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Paperback edition coming September 23, 2025. Pre-order today!By:Elaine Dimopoulos / Illustrated by:Doug SalatiHow could a single storyteller ever compete with the magic of a performance?After their remarkable rescue, the meadow creatures are backnow closer
By:Elaine Dimopoulos / Illustrated by:Doug Salati
After their remarkable rescue, the meadow creatures are backnow closer than ever and with beloved rabbit Butternut still captivating them all with her storytelling. But when a dazzling group of traveling turkeys shows up and persuades the meadow creatures to join them in putting on performance, Butternut is not sure she can find her place in all the excitement. She questions her storytelling abilities compared to this new crew. When it turns out the turkeysand the grand showare not what they seem, Butternut’s family and friends are suddenly in imminent danger. Butternut must figure out how to trust herself and find help. In the end, the hope is that friendship will win once more.
Beautiful and arresting black-and-white illustrations bring the animals to life in this heartwarming story about trust: trusting our instincts, trusting our creative talents, and trusting those who know and love us, even when its hard.
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The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow
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Elaine Dimopoulos, author
Elaine Dimopoulos holds an MFA in Writing from the Simmons University Center for the Study of Childrens Literature where she is now faculty. Elaine has received the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence Award and was named a St. Botolph Club Emerging Artist. She is the author of Material Girls and Turn the Tide. Elaine lives in Belmont, MA.
Read more about Elaine.
Doug Salati, illustrator
Doug Salati is the illustrator of several books for children, including Pip and Zip and Lawrence in the Fall. He is also the Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator of the picture book Hot Dog.
Read more aboutDoug.
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Lovable lagomorph and remarkable raconteur Butternut details how the denizens of Milkweed Meadow narrowly missed a night of terror.
I know youre here for the story of the fearsome fire in the oak forest. As in The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow (2023), Butternut immediately hooks readers. She then weaves a spellbinding tale that includes animal characters as well as Thalia, the little female human whos secretly friends with Butternut. An acting troupe of wild turkeysled by the eloquent Monty, who speaks in a Shakespearean cadencehave come to invite the meadow animals to take part in their summer show. Unfortunately, Butternuts the only auditioning rabbit from her colony not to be cast. While she deals with disappointment, other developments arise. Will the blue jays let the turkeys use their eggs as props in the show? Why is that young gobbler Franklin so bad-tempered? Should the local rabbits, birds, and frogs be concerned about a circling hawk and a hovering raccoon? Are humans trustworthy? Suspense builds to a narrowly averted crisis thats much darker than in the previous tale, but alls well that ends well. Dimopoulos is as gifted a storyteller as her endearing hero, and she deftly folds in alliteration, theater terms, nature facts, and sparkling humor. Butternuts musings and observations are thought provoking and perceptive. Thalia appears light-skinned in Salatis delightful spot art.
Whimsical, witty, wise.
Booklist
Following the harrowing events of The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow (2023), young bunny Butternut is a renowned storyteller and respected resident of the expanded natural community, but shes also harboring a secret: a burgeoning friendship with the human girl from the nearby house. Though many rules have changed to accommodate interspecies relationships, contact with potentially dangerous humans is still forbidden. Life is further complicated when a theater troupe of traveling turkeys arrives, taps the residents of Milkweed Meadow to take part in the performance, and deems Butternut unworthy of the stage. Stripped of the spotlight, Butternut must contend with new jealousies while unraveling the mystery behind the turkeys intentions and stop their foul plot. Its a joy to re-enter the rabbit warren and watch the brilliant Butternut manage insecurities and expectations while learning to listen to her intuition. New compelling characters are seamlessly integrated, and though there are dark implications of terrible danger, the dear friendships, familial bonds, and humorous asides lighten the proceedings. A stellar sequel that expertly expands the wonderful world of Milkweed Meadow.
Children’s Literature
Scurry into Milkweed Meadow with the rabbits, squirrels, and birds in this quaint, fiction novel and sequel. Young Butternut rabbit and her best friend Piper the robin are back for an adventure surrounding the mystery of the forest fire. Butternut explains the story in the first person point of view recounting the events of the previous three weeks. The meadow animals enjoy their usual routine of community and fellowship. The animals rejoice when the blue jays announce their happy nest of eggs. Everyone loves Butternuts captivating stories. The birds team up to warn the rabbits and squirrels of the dangerous hawk spotted flying circles around the meadow. The community works together and lives in special harmony. Butternut also enjoys a special friendship with Thalia, the human girl from the house near the meadow. Bold, traveling turkeys bombard the meadow community with a theater performance and an invitation to audition for a summer performance. Butternut perseveres as her confidence is shaken and her story-telling identity is questioned. Piper and Butternut team up to learn more about the turkeys and their purpose. The writing personifies the character of each animal in an enjoyable manner. The dynamics between the animals and the emotions surrounding each animal are well crafted. Detailed illustrations support the big moments of the text and are mixed in throughout the novel. The chapters are divided logically conveying an easy to read flow in the story. Highly recommend for a novel study for elementary students and for individual student reading.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-427-0
Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-62354-611-3
Ages: 8-11
Page count:208
51/2x 81/4
On sale date: May 21, 2024
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