Review: Again! Said Rabbit

 


A day out at the beach evokes a rainbow of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, urgency. How children compress, distil and then express these feelings is the subject of a jolly series of picture books ...! Said Rabbit by European author illustrator, Marjoke Henrichs. This one, Again! Said Rabbit stars the same little roguish Rabbit and his extremely patient and yielding parents. 

Like any self-respecting, ego-centric youngster, Rabbit loves being the centre of attention. He possesses big bold feelings and conveys them with equal fervour and assurity. Despite Mum and Dad's announcement that beach time is time to relax, games are immediately launched, kites are flown and sandcastles are constructed. Rabbit thrills from one high energy activity to the next crying out, 'Again!' to continue play. 

It's a refrain recognised worldwide by parents whose soul job it seems is to entertain and engage, incessantly. Until ... Dad needs a little lie down! To change it up, Mum suggests a dip in the sea but this is where things take another all too familiar turn. At first wave jumping is brimming with fun. Rabbit clutches both of his parents' hands. What could possibly go wrong? But as the intensity of the crashing waves break upon this still comparatively small rabbit, he counters mum and dad's, 'Again!' with 'No! Not again!'. With these simple words, we observe a mood shift and erosion of confidence in Rabbit. Nothing his parents suggest can entice him to resume play after fear and uncertainty paid him a quick visit.

Coincidentally, I have been in Rabbit's situation; dragged into crashing surf which as a four-year-old at the time felt like a tsunami. Those waves, that feeling of dread have hung around to this day. I'm not the best in the surf but love the beach nonetheless.

Again! Said Rabbit reminds us that at the end of the day, kids are just that, kids. No matter what they exclaim or how insistent they appear, fun and games are easily bruised by the unknown. Fortunately for Rabbit, lunch, distraction and creatures more persistent than he, aka gulls, soon restore confidence and happiness with a promise to do it all AGAIN tomorrow!

Surging with delightful colour laden loose-lined illustrations and bold, easy to read font, this series invites perspective, immediate understanding and plenty of recognisable joy. 

Title: Again! Said Rabbit
Author / Illustrator: Marjoke Henrichs
Publisher: NewSouth Books, Scallywag Press, $29.99
Publication Date: 4 June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781836300625
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: NewSouth Books

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