Friday Book Review: Emma Bean

"Once there was a rabbit and she had a girl.

The girl's name was Molly.
The rabbit was Emma Bean."

So begins the lovely 40 page book by Jean Van Leeuwen called, "Emma Bean". This book is not listed in the Waldorf bookshops, but I really feel it would be a good fit there. Waldorf parents, as well as crafty parents would certainly appreciate the subtle statement of this sweet book.

Emma Bean, told from the perspective of the rabbit, is the story of a little rabbit who is lovingly hand made on a summer night, using scraps of old clothing, stuffing made out of rags, and black buttons for eyes. The picture on the opposite page is of the rabbit being cuddled by the woman who made her, while she sits in a rocking chair with the French doors open, letting in the soft summer night air. Together they rock and they wait...

The next thing Emma Bean knows, she is placed inside a box and is taken somewhere where she hears the loud sound of a baby crying. The lid is removed and Emma Bean is taken out and placed next to a little baby. This is how she meets "Molly".

As the story unfolds, Molly grows with Emma Bean, her most favorite and beloved toy. She gets dragged on play dates, covered in food, thrown in the air, and goes on every adventure with Molly. Wherever Molly goes, Emma Bean goes too.

When Molly turns five, she goes to school and takes Emma Bean with her. By this time Emma Bean is tattered and worn. When Molly's grandmother comes to visit, Molly asks her grandmother if she could stitch up Emma Bean's torn elbow. Grandmother starts to stitch and snip...all the while, her hands feeling familiar to Emma Bean and we realized that Grandmother was the one who made precious Emma Bean for her beloved granddaughter.

When Grandmother comments how worn she is and what should they do with her? Molly tells her she loves her just the way she is and that she will keep her forever.

"Once there was a rabbit and she had a girl.

The girl's name was Molly.

The rabbit was Emma Bean."

I always cry when I read this book to the girls. This book is currently out of print, but it is so beautiful and sweet, that I highly recommend it, if you can get a used copy or one from the library. We read it this week because we are learning the "E" vowel. I ended up buying a used copy for my sister's birthday last year because she had a special bunny stuffed animal that was her very favorite, all worn and tattered and like Molly, my sister loved her bunny (Laura) to pieces. She loves the book, too.

What makes this book so extra special is that Emma Bean was handmade by Molly's grandmother. It is simple - there is not a barrage of toys, just Emma Bean and the adventures Molly has are ones that just about every child can relate to and ones that make a mother smile. Reading this book makes me smile every time. This one is just a gem...