Ben and the Carrot Predicament

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Ben is shocked to discover that he has grown whiskers and rabbit ears
overnight. His Mom has been putting carrots in almost everything they
eat since she started a new diet two months ago. Could it be that eating
all those carrots has turned him into a rabbit? Ben manages to keep his
rabbit ears a secret but has no luck in making them disappear. It is
only after he stops eating carrots that the predicament is resolved as
mysteriously as it began. The only problem now is that he spots the
beginnings of whiskers and ears sprouting on his mother.

This immensely enjoyable chapter book scores high on humor and fun. The
author has a talent for creating both visual comedy (with a few
well-chosen words) and naturally flowing conversation. She also has a
perfect sense of what children find funny (e.g., the super hero who
knocks out bad guys with one whiff of his arm pit). Although it is
intended for readers in Grades 4 and 5, the nicely spaced text and
appealing full-page illustrations invites beginning independent readers
in Grades 2 and 3. A teacher’s guide is available. Recommended.