floating rabbit: a word from the burrow

Prepare to make carrot cake!

2012-01-13T23:00:00.001Z

I ran down to the field where all the other rabbits were. We were going to collect carrots to make carrot cake -- everybunny's favourite!

I found everyone sitting on the grass, looking at Nigel Floppyears. He stood at the front, pointing at a map of the carrot field.

"What's going on?" I asked Clarissa.

"Don't ask!" she said. "Nigel's decided that we need a more efficient carrot-collecting strategy."

"No talking at the back!" shouted Nigel. "Concentrate; this is important."

I looked round. Several rabbits were trying to suppress a yawn, and even Winston, Nigel's little dog, was curled up asleep.

"Now," Nigel continued. "Every rabbit needs to learn that the carrot is our enemy! It is our mission to catch that carrot, but the carrot does not want to be caught. So what must we do? What must we do to defeat the carrot?"

I put up my hand. "We pull it out of the ground?"

"Good heavens, if only it were that simple! This is a serious, complicated manoeuvre. First, we have to prepare! We have to find our carrot. We have to disarm our carrot. We have to catch our carrot. Then, and only then, can we make carrot cake. Fortunately, technology is on our side." He held up a small screen.

"CarrotNav: Uses GPS to locate and identify the nearest carrot."

And just gone three o'clock, I noted. Nearly tea-time.

"Next, we have to prepare for every situation that might arise. Heavy boots to cross the muddy field; goggles to protect your eyes against that carotene glare; a net to catch the carrot, and a box to make sure he doesn't escape. And a hard hat in case the little devil tries to fight back."

"Is that it?" asked Clarissa. "Can we go and get the carrots now?"

"One more thing," said Nigel. "We have to make sure that carrot does not see us coming, or he'll run. What do we to make sure the carrot doesn't see us coming, eh?" Nigel asked.

"We go at night?" I suggested.

"Don't be silly, everyone knows that carrots can see well in the dark. No -- we go in disguise! Wait, I'll show you." Nigel went behind the tree. A moment later --

"Ta-da! Now, everyone follow me!"

He ran towards the carrot field.

"Come on," said Clarissa. "Everyone just pull a carrot as usual, and we'll go back to the burrow and make cake. Bob Tail, you put the kettle on."

And jolly nice cake it was too.

Grounded

2012-01-12T11:20:00.001Z

"But I want to go and chase the carrots in the field!", I cried.

"No, Bob Tail Rabbit," said Big Boss Bunny. "You've not being doing your work. Look at that blog of yours: not a single drawing on there for months and months and months. You're not going out until you've done something. Consider yourself grounded."

I sulked off to my studio. Through the window, I could see some of the other rabbits chasing the carrots.

I cleared away a patch of dust, and sat next to my easel.

I stared at my paintbrushes, and they stared at me. "We haven't seen you in a long time," they seem to say.

Then I looked at a blank piece of paper for quite a long time.

It stayed blank.

Suddenly, I had an idea! I wound up the computer, and logged onto Rabbitbook.

Four hours later, I still couldn't think of anything to draw.

I went back to Big Boss Bunny. "It's no good, I can't think of anything to draw. The muse is not with me. I have no inspiration."

"Bah," said Big Boss Bunny. "Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work."*

I went back to the studio, picked up a pencil, and started to draw. Anything. I drew a carrot and a cat and a tree and a bird and a rabbit.

But I still couldn't think of anything I wanted to draw. I squeezed some paint onto my palette and stood in front of the easel.

I did a quick sketch of Clarissa with her enigmatic smile.

But I still couldn't think of anything I wanted to draw.

"I'm telling you, I can't think of anything to draw!" I almost shouted at Big Boss Bunny.

"Oh, you silly rabbit," said Big Boss Bunny. "Look: you've drawn everything you've done! The inspiration was around you all the time. Now you can go out, and chase the carrots. Good rabbit."

* Big Boss Bunny has been reading Mr Chuck Close.

Rabbit Post!

2010-04-23T17:39:00.004+01:00

We've started our own post office. Just stick one of these stamps on your envelope, and it will be delivered to the burrow of your choice!

Stamps are denominated in "c" for "carrots". A blue 1c stamp will get your letter all the way to the end of the next field.

Who ate all the carrots?

2010-04-16T18:56:00.006+01:00

Someone's eaten all our carrots! We need a detective to find the guilty party!

Shall we call Sherlock Holmes?

Shall we call Hercule Poirot?

