About the Holiday
On this day we celebrate Easter and the renewal it brings. On this day, Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in fulfillment of God’s promise. Spring is also just around the corner and new life is beginning. As the sun rises on warmer days, be inspired to discover new happiness.
Bunny Finds Easter
Written by Laura Sassi | Illustrated by Ela Jarzabek
Bunny wakes up on a sunny Easter day ready to celebrate. But she wonders – “‘What is Easter?'” She begins to see the signs of Easter when she goes into the kitchen for breakfast and her mom brings a plate piled with hot cross buns to the table. Then “Ma sets out eggs to decorate. / Soon festive colors fill the plate.”
Image copyright Ela Jarzabek, 2022, text copyright Laura Sassi, 2022. Courtesy of Zonderkidz.
Bunny gets dressed to go into town and puts on her “…brand-new bonnet! Bunny LOVES the ribbons on it.” She picks a bouquet of lilies and goes on her way, seeing springtime babies all around. As her family approaches the church, she joins an Easter egg hunt on the lawn and shares the treats she finds with those who aren’t having much luck.
Now it’s time to go to church. They sing “the Easter news,” and then the preacher asks, “‘Who died to take our sins away? And rose again on Easter Day?'” Bunny smiles and her eyes grow bright. “Deep inside her spirit glows.” Then “‘Jesus!’ Bunny sings it out.” / “‘He’s what Easter’s all about.'”
Image copyright Ela Jarzabek, 2022, text copyright Laura Sassi, 2022. Courtesy of Zonderkidz.
Laura Sassi’s joyful story about the traditions and meanings of Easter is an uplifting and meaningful way to get little ones excited for the holiday and all of the changes spring brings. Her focus on the true meaning of Easter will enchant kids and gives Christian parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, and other caregivers a poignant starting point for more detailed discussions about their faith.
Ela Jarzabek’s bright and sunny illustrations are as fresh as springtime and will charm little ones, for whom the renewal of spring is a wonder. Her little Bunny is adorable with a smiling, expectant face that depicts the excitement kids feel for the fun Easter holiday traditions like dying eggs, Easter egg hunts, and special new outfits. Jarzabek’s images inside the church are especially joyous as Bunny and her family, along with the rest of the congregation – which includes other children – listen to the preacher and sing favorite Easter hymns. She perfectly captures the awe heart-filling faith of little ones in Bunny’s expressions, and a final group picture invites readers to celebrate Easter with them.
Bunny Finds Easter is a must addition to Christian home libraries for the youngest readers as well as for church libraries and board book collections at public libraries.
Ages Baby – 4
Zonderkidz, 2022 | ISBN 978-0310734192
Discover more about Laura Sassi and her books on her website.
You can connect with Ela Jarzabek on Instagram.
Spend some time on Easter morning as Bunny finds Easter in this book trailer!
Get Ready for Easter Activity
Adorable Bunny Jar
A little bit of candy makes Easter or any spring day sweeter! With this Sweet Bunny Candy Jar, you can give a child, a friend, or even yourself a special treat that will make you hoppy!
Supplies
- Printable Hat Rim and Bunny Ears Template
- Baby food jar (I used a Beech-Nut Naturals jar)
- White fleece, 8 ½ inches by 11 inches
- 1 piece of purple foam (Or any color you’d like to make the hat)
- Small piece of pink foam or felt for nose
- Googly eyes (I used oval)
- Medium pom-pom
- Multi-surface paint, purple (or whatever color you’d like to make the hat)
- Fabric glue (I used Fabric-Tac)
- Black ultra-fine or fine tip permanent marker
- Large nail or ice pick
- Hammer
- Scissors
Directions
- Remove label from baby food jar
- Clean and dry jar and lid
- Trace the hat rim template onto the purple foam
- Cut out the rim of the hat and remove the center
- Trace the ears template onto the white fleece and cut out
To Make the Body and Face
- Cut a 2-inch wide by 7-inch long strip of white fleece
- Glue the strip of fleece to the jar under the lip and leaving about ½ inch of glass showing at the bottom
- Glue on the googly eyes
- Cut a little nose from the pink foam and glue to the face
- Make the mouth with the permanent marker on a little piece of fleece, cut out and glue under the nose
To Make the Hat
- Paint the lid with the purple paint. Let dry.
- With the nail or ice pick and hammer, make a hole on either side of the lid to insert the ears. You can make the hole a little bigger with a phillips head screwdriver
- Flip the lid over and hammer the edges of the hole flat
- Trace the hat rim template onto the purple foam
To Insert the Ears
- Pinch the end of one ear together and push it through one hole in the lid.
- Pull it through the hole a bit to form the ear
- Repeat with the other ear
Finish the Bunny
- Add the foam rim to the lid
- Glue the pom-pom to the back of the jar for the tail
- Add M&Ms, jelly beans, or other small candy
- After Easter, you can use your Bunny Jar to store other small items
Goodreads Giveaway
If you’d like a chance to win a copy of Bunny Finds Easter, head over to this Giveaway on Goodreads!
Bunny Finds Easter Goodreads Giveaway
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