The Magic Rabbit
Hop into this curious story of an unusual rabbit who discovers the wonders of a mysterious hat—and his own imagination. Wait a sec, could he be a magician?
Presto! He makes frogs jump, mice scurry, and a flutter of birds fly up into the sky. One surprise leads to another, but he has nobody to share the magic with. However, this magic hat is full of surprises — will he discover the best trick ever?
When I started this book I wondered where this rabbit came from. I went outside one cold night to gaze at the constellation Orion. It dawned on me that the rabbit might be hopping away from Orion, the Hunter.
A reluctant friend jumps out of the hat and then leaps away.
I grabbed my Book of Stars, illustrated by H. A. Rey, and discovered constellation Lepus, the Hare, right underneath Orion. It made sense to start the book with the night sky, showing Orion and Lepus, on the endsheets.
While painting the rabbit juggling balls I realized this celestial rabbit would be a natural at juggling planets.
As the book progresses the morning colors shift from violet to indigo to blue and on through the color spectrum, until day turns back to night.
My rabbits, Sniffy and Chewy.
If you go down the rabbit hole when making a book you sometimes become the rabbit.
Magic Rabbit Author Picture
Helping my characters get into character while oil painting in my studio — the whole space vibrating with intense colorful panels.
Here I am observing my rabbits and feeding them carrots to help them hold still long enough to catch a quick gesture sketch.
Two friends on a road trip into the galaxy; the best magic, having a friend.
Color studies for the book cover.
Arabic Language Edition of The Magic Rabbit book
Book Reviews:
“Watson steps away from the accomplished realism of Tom Thumb (1993) and Joanne Ryder’s The Waterfall’s Gift (2001) for a more broadly brushed expressionism in this exuberant solo debut….Watson makes a talented visual artist…from the front cover’s shower of glitter to the rear view of Rabbit, white fur mystically lit, contemplating the stars. A strong showcase for Watson’s technical versatility.” Kirkus Review
“What an inviting cover! …Watson’s spectacular art fuses realism and fantasy. The spreads burst with stars, scarves, and planets, and decks of cards fly through the air. Watson is an excellent colorist, using deep, fruity background hues to give a lift to every spread.” Booklist
“…While the story is strong, written with a deceptively simple grace and style, it is the vibrantly colored art that will take a cozy seat in your aesthetic soul and make its home there.” Statesman Journal
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The Magic Rabbit, by Richard Jesse Watson
Blue Sky Press-Scholastic 2005 ISBN-10:0590479644 ISBN-13:978-0590479646
My magical editor, Bonnie Verberg, has a sixth sense for finding four-leaf clovers. So I hid one for Bonnie in each picture in this book. Here’s a couple hints.
Pillbugs are also hidden throughout.
Can you find one hidden in the dandelion?
Art director Fabulosa, Kathy Westray, came up with the sparkly holographic foil for the book title. She and Anamika Bhatnagar worked their magic into this book. Kathy wisely commented, “It's all about Team Book; the best idea wins."