No! There's only one team who can do this job...

Starsky and Rabbit Hutch!

Carol singers

2009-12-20T13:13:00.007Z

Last night, I answered a knock on the burrow door. There was Naughty Kitten and his friends, singing carols.

Merry Christmas everyone!

A big jug of custard

2009-12-03T14:56:00.001Z

I made a big jug of custard to go with the pudding that Clarissa made yesterday.

Christmas pudding

2009-12-02T17:37:00.001Z

Clarissa has been busy in the kitchen making Christmas pudding!

Dancing in the snow

2009-12-01T14:43:00.006Z

This morning, we opened the first door on our Advent calendar. And we found a rabbit dancing in the snow!

My new camera

2009-11-07T21:59:00.011Z

I have a new camera. I've never had a camera before. The first thing I decided to do with it was take a lovely picture of Clarissa. I thought you might be interested in some of the things that I learnt.

1. Ask before you take a photo.

2. Hold the camera the right way up.

3. Get the subject near the centre of the picture.

4. Make sure that everyone is facing the right way.

5. Make sure that everyone is smiling.

6. Get in close to the subject.

7. Not that close.

8. Hold the camera level.

9. Don't put your paw over the lens.

10. Check the exposure.

11. Check the exposure. Again.

12. Focus.

13. Keep still.

14. Don't cut off the top of their ears.

15. Too high!

16. Too low!

17. Make sure that Nigel Floppyears doesn't get in the way. Or anyone else.

Now you're all ready to take the photo.
Press the button, and --

18. Make sure that everyone hasn't walked off 'cos they're bored.

I'm going back to my pencils.

The Great American Rabbit

2009-11-02T17:08:00.010Z

We're so proud! Our friend Badge the Badger has made this lovely set of four pinback button badges celebrating The Great American Rabbit, with drawings by me, Bob Tail Rabbit.

Uncle Sam Rabbit says America Needs Rabbits!

The Statue of Liberty fits her long ears under her crown.

The cowboy rabbit burrows westwards.

And a rabbit proudly salutes the Stars and Stripes.

rabbit 100

2009-10-21T21:47:00.004+01:00

"Well done," said Clarissa. "Ninety-nine rabbits. You just have to do one more, and we'll be ready for Great Aunt Dahlia's one hundredth birthday party this afternoon."

"One more?" I cried. "No! I'm exhausted from all this rabbiting. I'm so tired, I can't lift my pencil any more... Are you sure she's one hundred? Could she be only ninety-nine?"

"She's definitely one hundred. You have to draw one more rabbit."

"It's no good, I can't go on." I banged my head against my desk. "She'll just have to make do with ninety-nine rabbits. I feel terrible."

I was sad and disappointed that I had failed to reach my target. I wrapped up the present that we'd got for Great Aunt Dahlia, and we hopped over to her burrow.

The party had already started. All of Great Aunt Dahlia's friends were there. "We got you this," I said, handing her the box.

"Thank you ever so much," said Great Aunt Dahlia. "I wonder what it is."

"Open it carefully!"

"Look everyone! Look what Bob Tail Rabbit brought me -- "

"-- the biggest bunch of flowers in the world!"

...

Late that evening, Clarissa and I stumbled home, tired but happy after the excitement of the party.

"Well done, Bob Tail Rabbit," said Clarissa as she made the cocoa. "You made it after all. I knew you could do it."

"Made it? No, I failed. I only drew ninety-nine rabbits."

"Oh, you silly Bob Tail Rabbit, look up there! You drew yourself carrying Great Aunt Dahlia's present! You drew one hundred rabbits... And then one to spare!"

"I did? I did! You're right! Good night, Clarissa!"

"Sleep well, Bob Tail Rabbit."

rabbits 96 to 99

2009-10-20T20:15:00.003+01:00

Almost there!

rabbits 96 to 99

96 wears a badge.
97 thinks we can't see him.
98 makes wishes come true.
99 eats... a 99.

rabbits 91 to 95

2009-10-19T23:12:00.003+01:00

Look, more rabbits!

rabbits 91 to 95

91 is shy.
92 is late.
93 stands very still.
94 has a nice cup of tea.
95 is -- hang on, that's not a rabbit! That's a naughty kitten in a very bad disguise!

rabbits 86 to 90

2009-10-18T16:45:00.002+01:00

The rabbits are here again!

rabbits 86 to 90

86 leans over the wall.
87 sits on the wall.
88 bakes a cake.
89 and 90 will make you feel better.

