Bunnies Binny, Benny, Bernie, Bonnie, and Buddy love being together. Every time one of them starts playing, the others eagerly join in. But when Hoppelpopp arrives on the scene, he turns everything into a contest. Who is the fastest? The strongest? The smartest? The bravest? The best? “From that day on, everything changed. The bunnies didn’t eat together anymore. They didn’t sleep together anymore. And they didn’t play together anymore … Buddy cried because he wasn’t the best at anything.” The arrival of an intruder—a badger!—eventually reminds the bunnies that they’re better together than apart. “And Hoppelpopp hopped away. He didn’t find the best bunny, but he did find five equally good ones.” Playful illustrations add to the appeal of a story that will ring true for many readers and listeners. (Ages 4–7)