Hop on over to the Bolivar Library for Reading with Rabbits

Giant Flemish rabbits have very long ears, which makes them good listeners, especially if you’re a kid and you choose just the right story to read to them. On Saturday, Feb. 17, kids lined up at the Bolivar Library to read to Tucker, a Giant Flemish bunny. If you missed it, you have two more chances this spring to meet and read to Tucker.

When he’s not doing a book tour, Tucker lives with seven other Giant Flemish rabbits in air-conditioned splendor at the home of Dave and Debbie Meeker at Nonna’s Bunny Farm on Welton Road in Wilkshire Hills.

Kids who register at the Bolivar Library for the March 9 or April 13 event will get 15 minutes to show off their reading skills while Tucker takes it all in. Only four slots are available.

“The idea is to let kids read to an animal instead of a person so you can make mistakes and it won’t judge you or make fun,” said Courtney Wallace, Bolivar Library manager.

This is not Tucker’s first rodeo. He and his brother Charlie made an appearance at the Bolivar Library’s Easter egg hunt. Tucker also visited Tusky Valley Preschool last year.

A bit about the bunny

The origin of Giant Flemish rabbits dates back to the 16th center in Northern Belgium. In the 1890s breeders began bringing the rabbits to the United States.

The average Flemish Giant weighs about 15 pounds, which makes the 4-year-old Tucker average. But don’t tell him that.

Flemish Giants come in seven solid colors. Tucker is a fawn, but there also are sandy, black, blue, light gray, steel gray and white. Known as gentle giants, the Giant Flemish breed may just be the perfect breed to read to.

Dave Meeker, also known as the bunny whisperer, first became interested in the Flemish Giants as a kid when his grandfather had one in the barn at their Wadsworth farm. “They’ll come right up to you,” Meeker said. “He’ll jump right up on the couch with me too.”

It was hard to tell which book was Tucker’s favorite. Aron McGuckin, a kindergartner, read from “Fun with Dick and Jane” to Tucker. Little sister Lydia isn’t quite reading age yet, but that didn’t stop her from showing Tucker the pictures in “When Spring Comes.” The McGuckins are the children of Anna and Josiah McGuckin of Bolivar.

Tucker seemed to perk up a bit as Lilly Stewart, a fourth-grader, read from her “Strawberry Shortcake” book.

While Tucker seemed attentive during all readings, it’s also possible he was sleeping, as rabbits do sleep with their eyes open.

Upcoming programs at the Bolivar Library include the Easter egg hunt on March 9, Grassheads Craft for kindergarten through fifth grade on April 20 and St. Patrick’s Day Craft for birth to age 5. All programs require registration, and attendance is limited.

To register your child for Reading with Rabbits, the Easter egg hunt or any Bolivar Library program, call 330-874-2720. The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 1-8 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.