Nancy Furstinger is the author of nearly 100 books, including another Gryphon title Maggie's Second Chance. She started her writing career in third grade, when a play she wrote was performed by her class. Since then, Nancy has been a feature writer for a daily newspaper, a managing editor of trade and consumer magazines, and an editor at two children's book publishing houses. She shares her home with rescued dogs and house rabbits(including Marshmallow--the real forgotten rabbit), and volunteers and fosters pets for several animal organizations.
Nancy Lane has blended her passions for animals, children,
drawing and reading into a career as a picture book illustrator.
She has illustrated 27 books in 25 years, including the Gryphon
titles A Home for Dakota, Call the Horse Lucky, and KoKoCat, Inside
and Out. She enjoys painting outdoors and teaching art workshops.
She holds a BFA in Illustration from Maryland Institute, College of
Art. She is the mother of two grown children, and lives with her
writer-husband and two rescued German Shepherds in a log home
nestled in the wooded hills of New York's Finger Lakes
region.
"A true success story. I just loved it. The Forgotten Rabbit will
not be forgotten!"
--Amy Sedaris, proud rabbit rescue owner for over 20 years "The
Forgotten Rabbit is a must read for all children. The story of
a
rabbit who was purchased as an 'impulse pet' and later forgotten
and neglected until he was rescued by someone who gave her a
forever home and showed her the meaning of love. The lesson
couldn't be more important, and the story couldn't be sweeter."
-- Margo DeMello, President, House Rabbit Society THE ST. PAUL
PIONEER PRESS, review, Mary Ann Grossman (4/4/14): "If your child
begs for a cute bunny as an Easter gift, read him or her "The
Forgotten Rabbit," a beautifully illustrated story about what
happens to a rabbit that's taken on impulse: The boy and the girl
giggled when I hopped into a basket/and cracked the colorful eggs.
At first Bunny has a good time: But as spring changed into summer,
/they left me in my cage longer and longer... When my cage started
to smell, /they put it in the backyard. I circled my cage while the
children played. Eventually the shivering, hungry rabbit is given
to Rosalita, who names her Bella: She whispered in my ear ... that
I would never be caged outside again. Girl and rabbit bond during
agility exercises and Bella leaps for joy at having a forever home.
"The Forgotten Rabbit" ($16.95) is published by Edina-based Gryphon
Press, award-winning publisher of children's picture books that
explore the human-animal connection. The author, Nancy Furstinger,
shares her home in New York state with rescued dogs and house
rabbits including Marshmallow, the model for artist Nancy Lane's
cover art. Like other Gryphon Press books, "The Forgotten Rabbit"
tells a story that ends happily while gently conveying a message
about the right way to care for a pet."
KIRKUS REVIEW "Bella the rabbit narrates this earnest story about
caring for pet rabbits in the home. Bella was born in a barn on a
farm, part of a huge family of bunnies. The farmer sells the baby
bunnies to a pet store, where a brother and sister choose Bella as
an Easter present. The children play with Bella at first, but then
they lose interest in her, and her cage is left outside without
adequate food or water. Another girl, Rosalita, rescues Bella and
takes her to a much better life in her house. Rosalita quickly wins
Bella's affection and then teaches her how to use play equipment in
a rabbit-sized obstacle course. They go on to participate in a
competition course with other rabbits, and Bella wins a ribbon for
her performance. Though Bella's transformation from nervous victim
to confident performer is unrealistically fast, her story is
touching and draws attention to the plight of unwanted pets
purchased without adequate planning and preparation. Pleasant
illustrations in candy-bright colors make Bella an appealing
character, though she sometimes seems more like a toy bunny than a
real rabbit. An author's note gives more information about pet
house rabbits and lists additional resources. Wearing its heart on
its sleeve, this story has a mission, but it's a worthy
one."(Informational picture book. 4-8)
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