Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“A New Pet for the Monroes”

In this activity, students will design the Monroe family’s next pet, assigning it characteristics based on popular literature.

James and Deborah Howe blend elements of literature within their story to create a vampire bunny. Create your own version of the Monroes’ new pet using literature as inspiration for the pet’s characteristics. Design an image of the pet, and then use these points to create a written description of your pet.  

• What type of animal will the Monroes bring into their home?
• What literary connections will you make to your pet?
• What will the Monroes decide to name their pet?
• Consider the tone and mood you want to project with your description of the Monroes’ new animal.
• How will Chester and Harold respond to the pet you designed?
• What characteristics will your pet have based on the literary connections you have used?

Share your version of the Monroes’ new pet with peers, highlighting important details from your written description.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it beneficial to first discuss the connection between vampire literature and the Howes’ creation of Bunnicula before considering their own version of the Monroes’ pet. Consider asking students to brainstorm books they have read in different genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction, for ideas they can use to come up with a new fictional pet.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge can further explore the reaction of Chester and Harold to the new pet. Additionally, these students may wish to consider plot scenarios that may occur as a result of the new pet.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Bunnicula is written from Harold’s point of view.

• How might the novel be different had the story been told from Chester or Toby’s point of view? (topic sentence)
• Describe three ways in which the novel may have been different had it been told from a viewpoint other than Harold’s. Use evidence from the novel to support your claim.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, speculate as to why the Howes chose to use Harold as the narrator for this novel.

2. Harold is a dynamic character, meaning his character changes in the novel.

• What are the changes that occur in Harold’s character over the course of the story? (topic sentence)
• Describe the way Harold’s character changes, starting from the point at which he first meets Bunnicula and charting his changes in perspective and character up to the novel’s conclusion. Use textual evidence to support your response.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe the role Bunnicula plays in the changes to Harold’s character.

3. Though the novel is narrated by Harold, Chester provides insight into his thinking by revealing his plans to Harold.

• Do you think Harold and Chester are reliable sources of information regarding the events in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe whether Chester or Harold is more reliable as a source of information. Provide two examples from the novel for each character to support your response.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why understanding Chester and Harold’s views is important to the plot of the novel.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Harold and Chester are suspicious of Bunnicula because of his odd behavior. Consider Bunnicula’s habits, characteristics, and mannerisms. In an essay of at least three main points, explain whether you believe Bunnicula is a vampire. Include Chester and Harold’s opinions in your analysis. Use textual evidence to support your response.   

2. Harold describes himself as having a close relationship with Toby. Analyze the relationship between Toby and Harold. Incorporate multiple details into a brief paragraph to describe the benefits Harold receives from Toby, why Harold is closer to Toby than to Peter, and how Toby and Harold’s relationship supports the novel’s theme of Friendship. Use quotes from the text to support your response.

3. Though the reader is aware of the thoughts of Chester and Harold, Bunnicula’s thoughts and feelings are unknown to the audience. In an essay of at least three main points, consider the impact of Bunnicula’s silence in the story and how the story might have been different had Bunnicula been able to speak. Use evidence from the novel to justify your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What first triggers Chester’s suspicions about Bunnicula?

A) Harold causes Chester to feel suspicious of the rabbit.

B) He becomes jealous of the attention Bunnicula receives.

C) His thoughts about Bunnicula are influenced by his reading material.

D) Mr. Monroe instructs Chester to be cautious around the rabbit.

2. What does the Editor’s Note contribute to the novel?

A) Inspiration

B) Evidence

C) Curiosity

D) Credibility

3. Aside from humor, what is the predominant mood of Bunnicula?

A) Pessimistic

B) Suspenseful

C) Satirical

D) Peaceful

4. What comparison can be made between Chester’s character and Harold’s?

A) Harold tends to be relaxed, while Chester is more dramatic.

B) Chester is obedient, while Harold is rebellious.

C) Harold is often worried, while Chester is carefree.

D) Chester is often rebellious, while Harold is obedient.

5. Which quote from the novel best represents how the author conveys an eerie feeling?

A) “For a moment, panic seized me. I thought she’d run out of dog food. But then I remembered the events of the previous evening.” (Chapter 5)

B) “There was a flash of lightning, and in its glare, I noticed that Mr. Monroe was carrying a little bundle—a bundle with tiny glistening eyes.” (Chapter 1)

C) “I guess I realized that my heart just wasn’t in the destruction of the bunny vampire.” (Chapter 7)

D) “He’s a bunny and we found him at a Dracula movie, so we’ll call him Bunny-cula. Bunnicula!” (Chapter 1)

6. How is Chester’s behavior and thinking altered because of Bunnicula’s presence in the home?

A) He hoards food, fearing Bunnicula will eat it all.

B) His behavior becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic.

C) He spends more time with Harold to develop plots against the rabbit.

D) He begins to read more to analyze Bunnicula’s behaviors.

7. Why does the relationship between Harold and Chester become strained?

A) Harold comes to realize that Chester’s plans are not working, and Chester resents Harold’s doubt.

B) Chester attempts to force Harold to participate in his plans, but Harold refuses to help Chester each time.

C) Chester becomes frustrated with Harold’s disbelief in his theory, and Harold believes Chester’s perception has broken from reality.

D) Harold is afraid to involve himself with Chester because Chester’s behavior has put him at odds with the humans.

8. What movie serves as inspiration for Bunnicula’s name?

A) Mark of the Vampire

B) Dracula’s Daughter

C) The Vampire Bat

D) Dracula

9. How does Harold eventually overcome his fear of Bunnicula?

A) He takes time to develop a relationship with the bunny.

B) He helps the bunny acquire food, easing his suspicions.

C) He conducts research on bunnies and decides the rabbit’s behavior is typical.

D) He confronts the bunny to determine its motives.

10. Though Harold is often motivated by his good nature, what weakness does Chester exploit to convince Harold to participate in his plots?

A) Food

B) Simplicity

C) Fear

D) Loyalty

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Consider the novel’s conclusion with Chester’s new interest in self-help books and therapy. Do you believe Chester will recover from being emotionally overwrought or has he exchanged one obsession for another? Use details from the novel to support your response.

2. Compare the character traits of Chester and Harold. How do the characters exemplify typical cat and dog behavior?