Rabbit Hill facts for kids
Book cover
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| Author | Robert Lawson |
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| Illustrator | Robert Lawson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | The Viking Press |
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Publication date
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1944 |
| Media type | Hardcover, paperback |
| Pages | 127 pp |
| Followed by | The Tough Winter |
Rabbit Hill is a wonderful children's novel written by Robert Lawson. It won the famous Newbery Medal in 1945. This award is given to the best American children's books each year.
Contents
Discovering Rabbit Hill's Story
The story of Rabbit Hill happens in the quiet countryside near Westport, Connecticut. The animals living there are having a tough time. The big house nearby has been empty for years. Its garden, which used to be a great source of food for them, has dried up.
Then, "New Folks" move into the house! The animals wonder: Will these new people be hunters? Or will they be kind gardeners who will help them find food again? The whole animal community waits to see what will happen next.
Animal Views on Human History
The book shares how human events, like wars, look from an animal's point of view. Old Uncle Analdas, a wise rabbit, tells stories passed down through his family. He talks about how human history has changed their lives.
Past Times and Changes
Uncle Analdas remembers stories about soldiers marching through their valley. They would roar, shoot, and burn houses. This meant very "Bad Times" for the animals. Food was scarce, and many homes were destroyed. But eventually, the soldiers left, and new people came.
Then, "Good Times" arrived. The valley filled with small mills and factories. Fields grew lots of wheat, potatoes, and onions. Wagons rumbled, spilling grain and hay. This was great for everyone, including the animals.
Cycles of Good and Bad Times
Later, young men marched off to war again, wearing blue uniforms. Most of them never came back. The old farms were left empty, and fields became overgrown. These were "Bad Times" once more.
But the animals, like Grandad and Granmammy, kept raising their young. They focused on their own lives. Soon, new people arrived again. New roads, houses, and schools appeared. Cars drove by. And just like that, it was "Good Times" once more. The book shows how animals see human history as a cycle of good and bad times. They learn to adapt and survive through it all.
Rabbit Hill on Screen
Little Georgie of Rabbit Hill was a television show. It was an adaptation of the book. This special episode aired in 1967 as part of NBC Children's Theatre.
