Marshmallow: An Easter And Springtime Book For Kids

By Clare Turlay Newberry

A beautiful classic picture book story about an unusual friendship between a bunny and a cat.

Oliver is a tabby cat who is always the center of attention.

Marshmallow is a baby rabbit who moves into Oliver's home.

At first Oliver does not welcome Marshmallow, but the little bunny's charms are impossible to resist. This is the true story of how Oliver and Marshmallow become friends.

Clare Turlay Newberry's lifelong passions for cats and for drawing come together in this elegantly illustrated book, winner of the 1943 Caldecott Honor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063055711

Book preview

Reviews for Marshmallow

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A solitary bachelor cat who enjoyed quiet naps and being waited upon by his human, Oliver was unprepared for the arrival of a small fluffy bunny in his Manhattan apartment. Frightened at first by this leporine intruder, and then all-too-interested in his movements, Oliver had to be separated from tiny Marshmallow when Miss Tilly wasn't around to supervise. Then one day, when Miss Tilly was late returning home, Oliver found a way out of his room, and encountered the happy hoppy little bunny at play. Undecided as to what he should do - continue watching the amusing display? or pounce upon the unsuspecting creature? - he was surprised when Marshmallow, mistaking him for a mother rabbit, took matters into his own paws.This adorable picture-book exploration of an unlikely cross-species friendship was chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1943 - the other title to be so distinguished that year was Mary and Conrad Buff's Dash and Dart - and it is not difficult to see why. Clare Turlay Newberry's soft artwork, which looks like it was done in charcoal and pastel, skillfully captures the winsome appeal of both cat and bunny. The pink accents used on the kitty and bunny noses and ears make a nice contrast to the gray and white of their bodies. The story is just as appealing, although readers should take note: apparently recent reprints have significantly reduced and revised the text, robbing it of much of its descriptive detail. I was lucky enough to find an edition that contained the original text, which opens:"Oliver was a cat of middle-age, gray with tabby markings. He was a bachelor without wife or kittens, and lived in an apartment in Manhattan. A housekeeper, Miss Tilly, who had been with him since kittenhood, looked after the place and prepared his meals.Many a cat has to catch his dinner before he can eat it, but Oliver was lucky. When he was hungry all he had to do was mention the fact to Miss Tilly, and she would open the refrigerator and get out his liver or chopped beef."Compare this to the opening of the revised edition:"Oliver was a gray cat with tabby markings who lived in an apartment. Many a cat has to catch his dinner before he can eat it, but Oliver was lucky. When he was hungry all he had to do was mention the fact to Miss Tilly, and she would open the refrigerator and get out his liver or chopped beef."It's unfortunate that such a charming book has been rewritten and abridged in this fashion, especially as I understand that there is nothing on the newer editions specifying this fact. I recommend readers track down the original text, if they can, and enjoy the book as it was originally written.

[mmarcel2011 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Only the two main characters are the illustrated in Marshmallow, with very, very little props. Although these pictures are quite plain and non descriptive, the reader gets a sense of comfort and kindness from these two animals. Knowing animals, usually a cat and rabbit don't get along. In the first illustrations they are separated, but at the end they are together, symbolizing that the conflict of them not getting along, as everyone knows the don't, has resided and they have learned to connect with each other. The pictures explaining themselves easily without the words.

[claire1cavell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mrs. Tilly brings home a new bunny but her cat Oliver is ready to pounce. So Mrs. Tilly separates the two until one day when Oliver sneakily opens the door and finds the bunny. The bunny who is not afraid goes up to Oliver and kisses him on the nose. They become friends.

[aakauff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 This 1943 Newbery Honor book tells the story of an unusual friendship between a fluffy little bunny (Marshmallow) and a good-natured cat (Oliver). Small and unsure of himself, Marshmallow latches onto Oliver, thinking the cat is his mother. With warm descriptions, these two furry critters eventually settle into a loving, if unlikely, relationship. Rendered in black and white with hints of pink, the illustrations are simple and elegant but never overwhelming. Young children will love the sweet animal pictures and authentic details. Recommended. For ages 2-6.

[derbygirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(easy, fiction) Miss Tilly has brought home a new white fluffy creature, a baby bunny, home. Oliver, the established cat, doesn't know quite how to feel about that. Will the two become friends and be able to live in the same household together? I enjoyed the narrative element to this book, though I think for smaller children there may be too much text, and for older children (2nd & 3rd grade) this book may bore the boys. I do think the girls would like it because of the cute little fluffy bunny. The pictures are vintage in appearance with pencil lines and light pastels, almost oriental-like, and that appealed to me. The book had the basic elements of conflict,characters and resolution.

[mmuncy_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry is about not judging someone because they look different. The story is about a cat whose owner gets a baby rabbit. At first Oliver, the cat, is scared of Marshmallow, the rabbit. Once he gets used to having him there he is not longer scared, but does not like having him there. It gets to the point where the owner has to get the two separated. One day the owner is late coming home and Oliver is hungry. He goes to the door where Marshmallow is staying and hears him making noises. Oliver gets the door open and sees Marshmallow jumping and playing and having fun. Oliver is stunned. Marshmallow finally notices him and comes over to give Oliver a kiss on the nose. Marshmallow was happy to have another furry creature around and snuggles up to Oliver. After that, they become great friends.My girls loved this book. After we read it I asked Abbey, my four year old, why she thought Oliver didn’t like Marshmallow at first. She told me because he wasn’t a cat, and I explained to her that yes she was right, Oliver didn’t like Marshmallow because he was different. I told her that after getting to know Marshmallow, Oliver really liked him. She thought that was nice the cat gave the bunny a chance.This is another book I would suggest to the teachers of the younger grades about friendship. The students could maybe write a short story, with the help of the teacher, about one of their own friends.

[alisonlucas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a really heart-warming book about Oliver the cat and Marshmallow the baby rabbit. When Miss Tilly first brings a new pet into the house, Oliver is first frightened then tries to hunt Marshmallow. Eventually, Oliver "adopts" Marshmallow, treating him like his kitten. The drawings in this book are simple and charming, as is Miss Tilly's poetry about her new pet. This would be a great book to read-aloud to young children.

[kayejuniper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fantastic! You can tell the author knows house rabbits and understands how they interact. The illustrations are spot on, too. I've got three rabbits myself and one of them definitely sleeps in her bowl. The language used to describe their movements ("lolloping") fits beautifully. I've not seen friendship between cats and rabbits personally but have heard delightful stories from other house rabbit society members and seen touching pictures of bunny-cat snuggles--that Newberry captures in her simple images.

[brennasheridan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The storyline was based on a cat named Oliver who has a difficult time adjusting to the new bunny in the house, Marshmallow. The illustrations are really simple pencil/charcoal drawings (I think), but are really beautiful. This book not only contains the story of how the bunny and the cat become friends, but also includes great little poems relating to their relationship. Very cute.

[kellyholmes-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A little long for a picture book, but a very cute story!