rabbits 81 to 85

2009-10-17T12:52:00.003+01:00

Yes, there are more rabbits!

rabbits 81 to 85

81 and 82 skip and jump together.
83 and 84 celebrate with champagne.
85 is a pirate on the high seas.

rabbits 76 to 80

2009-10-16T13:28:00.004+01:00

Here they are again.

rabbits 76 to 80

76 is just here.
77 is a magic rabbit.
78 is happy.
79 dropped his number.
80 paints a picture.

rabbits 71 to 75

2009-10-15T20:45:00.002+01:00

Nearly there!

rabbits 71 to 75

71 looks so debonair.
72 and 74 bounce 73 up in the air.
75 says the next one's over there.

rabbits 66 to 70

2009-10-14T19:26:00.003+01:00

Hello again!

rabbits 66 to 70

66 is proud to be here.
67 reads the latest news.
68 is in charge of everything.
69 and 70 are dancing the night away!

rabbits 61 to 65

2009-10-13T16:54:00.003+01:00

They're back!

rabbits 61 to 65

61 sits up high.
62 popped out of his hole.
63 writes a poem.
64 est un lapin français.
65 sings a song!

rabbits 56 to 60

2009-10-07T21:56:00.003+01:00

Still more rabbits!

rabbits 56 to 60

56 is -- where is 56?
57 and 58 have got mixed up.
59 is knitting a scarf.
60 is all dressed up and ready to go.

Ah -- there is 56!

rabbits 51 to 55

2009-10-02T18:13:00.004+01:00

These rabbits have all travelled a long way to get here.

rabbits 51 to 55

51 skated across the ice to see us.
52 is checking his map.
53 sailed the seven seas.
54 was hoping for somewhere with more sunshine.
And 55 came in a box!

rabbits 46 to 50

2009-10-01T19:52:00.003+01:00

A half-century of rabbits.

rabbits 46 to 50

46 wears a very big badge.
47 and 48 have just arrived in their new car.
49 won a rosette for "Best Bunny".
50 has brought us a flower from his garden.

rabbits 41 to 45

2009-09-30T20:23:00.004+01:00

Rabbits fly!

rabbits 41 to 45

These rabbits are reaching for the stars...

rabbits 36 to 40

2009-09-29T16:31:00.003+01:00

And more and more and more rabbits.

rabbits 36 to 40

36 is -- hey, 36, we're over here!
37 is ready for bed.
38 is flying the flag.
39 -- oops, I think he got knocked over by the flag.
40 has won a medal.

rabbits 31 to 35

2009-09-28T19:24:00.002+01:00

And now for some more rabbits.

rabbits 31 - 35

31 is just standing around.
32 is just sitting down.
But 33 and 34 and 35 want to play cricket -- Howzat rabbits!

rabbits 26 to 30

2009-09-27T18:24:00.002+01:00

Yet more rabbits!

rabbits 26 to 30

26, 27 and 28 have come as a trio.
29 doesn't know which way is up.
And I think 30 is scoring 29 for "artistic interpretation".

rabbits 21 to 25

2009-09-26T20:48:00.006+01:00

Look! More rabbits!

rabbits 21 to 25

21 is so happy to be here!
22 and 23 give each other a big hug.
24 is a very good rabbit.
25 is a very bad rabbit!

rabbits 16 to 20

2009-09-25T19:51:00.005+01:00

More rabbits!

rabbits 16 to 20

16 and 17 are getting ready to watch television.
18 is Postie Rabbit, bringing a birthday card.
19 doesn't want to catch a cold.
20 has his nose in a book. He looks a bit worried about what he's reading!

rabbits 11 to 15

2009-09-24T20:39:00.003+01:00

Day three, and another five rabbits appear!

rabbits 11 to 15

11 and 12 are going to sing a song for us.
13 isn't quite sure which way to look.
14 is standing on a box so that he doesn't miss anything.
And 15 is sitting down, 'cos he's a bit tired.

rabbits 6 to 10

2009-09-23T19:17:00.004+01:00

Today, I drew five more rabbits, numbers six to ten!

rabbits 6 to 10

6 and 7 are holding hands...Ahhh!
8 is making sure we don't miss him.
9 and 10 are playing football... but I think they're on different teams.

An infinite number of rabbits...

2009-09-22T12:03:00.027+01:00

"Great Aunt Dahlia says she can't remember what happened next," I told Clarissa.

