This immensely popular children's story is told from the point of view of a dog named Harold. It all starts when Harold's human family, the Monroes, goes to see the movie Dracula, and young Toby accidentally sits on a baby rabbit wrapped in a bundle on his seat. How could the family help but take the rabbit home and name it Bunnicula? Chester, the literate, sensitive, and keenly observant family cat, soon decides there is something weird about this rabbit. Pointy fangs, the appearance of a cape, black-and-white coloring, nocturnal habits … it sure seemed like he was a vampire bunny. When the family finds a white tomato in the kitchen, sucked dry and colorless, well … Chester becomes distraught and fears for the safety of the family. "Today, vegetables. Tomorrow … the world!" he warns Harold. But when Chester tries to make his fears known to the Monroes, he is completely misunderstood, and the results are truly hilarious. Is Bunnicula really a vampire bunny? We can't say. But any child who has ever let his or her imagination run a little wild will love Deborah and James Howe's funny, fast-paced "rabbit-tale of mystery." (Ages 9 to 12)


From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6-It has been 20 years since Deborah and James Howe wrote Bunnicula (Atheneum, 1979), and what better way to celebrate than this new unabridged recording read by actor Victor Garber (Titanic, Sleepless in Seattle). Garber gives an educated dignity to Harold, the Monroe family dog. His voice inflections and accent changes to clearly define each character as he calmly relates the story. This is a straight reading of the text, without musical interruptions or sound effects. Each cassette side ends in silence with no direction to turn over or forward the tape. Harold relates the story of how the Monroes find a rabbit at a showing of Dracula. They bring the bunny home and name him Bunnicula. Chester, the cat, soon suspects that Bunnicula is a vampire rabbit and takes it upon himself to rid the house of the cursed bunny. With the reluctant help of Harold ,they torture the rabbit with garlic, and unsuccessfully attempt to pound a raw steak through Bunnicula's heart. In the end, it is up to Harold to save Bunnicula and calm the nerves of Chester. Bunnicula is a classic that shows no signs of becoming dated. The recording included a touching afterward by James Howe who relates how his late wife Deborah came to create this story, and to finish it despite her battle with cancer. A must for any library lacking in the bunny occult.Todd Dunkelberg, Deschutes Public Library System, OR Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with BUNNICULA STRIKES AGAIN.]--When the Monroe family brings a bunny home one night, they have no idea what the effect will be. But when vegetables turn up drained of their juices and the bunny is observed to sleep all day and prowl outside his cage at night, Chester the cat becomes suspicious. How he attempts to prove his suspicions are correct makes for uproariously funny stories. In BUNNICULA, we meet the Monroe family and their pets for the first time. In BUNNICULA STRIKES AGAIN!, Bunnicula begins to act strangely, and Chester becomes convinced that he's planning to escape. Victor Garber is exceptional as he gives each character--canine, feline, or human--a distinct voice and identity. As his voice switches from that of the arrogant, know-it-all Chester; to exuberant, energetic Howie; to practical, caring Harold the dog, it's not hard to imagine the animals having conversations like this. The humor exists on several levels, from slapstick to literary, and Garber manages to make these audiobooks equally enjoyable for children and adults. W.L.S. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Midwest Book Review
A vampire bunny? Chester the cat thinks the new arrival to the family is actually a vampire - and is convinced when white vegetables are drained of their juices. But how can the pets warn their masters of this new deadly danger? A hilarious comedy comes to life in audio, performed by Lou Jacobi. Bunnicula gained instant popularity when it first appeared in publication. This audio edition is equally welcome!


Review
"Move over Dracula!  This mystery-comedy is sure to delight."  --The New York Times


Book Description
This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived. Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure. But the story of Chester's suspicions and their consequences makes uproarious reading. Since its first appearance in 1979, Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents everywhere, selling over 8 million copies and winning numerous awards.


Card catalog description
This reissue of the classic story featuring the vampire rabbit celebrates the book's twentieth anniversary. Includes an essay by co-author James Howe on the origins of "Bunnicula."


Simon & Schuster
This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived. Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure. But the story of Chester's suspicions and their consequences makes uproarious reading. Since its first appearance in 1979, Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents everywhere, selling over 8 million copies and winning numerous awards.

ANNOTATION

Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived.

Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure. But the story of Chester's suspicions and their consequences makes uproarious reading.

Since its first appearance in 1979, Bunnicula has been a hit with kids and their parents everywhere, selling over 8 million copies and winning numerous awards.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile