harold and Chester's suspicions are raised. Apparently, all the diabolical signs are there - a seemingly heart-broken mother's message is pinned to the baby rabbit's blanket: "Take good care of my baby" is scrawled in an obscure foreign dialect; strains of exotic violin music echo hauntingly through the night; the desiccated husks of defenseless vegetables litter the Monroes' kitchen floor, although the peculiar bunny shows an obvious aversion to garlic. As Bunnicula slowly settles into his new home and family, Harold and Chester's ultimate mission soon becomes abundantly clear: Beware of the Hare!The furry duo know that they must do everything within their power to protect the unsuspecting Monroe family from the frightening repercussions of their kindly actions. This well-meaning family has absolutely no inkling of the immense danger in which they have placed themselves. After all, Bunnicula's master plan of domestic domination is stunningly devious for all its quiet simplicity: "Today vegetables...tomorrow the world!" Before it gets too late, Harold and Chester must discover the truth about the newest addition to their household - the suspicious-looking bunny with the mesmerizing eyes and unusual behavior...and fangs!I've actually read this book once before - when I was approximately ten years old. I had received this book from the Scholastic Book Club during one of the several times a year that the book club sent their newsletter around to all the school districts. The kids in my class were allowed to choose whichever books they wanted to buy, and I was usually the one kid who ended up having the most books stacked up on her desk. I have since lost my copy of this book but wanted to get another copy to keep in my collection.I found this book to be easy-reading and to be extremely funny, although it seemed to be slightly dated for being written in 1979. I would still give this book an A! I think that I have some of Mr. Howe's books from this series somewhere on my bookshelf.

Harold the dog and Chester the cat have very pleasant and normal lives until a new addition is brought home - a cute little black and white bunny that comes to be named Bunnicula. Immediately after the rabbit's arrival, strange things start happening in the house at night. Chester takes it upon himself to put a stop to the mysterious activities, and Harold recounts the tale from his doggy perspective. In the end, everybody lives happily ever after...almost.

Best vampire kid book ever!

Fun little book about a bunny who sucks the juice out of vegetables. He was found in a cinema and the story is told from the point of view of the nice loveable and friendly dog Harold and the typical arrogant intellectual cat Chester. Quick read, it is good fun :)

I probably haven't read this book since second grade, but my initial reaction to this book is still spot on. It's fabulous. Even as an adult I still laughed out loud. The scene where the cat, Chester, is trying to get rid of the vampire rabbit, Bunnicula, by "staking" him with a thawing steak is hilarious. I can just imagine that orange tabby covering the bunny with the steak and then hitting it repeatedly. Too funny. They don't make kid's classics like this anymore.For those of you unfortunate few who have never read this timeless tale... you're missing out. The story follows Harold and Chester, the pets of the Monroe family as they encounter a third pet to their household, a bunny named Bunnicula. The cat Chester is convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire because he sleeps all day, can't stand garlic, has fangs, and turns vegetable white by draining them. Harold the dog doesn't really care one way or another, but Chester is convinced they have to act... before it's too late.It's a funny and classic story. I will have to re-read the rest of these in the series.

When the Monroe family brings home a new rabbit as a pet, but with its suspicious sleep and eating habits, is this rabbit perhaps more than he seems?I bought this today as a gift for a young family member. She's into RL Stine books and I remembered reading this as a kid. I loved it at the time, so I couldn't resist buying it for her (I just hope she likes it, even though it's not as scary as Stine). After bringing the book home, I also couldn't resist rereading it while it was in front of me. Being a middle grade book, it took no time at all to read. I remember it being creepier when I read it and the story definitely stuck with me over the years. It wasn't overly scary and tends more toward the humorous, as it's told by a good hearted dog. Very cute and funny. It stood up surprisingly well after all these years.

Very cute story and nicely written. A great book for around Halloween. Very witty.

I remember reading this book when I was younger, and it was nice to connect with it again. There is so much evidence that Bunnicula is a vampire, but I agree with Harold--the extremities to which Chester just makes him out to be crazy because after all, Bunnicula never did harm anyone...just vegetables. That prompts the question then--was it all in Chester's head? Was Bunnicula just a cute little bunny that no one needed to worry about, or not? The ending doesn't support either answer, which I think is cool. I like that this book leaves you wondering, making the reader make up his own idea of how the story ends. After reading tons of simpler children's books, it's nice to see one that makes the reader think.