"I expect another slice of carrot cake will jog her memory."

"I think she's just getting old and forgetful," I said, worried that the carrot cake was already disappearing too fast. "How old do you think she is?"

"Well, I just happen to know it's her birthday next week. She'll be one hundred years old."

"One hundred!" I said. "Gosh, I can't imagine being that old. That's like, like infinite."

"Oh no," said Clarissa. "One hundred is nowhere near infinite."

"What's the difference?"

"Well, the difference is you could draw one hundred rabbits, but you could never draw an infinite number of rabbits".

That gave me an idea. "I'm going to draw one hundred rabbits for Great Aunt Dahlia, one for each year that we're celebrating." I hopped off to the studio to draw.

rabbits 1 to 5

"But that's only five rabbits," said Clarissa.

"Come back tomorrow..."

Under the sea

2009-07-15T23:28:00.008+01:00

I begged Great Aunt Dahlia to tell me the next part in the story of how Grandma Lily met Grandfather Scutter. "So Grandma drifted out to sea, and was caught in a storm -- Did she survive?"

"Well, of course, she survived, you silly Bob Tail Rabbit," said Great Aunt Dahlia. "If she hadn't survived, you would never have been born, and I'd be sitting here talking to that empty plate."

"The storm tossed Lily out of the punt, and she fell into the cold water. Further and further she fell, until she reached almost to the bottom of the ocean."

"Lily swam around looking at the fish and the shells and the rocks. She told me she even saw a merbunny."

"Then in the distance, she saw a hollow rock -- a cave -- and in the darkness, she could see something glittering."

"Cautiously, she swam into the cave, and do you know what she found?"

"No; what?"

"Treasure, that's what she found. An enormous treasure chest overflowing with the most beautiful golden carrots that you can imagine."

"Oh my! Did Grandma take the treasure, and become rich, and live happily ever after?"

"Well, Bob Tail Rabbit, life isn't usually as simple as that. You see -- there was something else in the cave as well."

"What?" I asked.

"Oh dear, all this talk about carrots has made me hungry again. Now, didn't I mention something about an empty plate?"

"I'll get you another slice of cake..."

Find out what else was in the cave in the next part of this story, coming soon.

What happened next

2009-07-09T23:04:00.010+01:00

You might remember that Great Aunt Dahlia was telling me the story of how Grandmother Lily met Grandfather.

"Go on," I said, passing her another slice of carrot cake. "Grandmother Lily was drifting on the river in a punt all alone. What happened next?"

Great Aunt Dahlia brushed the crumbs from her whiskers. "Well, Lily tried to call for help. She shouted and waved, but a little rabbit in a little punt is a very small thing indeed, and no one noticed her."

"'Oh my, oh my! Whatever shall I do?' she cried to herself. By now, she was quite cold and hungry, and shaky with fear. So she pulled the picnic blanket over her, and lay down to rest.

The punt drifted on down the river. Suddenly, Lily woke with a start, and looked all round. There was nothing but the cold water below and dark clouds above. 'Oh my, oh my, I've drifted out to sea.'

'Bless my whiskers, there's a storm heading this way!'

And before she could do anything, the wind blew a great wave across the sea and snatched up the punt. Lily clung onto the side as they were tossed into the air, and --"

"Yes -- go on, Great Aunt Dahlia. What happened next?" I cried.

"Just a moment, young Bob Tail Rabbit. I think I could manage another slice of that carrot cake, and then I'll tell you."

Look out for the next episode, coming soon.

The Fancy Dress Party

2009-07-01T17:48:00.009+01:00

All the rabbits in the burrow were very excited this morning when we received an invitation to a party. "Fancy Dress To Be Worn," it said. "Come as your greatest hero!"

We all rushed off to decide what to wear, and then showed the others what we'd chosen. I was first.
"I'm going as the cleverest rabbit I know: Michelangelo Bunnyrotti."
"I've chosen the most beautiful rabbit in the world," said Clarissa. "Marilyn Bunroe."

And my friend Nigel Floppyears said, "I'm going to be the bravest rabbit that there ever was: Napoleon Bunnyparte."

Finally, it was Naughty Kitten's turn.

"Who are you going as?" we asked, as he disappeared behind the screen.
"I'm going as the greatest and cleverest and most beautiful and bravest cat in the whole wide universe..."

"Who's that?"

"Me!"

