“Let’s just say the matter is under control,” Chester slyly tells his pals Harold and Howie. But what on earth does he mean? It seems that Bunnicula, the vampire rabbit, is back to his old ways — or so Chester thinks, having found pale vegetables drained of their juices scattered about the Monroe family kitchen. And now, once and for all, Chester is determined to save the world from this threat. … threat.
But why has Bunnicula — so frisky just a short time ago — been so listless and tired of late? Is this part of Chester’s scheme? Can Harold let Chester get away with hurting an innocent bunny, no matter what his harebrained suspicions are?
It is not long before the Monroes notice Bunnicula’s condition and rush him to the vet, and then the chase is on, ending up with a dramatic confrontation in a most unusual (and dangerous!) location.
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Bunnicula Strikes Again, James Howe, 1999
My favorite quote: “Some of my readers have written expressing their concern about the potentially detrimental effects of chocolate on dogs, to which I can only say that while it is true some dogs have been known to become ill from eating chocolate, others have not. Luckily, I fall into the latter category. Also, I hasten to remind my readers that I, like the books I have written, am a work of fiction.”
Notable characters: Harold, our canine narrator; Chester, his feline friend; Howie, their young dachshund companion; Bunnicula, the alleged vampire bunny
Most memorable scene: Chester and Bunnicula in the theater at the end. The younger me would have totally bawled. I know this because the grown-ass-man-me almost bawled. Not to worry, though … it does have a happy ending. But for a minute there, I was worried …
Greatest strengths: Its emotionality. Not gonna lie: it kinda got to me
Standout achievements: This series is every bit as good as a grown up as it was as a kid
Fun Facts: This book features return visits from Bob and Linda, as well as Felony and Misdemeanor from the previous book, Return to Howliday Inn
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: That apparently (according to the drawing on page 17 in which she’s scowling down the staircase at her a-hole children in what appears to be a fur coat), Mrs. Monroe looks like a mob-wife. I don’t know if she looked like a mob-wife all along and I just missed it, or if she had some work done or what. But yeah. She looks like a mob-wife now
How it inspired me: It actually DID take me back to childhood in a way — even though I didn’t read this one until I was an adult. But apparently, I still have an emotional connection with these characters. I love that
Additional thoughts: This is, oddly, the first book that gave me a real sense of Bunnicula. Even though this little vampire bunny is often at the center of the stories, he doesn’t actually make that many appearances — and when he does, he’s pretty static. Not so in this one. In this one, I finally fell in love with the little guy
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
In this sixth installment of the Bunnicula series, there is something dangerous afoot. After a reappearance of the white vegetables, Chester is once again determined to get rid of the vampire bunny. And this time, he’ll stop at nothing to end the vegetable-draining habits of our favorite vampiric rabbit.
Harold and Howie are dragged along with the cat’s schemes, but Harold, who has never been enthused about Chester’s attempts to destroy Bunnicula, is now debating what he is supposed to do. And when both Bunnicula and Chester get sick and are sent to the vet, Harold must make a decision: will he unite with his best friend to rid the world of a vampire rabbit or will he work to save Bunnicula from Chester’s maniacal plan? Either way, things will never be the same in the Monroe household again.
This Bunnicula book features the titular vampire bunny that we’ve come to know and love. With Harold, Chester, and Howie getting into the usual shenanigans, led, of course, by Chester’s wild imagination. The ending of this book was surprising, and I’m so glad that things worked out the way it did. And, of course, all the while, the poor Monroes are baffled by their pets and how they managed to get in the middle of everything once again.
If you enjoyed the Bunnicula series, this book is a good addition to the series. This one prominently features Bunnicula, and there are the white vegetables that reappear. The ending of this book made me smile, and there is a great change in Chester’s relationship with the vampire rabbit in the most surprising way. If you want more of the mysterious bunny, pick up this book and watch everything change.