Twitchy, a soft white rabbit, is startled to discover the reason his parents don't hop like he does: they aren't his Bunnymom and his Bunnypop, but his adoptive parents. As he munches on a carrot and tries not to look too worried, he listens as his mother, Milfoil and Sedge, a cow and a horse, explain how he came to live with them. Confused and frightened, Twitchy runs away. When Mifoil and Sedge find him, he's tried to change his appearance to match theirs, rolling down his ears, smearing his fur with mud, and adding a twig tail. After some kisses and comforting, Twitchy is assured that they are a family after all. Folksy artwork of a bonnet-wearing cow and a horse who sports a bandana are rendered in bright colors with some scratchy texturing. An easy and comforting look at a different kind of family. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Families truly do come in all sizes, colors-and even species-according to this tender picture book about adoption from a British team. Twitchy, a young rabbit, wonders why Mom and Pop don't hop the way he does. Mom and Pop, who happen to be a cow and a horse, respectively, begin an honest, gentle explanation, which includes how they happily took over the special responsibility of loving and caring for Twitchy when his Bunnymom and Bunnypop could not. Initially hurt and confused, Twitchy wrestles with issues of appearance until he realizes that love, not physical resemblance, make his four-legged parents "real." Gray (Eat Your Peas) deftly balances emotions in this entertaining and ultimately reassuring story. Many adoptive families, especially, will appreciate that he presents authentic childhood concerns about a sometimes difficult-to-approach topic without using a heavy hand (the author also focuses on the important similarities: "I see two great big kind smiles that always make me feel happy," Twitchy tells his parents as he looks at the trio's reflection in a pond). McQuillan (who teamed with Gray for The Get Well Soon Book), lends a sense of movement to her sunny paintings with very deliberate brushstrokes, lines and dabs that create appealing textures, and make her charming animal portraits and pastoral scenes pop. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

After Twitchy the rabbit asks his parents why they don't hop like he does, they explain to him about his adoption (without actually using that word). They are his real parents, Mom and Pop assure him, even though they're a cow and a horse. The textured, slightly goofy paintings add humor, but the story strains too hard to accomplish its well-intentioned goal. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 1-Twitchy the rabbit asks his parents why they don't hop like he does. They explain that even though they live in a burrow (an old train tunnel) and eat carrots (to help them see in the dark), they aren't his Bunnymom and Bunnypop. Twitchy's adopted mother is a cow, and his adopted father is a horse. The youngster is so upset when he hears this that he runs away from home. Milfoil and Sedge search everywhere but then head for home with heavy hearts. When they hear a voice, they gallop to the train tunnel to find Twitchy sitting by the entrance, covered in mud with his ears rolled up and secured by clothespins and a twig tied onto his tail. He tells them: "I can change. I promise I can change. I can be a cow or a horse. But please be my real mom and pop." Milfoil and Sedge assure him that they are his parents and love him and that they don't want him to change. Pastel-colored illustrations invoke a feeling of calm and tranquility. This touching story will amuse readers as they, along with Twitchy, discover that being in a family is about love and acceptance.-Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.