Drifting

2009-06-23T15:46:00.009+01:00

I'm still finding out more about our family history. When Great Aunt Dahlia came to afternoon tea, I asked her if she knew how Grandma Lily met Grandpa Scutter.

"Well now, Bob Tail Rabbit, there's a fine story," she said, sipping a cup of nettle tea. "It was all a long time ago. Your Grandma Lily was out with her latest beau. He took her punting on the river."

"Was that Grandpa?"

"No," hesitated Great Aunt Dahlia. "That was -- I can't remember his name now. It was a very long time ago, and your Grandma Lily did have quite a number of gentlebunny friends -- but that's another story..."

"It was one of those warm summer days when the heat seems to make everything slow down. Lily laid back in the punt and let her paw drift in the water... Suddenly, there was a shout!"

"She opened her eyes to see her friend clutching onto the pole for dear life, while she was still in the punt, being carried downstream by the current."

"Bless my whiskers!" I cried. "Whatever happened next? How did Grandma Lily meet Grandpa?"

"Ah, I'll just have another piece of this fine carrot cake, and then I'll tell you."

Look out for the next part of this story, coming soon.

Snow in Spring

2009-06-18T12:50:00.010+01:00

It was one of those Spring days that makes you think that Summer is already here. The sun shone in the clear blue sky. Clarissa said, "Let's take a picnic up to the old apple tree at top of the hill".

We unfolded the picnic cloth and lay under the tree. "Look at the blossom, isn't it pretty?" said Clarissa, tucking into a carrot. "If we wait long enough, the blossom will turn into flowers and the flowers will turn into apples."

"It's beautiful," I said, closing my eyes. The warmth of the day and a tummy full of carrots made me sleepy. The blossom fluttered in the soft breeze.

I woke suddenly. "Clarissa, wake up!" I cried. "Look, everything's turned white; it's been snowing while we slept!"

"Don't be a silly rabbit, that's not snow -- It's all the blossom from the tree!" The wind had blown down all the petals, and the entire hill had turned white and pink. "Come on, it's time to go home; we'll be late for dinner."

"Well, it looks like snow. Do you think it works like snow?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to be late for dinner. Jump into the picnic basket!"

And we made it all the way back to the burrow, just in time for dinner.

Midnight craving

2009-06-09T13:23:00.013+01:00

"You've been such a good rabbit lately," said Clarissa, "I'm going to make your favourite: Carrot ice-cream."

I helped Clarissa mix the milk and cream and eggs, and most important of all, the carrots.

"Can we eat it now?" I said.

"No, we have to put it in the freezer overnight. Get your paw out of the bowl -- it will be ready in the morning."

That night, I couldn't sleep. I lay awake worrying about the ice-cream...

What if the recipe had gone wrong...? What if we hadn't put enough carrots in...? Clarissa would be so disappointed. I decided it was my duty to check that the ice-cream was all right.

I crept downstairs.

I had just opened the freezer, when suddenly the kitchen light turned on.

"Bless my ears and whiskers, Bob Tail Rabbit!" said Clarissa. "I heard noises in the kitchen; I thought we'd got burglars!"

"And you were going to fight them off with that spoon?"

"Ah -- I just thought while I was down here that I should make sure that the ice-cream was all right."

"So did I! Let's try it!"

So we tried it.
And it was all right.
Every little bit!

History of the World: Part I

2009-06-02T19:47:00.010+01:00

Clarissa says that if we're going to research the family history, we have to start right at the beginning. So here goes...

In the beginning, there was nothing.

So the rabbits just sat round eating carrots, and enjoying the Paleozoic sunshine.

Then along came the dinosaurs.

Brianosaurus Rex

Rabbits quickly adapted to the new situation, and learnt to run...

...Fast.

Grandfather Rabbit

2009-05-27T18:55:00.010+01:00

We've just been to visit Nigel Floppyears in hospital. Clarissa took one of her special carrot cakes, and I took the family photo albums that I found in the library.

"This is Grandfather Robert Rabbit," I said. "Back in eighteen-hundred-and-something, he opened the world's first carrot factory."

"This is the machine he invented: they put the raw ingredients in one end, and the carrots came out of the other end."

"Here are some of the factory workers, with a box of the 'World's Finest Machinemade Carrots' as Grandfather called them."

"Did he make a lot of money?" said Nigel.

"Grandmother Rabbit said he wasted the family fortune on the 'World's Finest Mad Idea'. But I can't see where it went wrong: everyone likes carrots."

"This machine that he invented... What were the raw ingredients they put in?"

