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This myth concerning the area around the Yawning Rabbit River is told across three interconnected time periods. It opens with the rabbit thief Sean, who is driven by love to bring the river to his dying and dangerous forest. Following his brave and selfless adventure, the reader is transported to the story of Ash and Dusty—two brothers bought by a shopaholic who named them while dusting an ashtray. After an elaborate Cain-and-Abel-type story, which includes a boy with a coin for a head, the tale picks up again twenty years later when a mysterious illness is affecting the nearby town. A strange detective shows up to “investigate” the illness and sparks a clash between those who carry an umbrella and those who don’t. Secretly, the detective is looking for the magical green book, which tells the story of Sean and the river.
Kimmel and Ceccarelli’s book is inventive and imaginative. At times, the story and illustrations are remarkably and wonderfully creepy before turning thoughtful and kind. The talking creatures and descriptions are reminiscent of elements found in the works of two other accomplished children’s writers, deftly capturing Kate DiCamillo’s charm and Jonathan Auxier’s terror. A great example of the delightfully grotesque is the introduction of Mr. Page in the third section of the story. However, the narrative is occasionally muddled with a preponderance of interesting creatures with only loose plot connections. Still, the delight in all the whimsical happenings, creative characters, and intertwined narrative will certainly enthrall many readers and take them on a fantastic journey through the mythology of the Yawning Rabbit River.