Pat the Bunny

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Pat the Bunny  
Original book cover
Author Dorothy Kunhardt
Country USA
Language English
Genre(s) Children's story
Publisher Golden Books
Publication date 1940, re-issue May 1, 2001
Media type Print paperback
Pages 20
ISBN 0-307-12000-7
OCLC Number 7375218
Followed by Pat the Cat

Pat the Bunny (officially styled as pat the bunny) is a "touch and feel" book for small children and babies that has been a perennial best-seller in the U.S. since publication in 1940. It is not a book in the traditional sense, but more a collection of things to do, such as pat the fake fur of a rabbit on one page, feel a bit of sandpaper that stands for "daddy's scratchy face" on another, and look in a mirror on yet another.

It was written by Dorothy Kunhardt, who was a successful children's author when she wrote Pat the Bunny for her 3-year-old daughter, Edith.[1] It was partly an experiment in using interactive elements in a book, which was unusual at the time. [2]

[edit] Reception and legacy

Since publication, Pat the Bunny has sold over 6 million copies, making it the number 6 all-time bestselling children's hardcover book, according to Publishers Weekly.[3] Edith Kunhardt wrote three companions: Pat the Cat in 1984, Pat the Puppy in 1991, and Pat the Pony in 1997. The publisher, Random House, has developed an entire line of related products,[4] and the company DIC will create a TV series based on the book.[5][6] The book continues to be popular, appearing as eleventh best selling children's illustrated book for the week of June 15th, 2006.[7] Golden Press makes more than a quarter million copies a year.[2] The book was endorsed by experts in child development for its "developmental features" and "sensory approach".[8] In August 2004, Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts partnered to help promote the Pat the Bunny brand.[9] On March 4, 2008, a DVD of the book was released with interactive materials included and an interview with Jean Kunhardt, the author's granddaughter.[10]

There have also been parodies of the book, such as Pat the Politician, mocking contemporary political figures[11] and Pat the Yuppie, which includes activities like touching the sheepskin seatcovers of their new BMW and rubbing the exposed brick of their new condominium's wall.[12]

The proceeds from Pat the Bunny supports I Am Your Child, a national public awareness campaign created by the Reiner Foundation to stress the importance of early brain development.[13]


[edit] References

  1. ^ Schiro, Anne-Marie (July 29, 1984). "COMPANION FOR A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E2DA1F39F93AA15754C0A962948260. Retrieved 2006-06-18. 
  2. ^ a b PHILIP B. KUNHARDT JR (1990-12-23). "The Original Touchy-Feely: 'Pat the Bunny' Turns 50". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DB1330F930A15751C1A966958260. Retrieved 2008-04-26. 
  3. ^ "Pat the Bunny". Powell's Books. 2006. http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio/0307120007. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  4. ^ "the story of pat the bunny". Golden Books. 2005. http://www.randomhouse.com/golden/patthebunny/story.html. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  5. ^ Mallory, Michael (January 1, 2001). "Wild about Harry's pals Execs snap up magical, mystical tomes". Variety.com. http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=natpe2001&nav=family&head=family&content=story&articleid=VR1117791716. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  6. ^ "Licensing 2000: Not the Way We Were?". Publishing Trends. July 2000. http://publishingtrends.com/copy/00/07/0700licensing.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  7. ^ "Bestseller List for June 15, 2006". Booksense Booksellers. June 15, 2006. http://www.bookweb.org/graphics/lists/20060615.html. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  8. ^ "Pat the Bunny (Golden Touch and Feel Book)". Hicklebees.com. http://hicklebees.booksense.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=0307120007. Retrieved 2006-06-13. 
  9. ^ "Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts Form Strategic Partnership to Develop Licensing Programs for Little Golden Books and Pat the Bunny". PRWeb. 2004-08-04. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb146162.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-26. 
  10. ^ Ranny Levy (2008-02-19). "Pat the Bunny Comes to DVD March 4". kidsfirst. http://www.kidsfirst.org/addenda/2008/01/pat-bunny-comes-to-dvd-march-4.html. Retrieved 2008-04-26. 
  11. ^ Anderson, Lessley (2004-07-24). "Pat the Politician: A Political Pull and Poke Parody". San Francisco Weekly. http://www.sfweekly.com/2004-07-28/culture/pat-the-politician-a-political-pull-and-poke-parody/. Retrieved 2008-04-26. 
  12. ^ Becker, J.; A. Mayer (1986). Pat the Yuppie. Perigee Trade (September 8, 1986). ISBN 0399512667. 
  13. ^ Auerbach, Stevanne (1999). "Golden Books". Drtoy.com. http://www.drtoy.com/1999_c/golden-1.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-18. 
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