Since I've been on a relived childhood kick, I figured I'd pick up Bunnicula again. This was one of my favorite books growing up, and it holds up surprisingly well. While some books from childhood seem flat when you read them as an adult, this one does not. It's a testament to the writing of Deborah and James Howe.I love that the book is written from the perspective of Harold, the family dog, as he tells the tale of the new family pet, Bunnicula (a bunny found in a Dracula movie, hence the name) and the efforts of Chester, the cat, to reveal the potential sinister threat his family faces from this strange new house guest.It's a fun, quick read, with some wonderful illustrations by Alan Daniel.

This was one of my favorite books while growing up and it still remains one of my favorites after reading it again. I love the characters within the book because I relate them to the ones I have of my own. I think that every kid at some point wishes their animals were like chester and bunnicula in the book. I also love how they make bunnicula look terrifying as a bunny- vampire on the cover of the book, yet he really is just like a normal bunny. I would suggest this book for any young reader, it's a fun, easy to read book that will make you fall in love with the characters and wish you had a vampire bunny of your own

Great fun, especially when read out loud. The authors do an excellent job of portraying the two main characters. Those are two people who know the truth about cats and dogs!

A favorite book from my childhood. I loved reading it to my son.

A fun story, told by a dog, about a cat, a bunny and his human family. Scary? Only momentarily unsettling, but soon replaced by humor. I would read it to any child familiar with the Dracula tale, or vampires. Or perhaps it would be a good lead in to explaining those to a child, if you want to.The little biography at the end was moving and heart-felt. A touching tribute to Deborah Howe.

Rereading this, I was kind of surprised that it took me no time at all to get through. I remember reading it when I was little, and it felt like the biggest mystery ever. I used to get scared when Chester broke out the garlic, and Harold's infatuation with chocolate cupcakes mirrored my own. In fact, in my old tattered copy, I underlined every mention of chocolate cupcakes, cheese crackers, and sourball candies in bright pink marker. Apparently, I've always loved food in books.

Fun, hilarious, and unique.

Such a cute little story! Perfect for young readers who like a bit of a darker tale without being too scary. Can't wait to read the rest of the series with my son.

A spunky little tale of a vampire rabbit, as told by Harold, the Monroe family dog who lives with him. Yes, you heard me correctly, this particular rabbit is also a vampire! He sleeps all day (well, so do my own rabbits! LOL), and when he wakes at night he sneaks out of his cage and drains the juice from all the vegetables in the house. Bunnicula, thus named because he was found in a movie theater during a showing of Dracula, has already managed to endear himself to the whole family—Mom and Dad Monroe, kids Pete and Toby, and of course Harold the dog. Unfortunately, Chester the cat isn't quite warming up to the little guy, and he resolves to do his darnedest to prove the truth to the family: that this cute little bunny is actually a threat to their very existence. "Today vegetables... tomorrow the world!" Chester exclaims.This book is actually the first in what was later to become a successful children's series. Though it wasn't until after the death of Deborah, co-author of the husband/wife team, that the Bunnicula books were published. My friend Leilani sent me this book because it was about a bunny, and she knows how much I love bunnies, as well as paranormal books. It's very much a children's book, even more so than the Darren Shan books I think, but it was entertaining to me nonetheless, and the pictures that go along with the story were so adorable! I know this book can really be enjoyed by another bunny lover like myself so I have just the person in mind. Actually, I have more than a single person in mind, but alas, it is to my BookObsessed birthday partner to whom it's traveling next. As a quick, light read, I hope she's able to pick it up soon and enjoy it as much as I did. :)

Having come of age in the 60s, I didn’t get to grow up with Bunnicula. Which is a shame, because I would have loved it as a youngster. The story is told via a manuscript written by a dog, Harold. He and feline Chester live in the Monroe household peacefully, spending their time reading, eating, and napping. Then one night the family comes back from the movies having found a small rabbit abandoned in a seat. The odd creature sleeps all day and has markings on his back suggestive of a black cape. Then Chester-whose favorite reading material is horror stories- develops a creepy theory about Bunnicula… The book says the story is for those 8 to 12 years old; I think it would appeal to even the very young, while the writing is sophisticated enough for those older.

Started reading on 09/06/11 with the girl as her bedtime book. So far, she loves it! My mom read it to me when I was in elementary school.

***Finished on 09/14 - now on to The Howliday Inn!***

I thoroughly loved this book as a child. Bunnicula was my dream pet! This story is very well-written, well-suited to its intended demographic, and flat-out adorable.