Pat the Bunny

Pat the Bunny is the first[1] "touch and feel" interactive children's book, written and illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt. Since its publication in 1940, it has been a perennial best-seller in the United States. Rather than follow a linear narrative, the book invites the reader to engage in tactile activities, such as patting the fake fur of a rabbit, feeling sandpaper that stands for "Daddy's scratchy face," trying on "Mummy's ring," reading a book within a book, playing peekaboo with a cloth, and gazing into a mirror.[2]

For the musician, see Pat the Bunny (musician).
Pat the Bunny
Original book cover
AuthorDorothy Kunhardt
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's story
PublisherGolden Books
Publication date
1940, re-issue May 1, 2001
Media typePrint paperback
Pages20
ISBN0-307-12000-7
OCLC7375218
Followed byPat the Cat 

It was written and illustrated by author Dorothy Kunhardt, who wrote Pat the Bunny for her three-year-old daughter Edith, who went on to become a children's writer herself.[3] The New York Times considered it the first interactive books ever written.[1]

Child development experts, such as pediatrician Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, recommend the book due to its "sensory approach."[4][5]

Reception and legacy

As of 2006, Pat the Bunny had sold over 6 million copies, making it the number-6 all-time bestselling children's hardcover book, according to Publishers Weekly.[6]

Kunhardt's daughter Edith Kunhardt Davis 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.[7]

In 2000, DIC Entertainment discussed creating a TV series based on the book.[8][9] The book continues to be popular, appearing as eleventh best selling children's illustrated book for the week of June 15, 2006.[10] Golden Press makes more than a quarter million copies a year.[1] In August 2004, Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts partnered to help promote the Pat the Bunny brand.[11] 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.[12] In 2011, Random House Children's Books released a ""pat the bunny"" app, inspired by the original book, for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch[13] which received critical acclaim.[14]

In a season 23 episode of Sesame Street, Lillias White read the book to a Baby Honker, when Benny Rabbit hops over, thinking that they're mentioning him as a bunny. The Baby Honker pets him, to which Lillias says "she's patting the Benny".

There have been parodies of the book also, such as Pat the Politician, mocking contemporary political figures,[15] and Pat the Yuppie, which includes activities like touching the sheepskin seatcovers of their new BMW and rubbing the exposed brick of their new condominium's wall.[16]

The proceeds from Pat the Bunny support I Am Your Child, a national public awareness campaign created by the Reiner Foundation to stress the importance of early brain development.[17]

References
  1. PHILIP B. KUNHARDT JR (1990-12-23). "The Original Touchy-Feely: 'Pat the Bunny' Turns 50". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  2. ToyBuzz (2020-09-03). "100+ Fun and Educational Books for 3 Year Olds 2021". Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  3. Schiro, Anne-Marie (July 29, 1984). "COMPANION FOR A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
  4. "Pat the Bunny (Golden Touch and Feel Book)". Hicklebees.com. Archived from the original on 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  5. "15 Easy Sensory Activities You Can Do At Home With Infants & Babies". Romper. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  6. "Pat the Bunny". Powell's Books. 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  7. "the story of pat the bunny". Golden Books. 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  8. Mallory, Michael (January 1, 2001). "Wild about Harry's pals Execs snap up magical, mystical tomes". Variety.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  9. "Licensing 2000: Not the Way We Were?". Publishing Trends. July 2000. Archived from the original on 2006-11-21. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  10. "Bestseller List for June 15, 2006". Booksense Booksellers. June 15, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  11. "Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts Form Strategic Partnership to Develop Licensing Programs for Little Golden Books and Pat the Bunny". PRWeb. 2004-08-04. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  12. Ranny Levy (2008-02-19). "Pat the Bunny Comes to DVD March 4". kidsfirst. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  13. "pat the bunny for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". iTunes. 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  14. "Review of Pat the Bunny by Random House Digital, Inc. on Appysmarts.com"
  15. Anderson, Lessley (2004-07-24). "Pat the Politician: A Political Pull and Poke Parody". San Francisco Weekly. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  16. Becker, J.; A. Mayer (1986). Pat the Yuppie. Perigee Trade (September 8, 1986). ISBN 0-399-51266-7.
  17. Auerbach, Stevanne (1999). "Golden Books". Drtoy.com. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
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