Pat the Bunny

Pat the Bunny is a "touch and feel" book for small children and babies and has been a perennial best-seller in the United States since its publication in 1940. It is not a book in the traditional sense, but more a collection of things to do, such as pat the fake fur of a rabbit on one page, feel a bit of sandpaper that stands for "daddy's scratchy face" on another, and look in a mirror on yet another.

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 Dorothy Kunhardt, who was a successful children's author when she created Pat the Bunny for her 3-year-old daughter, Edith.[1] It was partly an experiment in using interactive elements in a book, which was unusual at the time.[2]

Reception and legacy

Since its publication, Pat the Bunny has sold over 6 million copies, making it the number-6 all-time bestselling children's hardcover book, according to Publishers Weekly.[3] Edith Kunhardt 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,[4] and the company DIC in 2000 discussed creating a TV series based on the book.[5][6] The book continues to be popular, appearing as eleventh best selling children's illustrated book for the week of June 15, 2006.[7] Golden Press makes more than a quarter million copies a year.[2] The book was endorsed by experts in child development for its "developmental features" and "sensory approach".[8] In August 2004, Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts partnered to help promote the Pat the Bunny brand.[9] 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.[10] In 2011, Random House Children's Books released a ""pat the bunny"" app, inspired by the original book, for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch[11] which received critical acclaim.[12]

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 Lillian says "she's patting the Benny".

There have been parodies of the book also, such as Pat the Politician, mocking contemporary political figures,[13] 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.[14]

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.[15]

References
  1. Schiro, Anne-Marie (July 29, 1984). "COMPANION FOR A CHILDREN'S CLASSIC". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
  2. PHILIP B. KUNHARDT JR (1990-12-23). "The Original Touchy-Feely: 'Pat the Bunny' Turns 50". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  3. "Pat the Bunny". Powell's Books. 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  4. "the story of pat the bunny". Golden Books. 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  5. 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.
  6. "Licensing 2000: Not the Way We Were?". Publishing Trends. July 2000. Archived from the original on 2006-11-21. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  7. "Bestseller List for June 15, 2006". Booksense Booksellers. June 15, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  8. "Pat the Bunny (Golden Touch and Feel Book)". Hicklebees.com. Archived from the original on 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
  9. "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.
  10. Ranny Levy (2008-02-19). "Pat the Bunny Comes to DVD March 4". kidsfirst. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  11. "pat the bunny for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". iTunes. 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  12. "Review of Pat the Bunny by Random House Digital, Inc. on Appysmarts.com"
  13. Anderson, Lessley (2004-07-24). "Pat the Politician: A Political Pull and Poke Parody". San Francisco Weekly. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  14. Becker, J.; A. Mayer (1986). Pat the Yuppie. Perigee Trade (September 8, 1986). ISBN 0-399-51266-7.
  15. Auerbach, Stevanne (1999). "Golden Books". Drtoy.com. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
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