This wasn’t part of the plan.
As of 8 am, Wednesday morning, May 27, 2020, I was sure I knew what my second children’s book was going to be. I had been working on it. I loved it. But then a New England cottontail rabbit showed up with a different idea and didn’t leave until I understood it. It took a while, but both Laura and my brother Peter (illustrator and book designer, respectively) agreed with the rabbit. So I changed my mind about book #2.
I’m so glad I did. .
New England cottontail rabbits are State Endangered in Maine
Found only in a handful of communities in Cumberland and York Counties, I am lucky to live in an area that they still inhabit. That said, it’s very unusual to see one. They live in thick shrublands and young forest, rarely coming out more than 10-15 feet from cover, even when foraging for food. This is in stark contrast to Eastern cottontails, a species common across much of the United States and Canada, and readily seen hopping around and munching in yards and gardens.
Stuffed cottontails and note cards
The website store at Malibu Maine has the new book, book bundles, cottontail stuffies, note cards and more! Please visit store.malibumaine.com if you’d like to shop!