"I can't quite make it out from the photograph."

Nigel peered closely. "Oh, you silly rabbit. Look: they're putting carrots in. They put carrots in one end of the machine, and out the other end came the same carrots. The machine did nothing. No wonder your Grandfather lost all his money. Is everyone in your family as cracked as he was?"

"Eat your cake," I said.

Dancing

2009-05-23T17:57:00.013+01:00

All the rabbits in the burrow were very excited this morning. Lots of lovely folk have been kind enough to feature us on their interwebby bloggy things.

Widget's Year - Diary of a Sock Bunny

Gina's handcrafted cards

UK Handmade

Folksy Finds: Bunny bonanza

In fact, everyone was so excited that we all ran outside, and danced on the grass!

Thank you to all our Folksy friends!

A busy morning

2009-05-19T15:03:00.031+01:00

Yesterday was a busy morning in the burrow. Clarissa was cooking lunch; Nigel Floppyears was decorating; and I was working hard in the studio. I had just picked up my brush, when I heard a terrific crash from the other end of the burrow. Seconds later, Clarissa rushed in.

"Nigel's fallen off his ladder!" We ran into the bedroom. Nigel was lying on the floor, and paint had splashed everywhere.

Clarissa hurried to the telephone to call for an ambulance.

Minutes later, the paramedics arrived, and put Nigel on a stretcher.

The ambulance screeched off, its siren blasting away.

We hopped after the ambulance to the hospital. By the time we arrived, Nigel was already tucked up in bed, with Doctor Rabbit and Nurse Rabbit at his side. Doctor Rabbit looked very serious.

"Stand back everyone, this rabbit is turning pink. I think he's turning into a pig -- It must be swine flu!"

"He's not turning into a pig!" said Clarissa. "That's pink paint -- He's been decorating!"

"No!" cried Doctor Rabbit. "Swine flu is dangerous, and highly contagious. You must keep well away."

The door opened, and Nigel's little dog Winston ran in.

"Get that dog out of here," shouted Nurse Rabbit. "We can't have animals in this hospital!"

Before she could do anything, Winston ran to the bed, gave Nigel's face a big doggy lick -- and the pink disappeared.

"Ah -- the, er, illness, appears to have, er, gone into remission," said Doctor Rabbit. "No need to panic about swine flu after all. I don't know why you were all so worried."

Nigel's staying in hospital for a day or two to get over his fall. Meanwhile, Clarissa and I are working out how to get pink paint off Winston's tongue.

Rabbits on parade

2009-05-13T22:43:00.013+01:00

The rabbits are on parade today!
Hurray, hurray!

(Click the picture for a bigger view.)

Research rabbit

2009-05-10T17:59:00.013+01:00

After the excitement of discovering the old photographs of the family, I hopped off to our library at the back of the burrow to find out more about the bunnies in my past.

I was soon buried deep in the dusty books and old diaries and albums of faded photographs. You won't believe some of things I found out! I was just reading the scurrilous adventures of Grandpa Scutter, who was a sailor on the high seas, when I heard Clarissa calling "Dinner time!"

She put her head round the library door. "Oh, there you are! Good heavens, what's that on your nose?"

"It's a pair of spectacles. Someone had used them as a bookmark. I think they make me look quite intellectual."

"Hrrmph!" said Clarissa. "Your dinner's on the table."

My family tree

2009-05-07T20:58:00.011+01:00

This morning, we were clearing out part of the burrow, ready to decorate it (though we still haven't decided what colour), when Clarissa found a box of old photographs.

"Who are these rabbits?" she said, "They look so funny in their old clothes." (You can click on the picture above to see the photos more clearly.)

"The one in the top hat is my Grandpa Robert. I was named after him."

"I'm going to work out your family tree," said Clarissa, laying out the photographs on the table.

"I don't think we have a family tree. We're rabbits; we live in burrows, not trees."

"No; look at this. There's your grandparents at the top, then your parents in the middle, and then you at the bottom. It's a hierarchy."

"If I'm at the bottom, does that mean I'm the lowerarchy?" I said.

Clarissa rolled her eyes. "I know what we'll do. Over the next few days, we'll try to find out more about your ancestors, and you can draw pictures of them."

Naughty Kitten dreams of Hollywood

2009-05-04T19:39:00.008+01:00

Since we started putting pictures of Naughty Kitten on this interwebby thing, people from all over the world have been looking at them, and the fame has completely gone to his head!

