Brian Fitzgerald
BRIAN FITZGERALD
is an Irish illustrator living and working in a small harbor town, Dun Laoghaire, just outside Dublin City. Once a month he meets with a group of picture book illustrators to discuss new ideas. For one meeting he was unprepared and quickly wrote down an idea the night before about a bunny going on vacation. Ten rewrites and a week spent at the Tyrone Guthrie artist retreat, courtesy of Children’s Books Ireland, Bunny’s story was ready to submit to the publisher. Bunny’s Most Fabulous Vacation Ever! is the first book he has written and illustrated. Now it’s time for a well-deserved vacation and a hot chocolate by the sea. Recent books illustrated by Brian include Be Thankful for Trees by Harriet Ziefert and Apple Pie Picnic by Alicia Duran, both from Red Comet Press. Visit Brian at www.brianfitzer.ie.
Bunny’s Most Fabulous Vacation Ever!
Copyright © 2024 Brian Fitzgerald
Published in 2024 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023941960
ISBN (HB): 978-1-63655-101-2
ISBN (EBOOK): 978-1-63655-102-9
Brian Fitzgerald
Red Comet Press • Brooklyn
Bunny was excited about her trip. Once a year she liked to get away.
Her routine was simple.
Park well away from everyone else.
Put up her fence. No neighbors, please, she wanted to be on her own.
Head for the beach and collect some rocks.
This vacation was off to a great start!
To finish off the day, she made a hot drink and gazed at the stars.
Pretty soon the sound of the ocean lulled her off to sleep.
Then morning came. And with it, the worst possible surprise. She thought, I may as well pack up and go home. My trip is ruined!
A monster had set up camp . . . RIGHT! NEXT! DOOR!
All day she couldn’t concentrate. There were FAR too many distractions.
Next he was grabbing a surfboard and skipping off to catch a wave. One minute the monster was playing with rocks!
And what was this? Meditation? I know he’s just pretending.
The delicious smell of barbecue only made her tummy growl and grumble!
I wish he’d go!
She couldn’t just step out at night to stargaze anymore. She’d look foolish, wouldn’t she? Him with a showy-off telescope.
Bunny noticed a change in the weather. A storm was coming! Should she warn the monster? Or would that be rude and interfering. He probably wouldn’t listen anyway. Maybe monsters like storms?
The storm wasn’t kind to the monster. Neither was Bunny. That’s what you get when you’re showing off all day, she thought. Ha ha! He’s having a terrible time. I hope he’s learned his lesson. Put your tent somewhere else next time.
Bunny got a little bit carried away. Look at him with his silly rainbrella. No more holiday for you. He’ll have to go home now!
Then she realized how sad and miserable he was. To be fair, it HAD been fun watching him all day. Plus, his food HAD smelled yummy!
By taking his hand and being nice, Bunny noticed that his mood changed immediately.
There were plenty of towels, hot drinks, and board games for two.
Her angry feelings washed away and new ones arrived. Nice ones!
They were two happy campers in a cosy caravan. Bunny hadn’t felt this good in days.
She thought, I’m not cross anymore. In fact, I’m a teeny-weeny bit excited. Bob and I both like the same things.
Bunny forgot about wanting to be alone. She was far too busy having fun.
They walked and climbed.
They sat and pointed.
And sometimes, they ran. Fast!
They were unstoppable.
Showing off on surfboards. Having sandcastle time.
Playing with rocks, as if they were the only ones who could build a good rock tower.
Bunny didn’t quite get meditation, but she did her best!
And they both agreed, it’s much better stargazing with a telescope and a mug of hot chocolate!
But now it was time to go home.
Together, they took one last look at the sea . . .
Collected one last rock . . .
Gave one last hug . . .
. . . and made plans to do it all over again next year!
