An endearing and heartfelt sequel to The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn

Title: Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery

Author: Michael S. Lingo

Illustrator: Damien Hall

Publisher: Michael S. Lingo Books

ISBN & Price: 9798990348929, $14.99

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Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery by Michael S. Lingo

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Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery by Michael S. Lingo is an endearing and heartfelt sequel to Michael S. Lingo’s first children’s book, The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn. In Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery, readers follow a cast of colorful and diverse furry friends as they investigate a mysterious creature making noises in the night. Through warm, inviting illustrations and playful dialogue, the story emphasizes the importance of patience, keeping an open mind, and giving second chances.

The book opens with a brief recap of Bunny and Fawn’s origin story, providing new readers with a clear introduction to the main characters. Bunny and Fawn are two friends-turned-family who once shared a cozy hollow log, but after being forced to relocate, they found a new home–and a new friend in Bear. The three pals enjoy swimming and exploring the forest. During their time together, they share encouraging language that promotes patience and positivity in young readers. After a fun-filled day, the animals return to their homes to rest. Bunny and Fawn are awoken in the night by a strange sound, following it only to discover a creature lurking in the shadows. Bunny expresses her fears, and Fawn reassures her, subtly teaching readers that it’s healthy to express emotions.

The friends recruit Bear, and the three embark on an investigation of the scary creature. They work together to come up with different strategies and plans, and throughout their journey, they kindly reassure each other with affirmations and patience. Eventually, they find the creature, who turns out to be not so scary at all, as he’s just a friendly pig, Truffles. The critters discuss among themselves the mistake they made in assuming that Truffles was something frightening, and offer apologies to the pig. Truffles shrugs it off as an honest mistake. Bunny, Fawn, and Bear invite Truffles to swim with them, where they all enjoy each other's company and newfound friendship.

Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery gently explores the value of communication through characters who model honesty, patience, and love in their friendships. The story culminates in an unexpected bond between a diverse group of animals who, despite their differences and initial assumptions, discover that they have more in common than they thought. It conveys the message that making mistakes is okay–and that through open communication, we can form friendships we never anticipated and build families we didn’t know we needed. This heartwarming tale is a valuable resource for young readers learning to express their emotions, and a helpful tool for parents and teachers aiming to foster empathy, patience, and inclusion in the hearts of children.

Review by Britain Powers