A Year in the Life of Mimi: Her Miniature Stories

A Year in the Life of Mimitells of the adventures of a carefree rabbit and her philosophical musings.

"Clouds always seem to take the shape of what you are dreaming of," Mimi thinks as she watches carrot-shaped clouds float overhead. Whether she's eating ice cream, gazing up at a sky full of stars, riding a bike, or chatting with a donkey, Mimi knows how to enjoy life's simple pleasures with childlike innocence. She comes by that innocence honestly: her stories were written by a group of elementary school students. After illustrator Allyn Harad created Mimi through a series of watercolors, she asked fifth graders from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to write short stories for each illustration. The result is a series of "miniature stories" that capture the whimsical spirit of the children who helped bring Harad's charming rabbit to life.

Children love Mimi and her spirit of adventure. But A Year in the Life of Mimiis more than a children's book. Adults also love Mimi for her wise observations of the world -- reminding them of a simpler time. When Mimi finds herself confronted with the "fun side of her brain" telling her to jump in a pile of leaves, while the "thoughtful side" tells her jumping in the leaves will mean another hour of raking, readers can only smile when she takes the fun side's advice and dives in.

A Year in the Life of Mimi gives everyone -- young and old alike -- the chance to see the world through curious -- and slightly mischievous -- eyes. When Mimi wonders "where would a bird make her nest is she was afraid of heights" as she swings beneath a giant tree, you can't help but wonder along with her. Readers are never the same after sharing A Year in the Life of Mimi.