First Jackalope

The jackalope is a make-believe character found mainly in the western and southwestern states as well as in some northwestern mountain regions of the United States.The story of The First Jackalope begins with Fancy, a raccoon; Nonnie, a possum; and Hamilton, a porcupine discussing a strange animal seen by Nonnie--a rabbit with antlers! They are overheard by a wise old owl named Dressler. In his mind, Dressler begins to recall a story he heard many years ago about an animal called a jackalope.As Dressler remembers the old tale, the reader is brought into the story and begins to hear about the events that happened long ago. Dressler remembers how a rabbit named Jack rescued an antelope named Douglas.Douglas has a problem: he's caught between two boulders and is discovered by a rabbit named Jack. The reader lives the adventures as Jack tries several different ways to save Douglas. He is eventually successful and frees Douglas. As a result of Jack keeping his word, he is rewarded with a set of magical antlers by Douglas's antelope family.In the meantime, the three animals--Nonnie, Fancy, and Hamilton--are waiting for Dressler to finish his nap so they can also hear the story.This is a fiction story, but the theme is real. The book teaches the importance of keeping a promise, helping and caring for others, and realizing that we may not look the same on the outside, but we are very much alike on the inside.