Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery
By: Deborah and James Howe
Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 2.0
When the Monroe family brings home a small black-and-white bunny they find in the movie theater after seeing Dracula, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are instantly suspicious. After all the vegetables in the Monroe kitchen start turning white, Chester and Harold are certain that Bunnicula is a vegetarian vampire.
Comprehension Questions
Editor’s Note
- Who brings the editor’s his manuscript for publication? Harold, the dog
- Who are the members of Harold’s family? Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, Toby and Pete, and Chester, the cat
Chapter 1
- What does Harold’s translation of the note that was tied around the bunny's neck say? Take good care of my baby. P 9
- How does mom think of a name for the bunny? Toby want to name the bunny Dracula because they found him at a Dracula movie, but Pete does not want to, so Mom makes a compromise and creates the name Bunnicula. P 15
Chapter 2
- What makes Chester a special cat and what are his favorite books? Chester loves to read and his favorite books are mystery stories, tales of horror, and the supernatural. P 19
- What does Chester notice about Bunnicula? That instead of having a rabbit’s buck teeth he has two little pointed fangs. P. 23.
Chapter 3
- What are Chester’s feelings about Bunnicula? He feels that Bunnicula is a danger to the household and everyone in it. P 25
- What does Chester tell Harold about Bunnicula? Bunnicula got out of his cage, went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. P 28 and 31
- Describe what Dad finds the next morning? He finds a white tomato that is dry because it had all the juice sucked out. p 32 and 35.
Chapter 4
- What three facts make Chester think that Bunnicula is a vampire? 1) Vampires do not sleep at night. 2) Vampires can get in and out of locked rooms. 3)Vampires have long pointed teeth. P 47
- What else had Bunnicula drained? Lettuce and Carrots from Toby p 48 and a white zucchini p 52.
Chapter 5
- When Mom is upset that her vegetables are turning white what explanations do the kids come up with? A vegetable blight p 54 and chemicals like DDT p 57
Chapter 6
- What is the first thing Chester does to ward off Bunnicula and what is his punishment? Chester puts garlic everywhere. P 63 Mom gives his a bath p 66
- What does Chester try next? He gets Harold to help him get Bunnicula out of his cage, he puts a steak on top of him, and then he pounds on the steak. P 73
- What is the third thing that Chester tries to do to Bunnicula and what is his punishment? He tries to throw his water dish at him, but misses and get put outside for the night. P 75
Chapter 7
- What does Harold notice about his new friend? That Bunnicula is dragging his ears. He’s tired and listless and his nose is warm. P79
- What does Harold realize is causing Bunnicula to act those ways? Chester is starving Bunnicula. P 81
Chapter 8
- How does Harold try and save Bunnicula? He got him out of the cage, carried him to the dinner table, and showed him the salad. P. 86
- Where does Mom decide every needs to go? To the vet. P.90
Chapter 9
- What does the vet day is wrong with Bunnicula and what does he do to help him? Bunnicula is suffering from extreme hunger and Bunnicula gets carrot juice. P93
- What does the vet day is wrong with Chester and what help does he get?Chester is emotionally overwrought and he starts seeing a cat psychiatrist. P93