The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde



Last updated Monday, September 30, 2019

Author: Shannon and Dean Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 0763665134
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2019

Synopsis: Princess Magnolia and her unicorn, Frimplepants, are on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort, an occasion Frimplepants enjoys more than anything in the world. But just when he can smell the freshly baked bread and the heaping platters of sugar-dusted doughnuts, Princess Magnolia’s glitter-stone ring rings. The monster alarm! After a quick change in the secret cave, Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants are transformed into the Princess in Black and her faithful pony, Blacky. But when they get to the goat pasture, all they can see is a field full of darling little bunnies nibbling on grass, twitching their velvet noses, and wiggling their fluffy tails. Where are the monsters? Are these bunnies as innocent as they appear?

Note to readers:
•  Emphasize that this is a "super hero story" and make sure that they know the main character is a girl.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you like super hero stories? This is one where the hero is a heroine, a girl. Who is your favorite superhero hero/heroine?
•  What are some of your favorite superhero stories?

Vocabulary

•  brunch - a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.
•  horde - a large group of people.
•  relish (p. 26) - great enjoyment.
•  spattered - cover with drops or spots of something.
•  nibbling - eating in small amounts, especially between meals.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you ever go to brunch on special occasions, like Mother's Day and Easter Sunday? What type of brunch food do you like?
•  Why was Duff so upset about the bunnies? What kind of strange things did they eat? Do you know any animals that eat strange things?
•  What language do the bunnies speak? Who is able to communicate with the bunnies?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a mask or draw a picture of your favorite superhero or create one of your one.
•  Draw a picture of a monster like the bunnies. Make it big or small.
•  Make a monster mask using a paper plate or make a super hero mask like the one the Princess in Black wears.
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/october-2019/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!