Old Man Rabbit's Dinner Party 
based on the original story by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, edited by Nova Nestrick, illustrated by Robinson and Bonnie & Bill Rutherford/ published 1961 by Platt & Munk
Not sure what the deal is with Old Man and all his editors and stuff, but I received it I believe in my Easter basket when I was wee (or maybe it was a giveaway at Judy’s). This particular copy however was extracted from my father-in-law's home... it being only one of the two children's books he keeps under his roof. Last week, I was sitting opposite from him as he was holding my son and he started reading it to him and without even seeing it, as soon as I heard the first few lines, I knew exactly what it was. Weird being that I haven't seen or read that book since I was, oh about 7.
Old Man Rabbit said to himself, I have lots of food. I will give a dinner party for all my friends. They will help me eat the food.
I'm not sure why, but I remember being slightly obsessed with this book. The kind old rabbit, collecting the food in the dead of winter and then sharing it with all his creature friends. I guess it was something about the illustrations or maybe that I was curious about wild animals actually having to fend for themselves.
My son digs this one. It has his two favorite things in it. Animals and a picnic.
My grandparents read this book to my cousins and I. We absolutely LOVED it! When my grandmother passed last year, the grandkids drew straws to see who would get the copy.
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