In the early hours of this morning, I was awoken by Naughty Kitten running into the bedroom, and shouting, "Has the postman been? I haven't missed him, have I?"

"Go away," I mumbled under my blanket. "It's three o'clock. Of course the postman hasn't been yet."

"Oh, thank goodness! I'm expecting the contract to come today."

I poked one ear out. "What contract?"

Naughty Kitten jumped on the bed. "From Hollywood! I'm waiting for a contract from them. I'm so famous now, I expect they will want to make a film of my life!"

I turned over and went back to sleep. The contract didn't arrive this morning, but to keep Naughty Kitten happy, I drew this picture of what he might look like at the premiere of his film.

A trip to the theatre

2009-04-29T22:50:00.008+01:00

Clarissa decided it was about time that we got some culture, so she bought tickets for the theatre. We all dressed up in our Sunday best — Clarissa, me, Nigel, and his little dog, Winston, who even put on his Sunday best collar — and we went along to the Burrow Theatre. The theatre was very popular. There were hardly any spare seats.

Clarissa said that the play was called "Waiting for Carrot" by Samuel Rabbitt. Well, I don't know what was going on; I spent two hours waiting for the carrot, but it never turned up.

What a disappointment!

When we got home, I drew this picture of us at the theatre.

Decorator Rabbit!

2009-04-17T14:54:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year when the Spring sunshine makes the entire burrow look dull and dingy, and you realise it's time to brighten it up with a lick of fresh paint.

My friend Nigel Floppyears has given up waiting for us to choose which colour to paint the burrow, so he's gone ahead and painted his bedroom. His little dog Winston gave him a helping paw, and I drew this picture of them while they worked.

The Jade Rabbit

2009-04-12T16:42:00.004+01:00

You might remember that a while back, Clarissa and I spent the night under the stars looking for the Jade Rabbit on the moon.

One day, we’re going to visit him for real. I asked my friend, Nigel Floppyears if he could build us a rabbitrocket, but he says it’s impossible.

So I've drawn this picture of what I think the Jade Rabbit looks like. He’s mixing a new batch of the “elixir of life” for the Chinese princess. I don’t know what ingredients go into the elixir of life, but I’m sure it must need lots and lots of carrots. When we meet him up there on the moon, we’ll find out; nothing is impossible.

A postcard from Naughty Kitten

2009-04-07T12:03:00.002+01:00

Only this morning, Clarissa mentioned that we hadn't seen Naughty Kitten round here for a few days, when there was a knock at the door. It was our postman, Cyril Squirrel.

"Postcard for you," said Cyril. "Looks like someone's on holiday."

It was a postcard from Naughty Kitten! He's gone for a week by the seaside.

"Having a lovely time on the beach!" he wrote. "I'm building sandcastles and eating lots of ice-cream! Not going in the water though — nasty wet stuff, bleagh! Wish you were here! Love and licks, Naughty Kitten".

So I drew this picture of Naughty Kitten on the beach with his bucket and spade.

A is for Aardvark

2009-04-02T15:47:00.000+01:00

Yesterday morning, Clarissa and I were hopping across the field gathering dandelions for dinner, when we heard a snuffling noise from behind the hedge. Clarissa grabbed my arm.

"Who's there?" I called out. I knew Clarissa was scared that it might be Bad Fox.

"A," said a voice. Well, at least it wasn't Bad Fox (he just goes Grrr!).

"A what?"

"A is for Aardvark."

And then out from behind the hedge popped a head: long pointy ears, not unlike mine, and a long pointy nose, nothing like mine.

"I'm Alan the Aardvark. I've come all the way from South America to see you. Now isn't it time you offered me a nice cup of tea; it's been a long journey."

"Hello, Alan! Of course you can have a cup of tea; come on back to the burrow."

Clarissa offered Alan an ice-cream while she put the kettle on to boil, and I drew this picture of our new friend with his cornet.

Three flying rabbits

2009-03-26T19:42:00.000Z

It's a very windy day! This morning, Clarissa and Nigel and I went up to the top of the hill behind our burrow. The wind was blowing hard, and clouds raced across the blue sky.

"Do you think we can fly?" said Clarissa, hopping through the grass.

"Let's try!" said Nigel.

We all took a deep breath, and when the next big gust of wind scrawled across the hilltop, we jumped as high as we could. And then we were flying!

Up, up, up into the sky! Far down below, we could see our burrow, and our field, and the woods beyond, and then further and further to places we've never seen before.

