Pat the Bunny

infobox Book |
name = Pat the Bunny
title_orig =
translator =


author = Dorothy Kunhardt
cover_artist =
country = USA
language = English
series =
genre = Children's story
publisher = Golden Books
release_date = 1940, re-issue May 1, 2001
media_type = Print paperback
pages = 20
isbn = ISBN 0-307-12000-7
preceded_by =
followed_by = Pat the Cat

"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 beard" 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. [cite web | author=Schiro, Anne-Marie| date= July 29, 1984| title= COMPANION FOR A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC | format= | work=New York Times| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E2DA1F39F93AA15754C0A962948260 | accessdate=2006-06-18] It was partly an experiment in using interactive elements in a book, which was unusual at the time. cite web | author=PHILIP B. KUNHARDT JR| date=1990-12-23| title= The Original Touchy-Feely: 'Pat the Bunny' Turns 50 | format= | work=New York Times| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DB1330F930A15751C1A966958260 | accessdate=2008-04-26]

Reception and legacy

Since publication, Pat the Bunny has sold over 7 million copies, making it the number 6 all- time bestselling children's hardcover book, according to Publishers Weekly. [cite web | author=| year=2006| title=Pat the Bunny | format= | work=Powell's Books | url=http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio/0307120007 | accessdate=2006-06-13] 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, [cite web | author=| year=2005| title=the story of pat the bunny | format= | work=Golden Books | url=http://www.randomhouse.com/golden/patthebunny/story.html | accessdate=2006-06-13] and the company DIC will create a TV series based on the book. [cite web | author=Mallory, Michael| date=January 1, 2001| title= Wild about Harry's pals Execs snap up magical, mystical tomes| format=| work= Variety.com | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=natpe2001&nav=family&head=family&content=story&articleid=VR1117791716 | accessdate=2006-06-13] [cite web | author=| month=July | year=2000| title= Licensing 2000: Not the Way We Were?| format= | work= Publishing Trends | url=http://publishingtrends.com/copy/00/07/0700licensing.htm | accessdate=2006-06-13] The book continues to be popular, appearing as eleventh best selling children's illustrated book for the week of June 15th, 2006. [cite web | author=| date= June 15, 2006| title= Bestseller List for June 15, 2006 | format= | work=Booksense Booksellers | url=http://www.bookweb.org/graphics/lists/20060615.html | accessdate=2006-06-13] Golden Press makes more than a quarter million copies a year. The book was endorsed by experts in child development for its "developmental features" and "sensory approach". [cite web | author= | year= | title= Pat the Bunny (Golden Touch and Feel Book) | format= | work= Hicklebees.com | url=http://hicklebees.booksense.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=0307120007 | accessdate=2006-06-13] In August 2004, Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts partnered to help promote the Pat the Bunny brand. [cite web | author=| date=2004-08-04| title= Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts Form Strategic Partnership to Develop Licensing Programs for Little Golden Books and Pat the Bunny| format= | work=PRWeb| url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb146162.htm | accessdate=2008-04-26] 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. [cite web | author=Ranny Levy| date=2008-02-19| title= Pat the Bunny Comes to DVD March 4 | format= | work=kidsfirst| url=http://www.kidsfirst.org/addenda/2008/01/pat-bunny-comes-to-dvd-march-4.html | accessdate=2008-04-26]

There have also been parodies of the book, such as "Pat the Politician" mocking contemporary political figures. [cite web | author=Anderson, Lessley | date=2004-07-24| title=Pat the Politician: A Political Pull and Poke Parody| format= | work=San Francisco Weekly| url=http://www.sfweekly.com/2004-07-28/culture/pat-the-politician-a-political-pull-and-poke-parody/ | accessdate=2008-04-26]

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. [cite web | author=Auerbach, Stevanne| year=1999| title=Golden Books| format= | work=Drtoy.com| url=http://www.drtoy.com/1999_c/golden-1.htm | accessdate=2006-06-18]

References