Molly the Artsy Corgi and I would like to welcome back children’s author, Laura Sassi. Bunny, the main character in Laura’s new board book, Bunny Finds Easter, has also come along to help answer some questions and show you a cute craft.
Laura, let’s let Molly and Bunny talk a little and show the craft, and then you and I can finish up the interview.
Molly: I love your Easter hat, Bunny. Did you pick out the ribbon and flowers?
Bunny: Yes, and I wanted the ribbon to go under my chin so it would stay on. My favorite part, though, is that there are two holes for my ears.
Molly: Oh, wow, my ears aren’t as long as yours, but I need a hat like that, too! Tell me, Bunny, do bunnies really like carrots?
Bunny: Of course! They are crunchy and colorful and full of vitamins!
Molly: I like the crunchy part best! I’ve never been on an Easter egg hunt, Bunny, but I think I’d be really good because of my super powerful nose. Would you please tell our readers what you do on an egg hunt.
Bunny: It’s just like it sounds. An Easter egg hunt is when you go on a hunt and look for eggs! Sometimes the eggs are real eggs- but colored. Other times the eggs have surprises inside them like chocolate and jelly beans!
Molly: That sounds fun and yummy. I want to have an egg hunt this Easter! What other things do you do on Easter?
Bunny: At our house, we bake Easter treats like hot cross buns and we decorate Easter eggs. We also get dressed up and hop to church! Can you spot the church? (HINT: It’s on the cover of the book.)
Molly: I did see the church. It’s very pretty. I really like Ella’s illustrations. They make me want to jump into your story and go to church with you! Everything sounds like so much fun, but when did you find out that Easter is really all about Jesus and His resurrection?
Bunny: I learned about Jesus and His resurrection at church. And do you know when I first heard the good news of Easter? It was when we were singing! Singing hymns is a great way to learn about Jesus and His gift of forgiveness and new life.
Molly: Singing is a wonderful way to learn about Jesus. Let’s show children another super cute way to learn about Jesus and His resurrection!
Bunny: That’s sound like a hopping fun idea!
Supplies and Directions for Bunny Craft
Supplies:
- small flower pot
- pink acrylic paint
- cardstock or art foam in pinks and flowery colors
- Wiggly eyes
- Pink pompom
- Glue gun, markers
Here are the directions:
- Paint the flower pot pink
- Draw and cut out ears, flowers, and a bow
- Tuck ears into flower pot , add flowers to the rim, and glue in place
- Draw mouth with marker
- Glue eyes and pompom nose in place (get help from parents or grandparents to use a glue gun)
- Fill with plastic Easter eggs. Some of these could contain jelly beans but others may contain paper slips with written items to teach about Jesus and Easter or the items from Resurrection eggs.
Molly: Do you think it looks a little like you, Bunny?
Bunny: Yes, in PINK!
Kathy: while Molly and Bunny munch on a few jelly beans, can you tell us where you got the idea for Bunny Finds Easter, Laura?
Laura: As a young child I was confused about what we were celebrating at Easter. I loved coloring Easter eggs and hunting for jelly beans, but it wasn’t until I was a tween that I made the connection that Easter is when we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. Inspired by that memory, I decided to write a board book for preschoolers and toddlers that would celebrate those fun Easter traditions and, at the same time, serve as an introduction to the real gift of Easter – Jesus! I decided that an engaging way to do this was through the eyes of a sweet bouncy protagonist named Bunny who wakes up Easter morning determined find out what Easter is all about.
Kathy: What a wonderful way to help little ones learn about Easter! Molly and I love to snuggle to read cute board books and look at the pictures together. Do you have some suggestions for how parents and grandparents can use Bunny Finds Easter to tell children about Jesus and His resurrection?
Laura: Yes. First of all just enjoy the story with your little ones. Sniff along with Bunny as she sniffs those hot cross buns and hunt for the fun things she encounters along the way – like Easter lilies and baby animals and colorful eggs and Easter candies.
- As you are reading, after thoroughly investigating each spread, ask your child, “Are these (insert items) what Easter is all about? The answer is no, but maybe they are a clue as to what Easter is all about.
- When you reach that final spread, celebrate together that JESUS is what Easter is all about. Maybe even say his name together and rejoice that He is Risen!
- Afterwards, you can review the message of the story by re-examining the items found in the story to see how each reminds us of Easter and God’s love. Examples: Chocolate bunnies and jelly beans are sweet – like God. The cross on the hot-cross bun is like the Cross at Easter. The Easter bonnet – is joyful – just the way we feel on Easter as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection…and so forth.
Kathy: Molly and I love those ideas! Where can our readers find Bunny Finds Easter?
Laura: The book is available at bookstores everywhere. If your local indie doesn’t yet have it, you can request it. I would also LOVE it if you recommended it for purchase at your church or preschool library, as well as your town library. That way it can serve as an engaging introduction to Easter to even more children.
Thank you, Laura and Bunny for visiting our blog today to tell us all about your newest book, Bunny Finds Easter!
Have a joyful Easter Everyone! 
Kathy, The Picture Lady 