1940 children's book by Dorothy Kunhardt
Pat the Bunny is the first[1] "touch and feel" interactive children's book, written and illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt. Since its publication in 1940, it has been a perennial best-seller in the United States. Rather than follow a linear narrative, the book invites the reader to engage in tactile activities, such as patting the fake fur of a rabbit, feeling sandpaper that stands for "Daddy's scratchy face," trying on "Mummy's ring," reading a book within a book, playing peekaboo with a cloth, and gazing into a mirror.[2]
It was written and illustrated by author Dorothy Kunhardt, who wrote Pat the Bunny for her three-year-old daughter Edith, who went on to become a children's writer herself.[3] The New York Times considered it the first interactive books ever written.[1]
Child development experts, such as pediatrician Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, recommend the book due to its "sensory approach."[4][5]
Reception and legacy
As of 2006, Pat the Bunny had sold over 6 million copies, making it the number-6 all-time bestselling children's hardcover book, according to Publishers Weekly.[6]
Kunhardt's daughter Edith Kunhardt Davis wrote three companions: Pat the Cat in 1984, Pat the Puppy in 1991, and Pat the Pony in 1997.
The publisher, Random House, has developed an entire line of related products.[7]
In 2000, DIC Entertainment discussed creating a TV series based on the book.[8][9] The book continues to be popular, appearing as eleventh best selling children's illustrated book for the week of June 15, 2006.[10] Golden Press makes more than a quarter million copies a year.[1] In August 2004, Classic Media and Evergreen Concepts partnered to help promote the Pat the Bunny brand.[11] On March 4, 2008, a DVD of the book was released with interactive materials included and an interview with Jean Kunhardt, the author's granddaughter.[12] In 2011, Random House Children's Books released a ""pat the bunny"" app, inspired by the original book, for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch[13] which received critical acclaim.[14]
In a season 23 episode of Sesame Street, Lillias White read the book to a Baby Honker, when Benny Rabbit hops over, thinking that they're mentioning him as a bunny. The Baby Honker pets him, to which Lillias says "she's patting the Benny".
There have been parodies of the book also, such as Pat the Politician, mocking contemporary political figures,[15] and Pat the Yuppie, which includes activities like touching the sheepskin seatcovers of their new BMW and rubbing the exposed brick of their new condominium's wall.[16]
The proceeds from Pat the Bunny support I Am Your Child, a national public awareness campaign created by the Reiner Foundation to stress the importance of early brain development.[17]