"Just one thing," shouted Nigel. "How do we get down again?"

"Who cares?" said Clarissa. "This is fun!"

Painting the bedroom

2009-03-21T15:51:00.002Z

Clarissa has decided that we should repaint the bedroom.

"I like it as it is," I said, looking round at the familiar brown walls.

"No, you lazy Bob Tail Rabbit," she said. "It's the first day of Spring: it's a new season, and we need a new look."

"What new look?"

"Oh, you decide," she said. "You're the artistic one."

I thought for a moment. "I like earth tones."

"It's earth tones already!" said Clarissa. "In fact, it's just earth. A nice fresh coat of emulsion would transform this place."

I gave up. "What colour would I like then?"

"I think cornflower blue — like my eyes."

Just then, my friend Nigel Floppyears came by. "White's good," he said. "Reflects the light."

Well, we couldn't decide, and when Naughty Kitten popped round, we asked him. "I think it should be auburn... to match me."

Clarissa laughed, "Oh no, I don't think orange would suit the room."

"I'm not orange," Naughty Kitten glared at her. "I'm golden."

Then we asked the Three Bears what they thought. "Sky," said Daddy Bear. "Blue," said Mummy Bear. ("Told you," muttered Clarissa.) "Pink," said Baby Bear.

"You mean: Sky Blue Pink?" I said.

"That's it!" they said, and danced off across the fields.

So, we still don't have a decision. Any ideas?

Moon-gazing rabbits

2009-03-14T19:36:00.000Z

Last night, me and my girlbunny Clarissa Rabbit went up to the top of the hill above our burrow, and watched the full moon rise over the horizon. As we sat under the stars, I told her the story of the Jade Rabbit. According to Chinese legend, the Jade Rabbit lives up on the moon with Chang'e, the goddess of the moon, and he spends his days making the elixir of life for her. While we sat up there waiting for the Jade Rabbit to appear, I draw this picture of us sitting on the grass.

We watched all night, but we didn't see him. I promised Clarissa that one day I will take her to the moon, so that we can have a proper look for him.

Nigel's little dog

2009-03-12T19:41:00.002Z

My friend Nigel Floppyears has a little dog!
He's called Winston. Nigel takes little Winston for walks everywhere. Even when they are not out for a walk, Winston follows Nigel wherever he goes.

Only yesterday, Nigel was busy digging out a new tunnel in our burrow, and he couldn't work out why it was taking so long. Then he realised that Winston was behind him, and as Nigel was digging earth out of the hole, Winston was putting it back in — little dogs like to bury things just as much as rabbits like to dig things!

Bath night for Naughty Kitten

2009-03-09T19:25:00.001Z

It's bath night for Naughty Kitten!

He's been playing outside in the garden: there's mud on his paws, and mud on his whiskers, and I think that there's even mud in his ears. So they've told him, "It's off to the bathtub for Naughty Kitten". And here he is, ready with his soap and brush. It's so rare that Naughty Kitten does what he's told, that I've drawn this picture of him in his bathcap and towel.

Clarrisa's carrot curry

2009-03-07T10:57:00.001Z

There's a wonderful warm and spicy smell drifting through the burrow this morning. Clarissa is having one of her experimental days in the kitchen, and she's cooking Carrot Curry. She sent me out first thing to gather carrots from the garden, and now she's cutting and slicing and frying and stirring, and I don't know what.

I hope it works!

After lunch update
The carrot curry was delicious!

Here come the Three Bears

2009-03-06T19:35:00.001Z

The Three Bears have a cottage at the end of the field where I live. Someone told me that they used to be famous, but I don't think I've heard of them before; have you? I think they used to be on the stage, because sometimes we see them dancing in their garden. Here's a picture that I drew of them when they were high-kickin' round the lawn.

Rainy day rabbit

2009-03-02T22:21:00.002Z

It's raining today, but that's not going to stop Bob Tail Rabbit enjoying himself! This is a picture of me under my big red umbrella, dancing and singing in the rain!

Splash!
Splash!
Whee!

This picture is a reminder that whatever the weather is like, you can still have fun!

Pancake day

2009-02-24T19:34:00.001Z

It's Pancake Day, and Clarissa Rabbit is in the kitchen!

She's making delicious pancakes to celebrate the day, but things aren't going too well. One, two, three, toss the pancake and -- oops, there's another one on the floor. Hurry up, Clarissa, we're starving; pancakes with a nice bit of carrot are my favorite dinner!