Bunnicula — Chapter 1

About This Passage

These two sentences are doing a lot of quiet work. The author calls the rabbit 'the little guy' instead of just 'the rabbit' — and that small choice already makes the rabbit feel like a person rather than an animal. Then the sentence tells us two reasons the little guy is shivering: fear AND cold. The author could have said only 'cold,' but adding 'fear' tells us the rabbit has feelings, not just a body. The second sentence shows the family's response — they will build a real house for him out of a crate. Copying these sentences teaches a writer how a small kind phrase ('the little guy') can change the way we see a creature, and how a family in a story can be shown to care by what they decide to do.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.

Discussion Questions

1. The story is told by Harold the dog. Right at the very beginning, Harold says 'I shall never forget the first time I laid these now tired old eyes on our visitor.' What does this tell us about who Harold is? Does Harold sound like an ordinary dog, or does he sound like someone special? What in the story makes you think so?
2. Toby and Pete fight about who found the rabbit and who gets to keep him in their room. Mr. Monroe finally decides the rabbit will live in the living room where everyone can see him. Was this a fair decision, or should Toby have gotten to keep the rabbit since he was the one who actually found him? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide