Oh, Carrots!

By Author / Illustrator

Mariajo Ilustrajo

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Frances Lincoln Children's Books

ISBN

9781836004998

Format

Hardback

Published

03-04-2025

Synopsis

From the award-winning creator of I Love Books comes a humorous and heartfelt tale about the value of kindness and the magic of making new friends. Oh, Carrots! is the perfect choice for young children as they begin to navigate their first friendships.

Mr Rabbit lives alone, and do you know what? He likes it! He enjoys peaceful moments spent reading, drinking cups of tea, and gardening - but sometimes it can get a little too quiet . . . Luckily, Spring has arrived, and that means Mr Rabbit can plant his favourite vegetable - carrots!

With some love,sunshine, and a little bit of singing, the carrots begin to grow. But one day, Mr Rabbit spots something unusual - a wiggling carrot top! He pulls and pulls, and out pops a walking, talking carrot. Carrot only wants to be Mr Rabbit's friend, but Mr Rabbit just wants to be left alone! From leaving soil all over the sofa to rummaging through Mr Rabbit's books, Carrot's mischievous antics leave the solitary rabbit feeling a bit irritated.

Yet, as the day unfolds, Mr Rabbit finds himself starting to enjoy the company. He's so used to being all alone that he's never even considered having a friend. Maybe now is the perfect time for that to change...

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Reviews

Maria

"This book is SO funny, can you read it again please?" A very positive review from a class of six and seven-year-olds, who laughed and gasped when listening to Oh, Carrots!

Mr Rabbit lives quietly, reading and looking after his plants but feeling very lonely through the winter, until Spring arrives and he is able to plant his carrot seeds. Mr Rabbit is caring and careful and through the beautiful illustrations, we see him watering, singing and caring for his seeds until one morning, he decides to take a look at one of his growing vegetables.

He pulls and pulls until he discovers a mischievous talking carrot who follows him, wanting to be friends. Together Carrot and Mr Rabbit explore and discover other new friends, and Mr Rabbit learns an important lesson - that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

This book is quirky and unusual but heartwarming and full of love with the most beautiful illustrations supporting the text and dialogue. I won't spoil the ending but it is perfect! A wonderful. powerful story to use in schools and homes, exploring friendship and the importance of being kind and tolerant. It was given 5 stars and a round of applause by the children!!!!

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher, and class

Amanda

This beautiful fable about friendship would be the perfect book for Spring projects at home or at school! We may not be able to literally grow our friends like Mr Rabbit, but his advice about the need to prepare your ground and show love, patience, care and warmth is true for all of us.

The wonderful watercolour illustrations add so much cheeky character to both Mr Rabbit and Carrot, turning them into loveable leads. Set in the garden, this will inspire children to grow their own vegetables. I wonder how they will feel about eating them! I can already hear the phrase "Oh, Carrots!" used as a cheeky expletive around the classroom!

The relationship that carrot brings to Mr Rabbit's life is just what he needs, and he is never bored and lonely again. A gentle and positive message wrapped up in a beautifully humorous story that will, I am sure, be a big hit with young readers. This would be a fantastic addition to any classroom's book corner and home reading shelf.

Picture book / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher