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P.J. Funnybunny #1
By Marilyn Sadler It's Not Easy Being a Bunny (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books) (Hardcover) September 12, 1983
Excellent Book
Hardcover
First published September 12, 1983
28 people are currently reading
1896 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Sadler
67 books47 followersWith a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
December 30, 2022
They're all grown now, but every one of my kids loved this story.
It's one of those books that the kids can participate in by yelling out the answer. In this case, they repeat back all the animals that PJ previously lived with in his attempt to not be a bunny.
The gist of this complicated plot is that PJ Funnybunny is sick of all the things that go along with the bunny lifestyle. Too many carrots! Too many siblings! He's done with this nonsense.
He strikes out on his own to find his place in the world, and one by one eliminates living like other animals due to one problem or another.
His issues range from silly:
To slapstick:
In the end, of course, PJ decides that being a bunny suits him right down to his big floppy ears, and he goes home. Which is the moral of the story that every mother wants, right?
Kidding!
But this is one of the books that was universally beloved in my house when the kids were little and it has a special place in my heart. And on my shelf.
Highly Recommended.
It's one of those books that the kids can participate in by yelling out the answer. In this case, they repeat back all the animals that PJ previously lived with in his attempt to not be a bunny.
The gist of this complicated plot is that PJ Funnybunny is sick of all the things that go along with the bunny lifestyle. Too many carrots! Too many siblings! He's done with this nonsense.
He strikes out on his own to find his place in the world, and one by one eliminates living like other animals due to one problem or another.
His issues range from silly:
To slapstick:
In the end, of course, PJ decides that being a bunny suits him right down to his big floppy ears, and he goes home. Which is the moral of the story that every mother wants, right?
Kidding!
But this is one of the books that was universally beloved in my house when the kids were little and it has a special place in my heart. And on my shelf.
Highly Recommended.
November 23, 2019
I loved this beginning book. The artist brought the creatures facial expressions to life; they felt so real.
P. J. Funnybunny (Love that name, it’s fun to say) decided he didn’t like being a bunny and he went looking for a different animal to be. He didn’t fit in with the other animals, especially the skunks which cracked up the nephew. He found that being a bunny was actually pretty great.
It’s the journey of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. The Journey to a different land makes you appreciate what you have and when you get back you are so thankful. This book is precious and it’s too bad I don’t think I read this as a child. It’s a great book.
The nephew is a little old for this book, but he loved the Funnybunny and he laughed at this story. It was so cute and he gave this 4 stars. Some classics still work.
P. J. Funnybunny (Love that name, it’s fun to say) decided he didn’t like being a bunny and he went looking for a different animal to be. He didn’t fit in with the other animals, especially the skunks which cracked up the nephew. He found that being a bunny was actually pretty great.
It’s the journey of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. The Journey to a different land makes you appreciate what you have and when you get back you are so thankful. This book is precious and it’s too bad I don’t think I read this as a child. It’s a great book.
The nephew is a little old for this book, but he loved the Funnybunny and he laughed at this story. It was so cute and he gave this 4 stars. Some classics still work.
July 5, 2018
“It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny” is apart of the famous “P.J. Funnybunny” series written by Marilyn Sadler along with illustrations by Roger Bollen. In P.J’s latest adventure, P.J. decides that he does want to be a bunny anymore and so he goes on a journey to find another breed of animals to live with. “It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny” will surely be a classic for fans of P.J. Funnybunny.
Marilyn Sadler has written a delightfully cute story about how P.J. Funnybunny was not satisfied with being a mere bunny until he experiences the lives of the other animals. I love the way that Marilyn Sadler has made a point being yourself as P.J. soon finds out that maybe it is not so bad being a bunny as he experiences the various activities done by the other animals that he would not normally do. Roger Bollen’s illustrations are hilarious and cute at the same time, especially of the image of P.J. Funnybunny having huge ears and a large pink nose, making look like a very cute bunny.
“It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny” is the perfect book about being yourself and being satisfied with your current lifestyle. I would strongly recommend this book to children ages three and up since the content is extremely family-friendly and the format is easy to read.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
November 6, 2024
This is the first book I ever read and it is so nostalgic to look back on. I remember reading this book consistently throughout my early childhood. definitely a 5-star read purely for nostalgia attached.
April 6, 2010
This is the very first book I successfully read on my own when i was about 4 or 5. This book will always hold something dear to me and it holds a very deep and wholesome moral: Always be yourself.
Its a great book to read to younger children with great illustration and short but descriptive paragraphs on each page. If your young one is just starting out, this is the one to grab. 5/5
Its a great book to read to younger children with great illustration and short but descriptive paragraphs on each page. If your young one is just starting out, this is the one to grab. 5/5
June 15, 2021
P.J. Funny bunny was very sad. He did not like being a bunny so he wanted to be a bear then a bird, and then beaver, and then a pig and ..
Loved this story line there wasn't anything i didn't like about this book. First time reading this author and it won't be the last. I rescued bunnies from bad situations so anything about bunnies i will read.
Loved this story line there wasn't anything i didn't like about this book. First time reading this author and it won't be the last. I rescued bunnies from bad situations so anything about bunnies i will read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2019
I sometimes forget that I get a lot of recommendations from compadres who are children's librarians or teach children . The title should have given me a clue ?! Anyway , it was a good 5 minute read .
September 19, 2015
Such a cute book!!! (:
April 28, 2016
PJ Funnybunny is tired of being a bunny , but after trying on the personas of other animals , learns a valuable lesson about liking who you are. Q's Easter Book.
May 31, 2025
The way it resonate with us, for being jealous of someone else’s life, but if you could actually living their life you’d start to notice the small things that don’t sit right and begin to complain. At the end of the day, it’s your own life that’s truly worth living. 🐰💯
March 18, 2008
This is about a bunny who doesn't like living with his bunny family, and wants to live elsewhere. He lives with various animals, until he realize the best place is home with his own bunny family.
April 5, 2025
It’s not, in fact, easy being a bunny.
April 2, 2024
I actually really enjoyed reading this book to my son. I liked how the bunny concluded how each other animal was not great and leading into a different animal. I also liked the length of the booth and the illustrations. Definitely appropriate for ages 3-7, would recommend buying/borrowing and reading!
July 31, 2025
Billie tried to chew the book while mom was reading it to me! He says the title is very accurate!
October 25, 2017
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
Personal Response: Tony gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it is funny and it is a good book. Tony liked that P. J.(the bunny) wandered into other animal's families. He also liked that P.J. went through all of these different animal's families, just to be a bunny.
Plot: The book It's Not Easy Being a Bunny is about a bunny named P. J., and P. J. was tired of being a bunny. P. J. went on an adventure to see what animal he wanted to be. He went to a bear's house, and besides, he didn't want to be a bear because they hibernate. Next P. J. went to live with the birds, and he liked it for a little while until he realized that he can't fly like the birds. After that, he wanted to be a beaver, but they did to much work and P. J. doesn't like work. Then P. J. thought that it would be fun to be a pig, so then he decided to go live with the pigs until he found out that all they do is sit in the mud. He then decides to go be a moose, because he thought he would like being a moose, but he didn't because he couldn't make the same noise as them. P. J. wanted to be a possum after that because he thought it would be exciting, but he couldn't hang upside down like the possums because it gave him a headache. Next, he wanted to be a skunk, but he could not handle the stench and left. After all of the animals he wanted to be, he decided that he wanted to be a bunny because he is good at being a bunny.
Recommendations: I recommend this book for little kids. The ages from 3-year-olds to 8-year-olds. This book is great for any ages but kids will probably like it the most.
Personal Response: Tony gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it is funny and it is a good book. Tony liked that P. J.(the bunny) wandered into other animal's families. He also liked that P.J. went through all of these different animal's families, just to be a bunny.
Plot: The book It's Not Easy Being a Bunny is about a bunny named P. J., and P. J. was tired of being a bunny. P. J. went on an adventure to see what animal he wanted to be. He went to a bear's house, and besides, he didn't want to be a bear because they hibernate. Next P. J. went to live with the birds, and he liked it for a little while until he realized that he can't fly like the birds. After that, he wanted to be a beaver, but they did to much work and P. J. doesn't like work. Then P. J. thought that it would be fun to be a pig, so then he decided to go live with the pigs until he found out that all they do is sit in the mud. He then decides to go be a moose, because he thought he would like being a moose, but he didn't because he couldn't make the same noise as them. P. J. wanted to be a possum after that because he thought it would be exciting, but he couldn't hang upside down like the possums because it gave him a headache. Next, he wanted to be a skunk, but he could not handle the stench and left. After all of the animals he wanted to be, he decided that he wanted to be a bunny because he is good at being a bunny.
Recommendations: I recommend this book for little kids. The ages from 3-year-olds to 8-year-olds. This book is great for any ages but kids will probably like it the most.
November 15, 2019
P.J Funnybunny did not want to be a bunny anymore, he didn't like his big ears or what his mom fed him, he wanted to be other animals around him. P.J Funnybunny tried to be a bear, a beaver, a bird, a pig and many other animals, but with every new animal he tried to be, he found something he couldn't do like them or something he didn't like that they did. This book was a hidden message kind of book as I like to call it, it is a good read as it is, but when you dig a little deeper there is an important message behind the writing. In Its Not Easy Being a Bunny, P.J Funnybunny wants to be everyone but himself, but in the end, he finds that he likes being himself. This is showing students the message that it is important and the best option just to be yourself because it is the best you can be and that's why I would want it in my classroom. I love books like this because I want to teach my students that they should just be themselves because it is the best they can be. This is such a powerful idea and this book had such a positive way to convey this message!
March 27, 2013
"It's Not Easy Being a Bunny" is a book about a rabbit who's not satisfied with the everyday life of being a rabbit. He ventured into the world to try to become like different animals. He attempted to be; a bear, a bird, a beaver, a pig, a opossum, a moose and finally a skunk. After living with each of these animal families for a short period of time, P.J realizes that his life as a bunny isn't really as bad as he thought it was. He returns to his family and appreciates his life more. I really like the book. I think each one of us can learn something from P.J. Funnybunny. Many of us take our families and lifestyles for granted. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
March 10, 2020
This is an adorable story about a bunny that is tired of eating cooked carrots and being a part of such a large family with so many brothers and sisters. So, he decides to go out into the world to try and be something else. He tries out many different kinds of families from bears to skunks and several things in between but realizes that things are quite right for him with these other species. By the end of the book, he realizes that it is not so bad being a bunny and returns home and is happy to eat cooked carrots and play with all his brothers and sisters. The illustrations are fun and the story is interesting and endearing.
October 18, 2017
PJ Funnybunny gets down on himself because he has big ears, he tries to find himself by living with a bear, a bird, and other animals only to find that being a bunny is what he's good at and what he's meant to be. This story is obviously a allegory for being yourself and not changing yourself for anyone else. As a child I remember reading this and wanting to be a bear.
You always want something that you're not. The book says this in the beginning but doesn't say how that's normal and okay. I still love the book but true is true.
You always want something that you're not. The book says this in the beginning but doesn't say how that's normal and okay. I still love the book but true is true.
August 9, 2018
My Review: This is such a classic book, I remember reading it as a kid myself, so I was thrilled when Munchkin picked this story out at the library. I love the classic illustration style, it is simple and a little cartoonish that adds character to the story. Munchkin really liked that he was able to read the story, the words were all simple and the sentences short. There is a lot of repetition that young ones will enjoy. It also has a great message about being happy with who you are and not trying to be someone else.
January 19, 2021
5 stars.
Ok ok so my childhood nostalgia is coming into play here just a little, but here me out, it is still a really great picture book. It's funny and the message is about loving who you are. What's not to like about that.
I'm sure most of us have been in PJ's predicament, where he wants to be someone other than who he is.
This book also reminds me of that 1994 movie, North. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110687/)
I hadn't realised that there were so many books in this series. I only ever had the first two growing up so I'm looking forward to tracking down the rest.
Ok ok so my childhood nostalgia is coming into play here just a little, but here me out, it is still a really great picture book. It's funny and the message is about loving who you are. What's not to like about that.
I'm sure most of us have been in PJ's predicament, where he wants to be someone other than who he is.
This book also reminds me of that 1994 movie, North. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110687/)
I hadn't realised that there were so many books in this series. I only ever had the first two growing up so I'm looking forward to tracking down the rest.
October 8, 2014
Each time I read this, I like it a bit better!
A very funny story about a bunny who wants to be any other animal except a bunny!
He tries being a bear, a skunk, a beaver, etc. but he realizes that being a bunny is best!
Great for children to read to discover that they too are perfect just the way they are!
A very funny story about a bunny who wants to be any other animal except a bunny!
He tries being a bear, a skunk, a beaver, etc. but he realizes that being a bunny is best!
Great for children to read to discover that they too are perfect just the way they are!
September 8, 2011
P.J. no longer wanted to be a bunny, therefore he tried to become all different types of other animals, only to discover he really liked being a bunny. It is a good read for children who are having troble realizing that who they are is pretty amazing.
September 16, 2014
A very funny story about a bunny who wants to be any other animal except a bunny!
He tries being a bear, a skunk, a beaver, etc. but he realizes that being a bunny is best!
Great for children to read to discover that they too are perfect just the way they are!
He tries being a bear, a skunk, a beaver, etc. but he realizes that being a bunny is best!
Great for children to read to discover that they too are perfect just the way they are!
November 5, 2017
6yo: “it is a nice book”
November 19, 2017
Adorably written and illustrated! Borrowed from the little free library by Acorn Park. I totally relate - I want to be a bunny and eat cooked carrots too!
December 17, 2018
A well illustrated and engaging book about being who you are and belonging. Would recommend. -Zoe
February 19, 2019
I like this book because at the end the bunny realizise he belongs with the bunny's.
February 22, 2020
Another I apparently never logged.
This is a fun little book. My son likes all the different animals. The illustrations are cute and I like that it’s about being happy with who you are.
This is a fun little book. My son likes all the different animals. The illustrations are cute and I like that it’s about being happy with who you are.
February 23, 2020
I love these beginner books. I can't wait to teach kids how to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews