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Alan Barillaro is the author of the acclaimed debut Where the Water Takes Us. The Academy Award–winning writer and director of the animated short film Piper, he has been supervising animator on numerous other popular theatrical releases, including The Incredibles, Incredibles 2, WALL-E and Brave. He began his career in animation at the age of sixteen and spent more than twenty-five years at Pixar Animation Studios. Alan Barillaro lives in the Bay Area of San Fransisco, USA.
Bunns is born with short ears that grant her the ability to hear other creatures’ heartsongs (including the monarch butterflies and their riddles) and to speak with Spirit Fox. Her unique ears are a bad omen to the other rabbits, who push Bunns and her family out of the meadow. Bunns sets off to find Spirit Fox, hoping he will give her long ears. Her journey is perilous, but along the way, she saves Hummingbird who introduces her to Loon. Aided by her new friends, Bunns locates the fox, but a foolish mistake raises his ire. Now Bunns must find Spirit Fox’s missing monarchs before he destroys the land and consumes her. Fueled by fear and determination, Bunns runs and digs to restore what she and Spirit Fox lost. The narration is accompanied by abundant realistic color illustrations in earthy tones. Spirit animal myths are depicted in graphic panels, along with parts of the narrative. Bunns’s journey of self-acceptance follows traditional hero’s journey themes. Her adventures, mistakes, and attempts at redemption are relatable. The solid prose can vary greatly between twee and quite dark. The art’s softness and picture-book style will hold most appeal for younger readers, though they may be scared of the darker elements of the plot. The conclusion is ominous and implies a sequel. A compelling tale, this has appeal for younger readers due to the art, but the dark themes are meant for older ones. A solid general purchase.” -- Tamara Saarinen * School Library Journal *
