Just Like Rabbit - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

Maria Marshall
2 hours ago
3 min read

Ever since I discovered Katy Hudson's first book featuring this adorable group of animal friends - Too Many Carrots - I have been in love with her humor and gorgeous, detailed illustrations.

Book cover - a frog sits on a red and white spotted mushroom, wearing a bunny ear helmet and sporting a fluffy tail. While Racoon, Mouse, Owl, and hedgehog look up at him.

Just Like Rabbit

Author/Illustrator: Katy Hudson

Publisher: Capstone Editions (January 1, 2026)

Ages: 3-8

Fiction

Themes:

Self-confidence, friendship, envy, and being true to yourself.

Synopsis:

It was spring. Rabbit’s season to shine. But this year, Frog was taking over. He had always wanted to be just like Rabbit. He already had the hops, and the rest he could learn with the help of his friends. But when disaster strikes, Frog must decide who he's really meant to be. With her stunning illustrations and relatable storytelling, best-selling author/illustrator Katy Hudson seamlessly weaves themes of friendship, self-acceptance, personal growth, and self-worth into this heartwarming picture book.

Opening lines:

Spring had sprung, and it was Rabbit's turn to shine.

Frog watched in awe as Rabbit hopped by,

his long elegant ears, his little bunny bounces,

and his adorable puffy tail captivating

everyone he passed.

What I LOVED about this book:

I adore the detailed, visual treasure hunts which Katy Hudson creates in all of her end pages. Just look at the research page on what makes Rabbit special and the collage of patterns, sewing tools, and materials, all capped off by a set of photo booth-like pictures of Frog with his friends - hedgehog, raccoon, owl, and mouse! This spread is such a fun image to explore.

Front End page - a spread full of spools of threan, sewing pins, measuring tape, scissors, buttons, pompoms, patters paterial, a research page of rabbits and an egg hunt flier.

Text & Image © Katy Hudson, 2026

The opening image viscerally captures Frog's jealous, gloomy yearning to be like Rabbit. Frog's droopy face is so sad as he watches Rabbit daintily hoping about hiding Easter eggs. I love the subtle visual touches, like the beams of light behind the trees and at the edge of the pond, the lamp post on a tree, and tiny door tucked into a tree trunk. As well as the beautiful natural elements of the forest and pond. All of which are wonderfully paired with the sparse, lyrical text.

Internal spread - on the left, an Easter egg is tucked into into a tree, a squirrel peaks around a trunk, and Rabbit hops past a pond and down a trail. On the right, a blue bird peeks out of a nest inthe trunk and Frog, sits on a lilly pad and glumly watches Rabbit hop past

Though they didn't quite understand why Frog wanted to be "like Rabbit," since he had such great, unique qualities, when he asked for their help, they jumped in wholeheartedly. Helping Frog dress, eat, and sleep like Rabbit. You'll enjoy the humorous, dedicated, and touching efforts of Frog's friends. Katy Hudson's finely detailed, softly colored, and wonderfully expressive illustrations are so engaging and offer new discoveries with each read.

Internal spread - on the left a forlorn frog sitting on a white speckled, red toadstool. On the right, owl tries to thread a needle, Hedgehog measures Frog, Mouse tries to make a fluffy tail with stuffing, and Raccoon, sitting next to a sewing box, cuts out an ear fabric pattern. Images of Rabbit's ears and tail are posted on trees and a clothesline.

And though carrots and burrows aren't quite right for frogs, he doesn't give up. Afterall, if he can hop right and deliver eggs, that's what really matters. But Owl's "HOP-O-METER" and Raccoon's "Jump-Graph," though well meaning, quickly dash Frog's dreams. The humor and determination of Frog to BE a rabbit, build to a near tragic end, where Frog . . . The end it well earned, affirming, and awesome. It's a fantastic friendship story celebrating the unique and special aspects and abilities within each of us.

Resources:

what is something you are really good at? What do you wish you could do? How could you find out if you can do what you wish?

make an affirmation bracelet (using letter beads), artwork, or comic to celebrate yourself. try

try some games to build self-esteem, like the "Positive Relay Race" or "Self-Esteem Freeze Dance."

If you missed my interview with Katy Hudson last Monday, find it (here).

This post is part of a series of blog posts by authors and KidLit bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions and resources see Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Books.