Mei Mei the Bunny

Musician Laufey makes a fitting picture book debut with this pleasant story of budding bunny violinist Mei Mei, who grapples with nerves as her first recital looms. Organized into orchestral movements, pages first establish Mei Mei’s musical passion and pre-performance jitters before segueing to grounding advice provided by the hare’s mother. Offering up nature-based metaphors that compare the orchestra to the ocean and the moon to a conductor, Mama dispenses solid reassurance: “If you make a mistake, take a deep breath and listen to the wind.” O’Hara’s dainty pencil and watercolor illustrations add a creaturely quaintness to the scenes: Mei Mei and family reside in a carrot-shaped home, and a varied cast of colorful critters fill the seats at the “H’Opera House.” When the curtain opens and the nervous performer’s “tiny fingers get all tangled up,” Mama’s advice comes to the rescue, yielding an affirming close. An author’s note and glossary of musical terms conclude. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)