Check Out My Newest Guest Post From Author Jeff Verney PLUS Learn About His New Book 'Bunnies To The Rescue!' PLUS A Giveaway! ~

This post is sponsored by Jeff Verney. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Behind the Scenes: How Nantucket Inspired Bunnies to the Rescue!

NANTUCKET

Twenty-five years ago, my family and I started a tradition of vacationing on Nantucket Island for a week each Summer. Each year we have rented a house in different locations on the island, giving us a chance to really get to know Nantucket. It’s a magical place with, among many other things, beautiful beaches, delightful activities for children, great seafood, and fabulous locations to read books (a key priority for the Verney family!). The island also provides a continuous opportunity to revel in the glorious gifts of nature, whether on land or in the ocean, day or night.

During our early years on Nantucket, we learned a lot about the island. We explored every nook and cranny of the island, and we devoured books in the Nantucket library. And, of course, we spent a lot of time in the two fabulous independent bookstores on Nantucket, inevitably heading home each year with a new stash of books.

BUNNIES

After a few years I felt like I knew everything I needed to know about Nantucket, but one summer I realized that no matter where we stayed on the island, there were always bunnies in the yard. And as I started to pay attention to the bunnies, the light finally went on that there were bunnies all over the island. I started thinking about all of the books that I had read about Nantucket, and none of them really mentioned the bunnies!

After noodling on this, about five years ago I thought “I should write a children’s picture book about the bunnies.” I spent two years thinking about possible story lines; I knew I wanted the book to have action and excitement while at the same time having a couple of high-level positive themes. And I wanted the book to be a visual love letter to Nantucket, featuring some of my family’s favorite places on Nantucket.

Finally, three summers ago I settled on one of the ideas I had that involved three bunnies trying to save a stuffed bunny whose family was taking it to different locations on the island. While on vacation in a house in Sconset, a village on the eastern edge of Nantucket, I sat at a picnic table in the back yard and wrote the first draft of the story as I watched bunnies hop back and forth across the yard. I also decided I would self-publish the book so that I could make the decision about the illustrator that I thought was best suited to work on the book.

MELISSA

I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators which gave me access to the portfolios of hundreds of different illustrators, and I literally looked at every single portfolio. As I pondered hundreds of illustrations, I kept returning to the portfolio of Melissa Bailey, who has illustrated dozens of children’s picture books, and decided she was just the illustrator I was looking for! I submitted a query through her website and was delighted to get her response that she was interested in illustrating the book.

As Melissa lives in the Midwest and had never been to Nantucket, I returned to Nantucket to take photographs and videos of the various locations in the story I could share with her, as well as sent her a couple of picture books of Nantucket. From the time I received her initial sketches through getting her completed colored illustrations, I felt like Melissa had lived on Nantucket and was inspired by its natural beauty, just as I have been since the first time I stepped on the island!

BOOK

Once the book was ready to go to print, I wanted to make sure I chose a printer who would perfectly duplicate the spectacular colors of Melissa’s illustrations that perfectly capture the delightful colors of Nantucket. When a dummy of the book arrived (which I had to approve before the book actually went to print) this past December, I was so happy as the book perfectly replicated Melissa’s illustrations, and I could feel the warmth of sunny days in Nantucket as I held the book in my hand.

After a four-month journey that involved ships, trains, and trucks to get the books from the overseas printer to my home in Connecticut, the books are ready to be shared with readers! I am happy to report that Melissa and I have already begun working on a sequel to the story that takes place on a beach at Nantucket which will be published early next year. And who knows, maybe the books will become a series given the continuous bounty of inspiration that Nantucket has provided me over the years. Gratitude Abounds!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bunnies to the Rescue!
Written by Jeff Verney

Illustrated by Melissa Bailey

Ages: 4-6 | 36 Pages

Publisher: PHT Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-218-52892-8

Publisher’s Book Summary: The Nantucket Bunnies think that a toy bunny has been captured by a boy and his family. It seems that the bunny is in constant danger as the family travels across Nantucket. But a surprise awaits the Nantucket bunnies when one of them finally gets to talk to the bunny!

PURCHASE LINK

Author’s Website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Verney, the Troubadour of Happiness, lives in an enchanted house in Connecticut where he creates stories and songs that bring happiness, hope, joy, and positivity to the world. Gratitude Abounds!

For more information, visit jeffverney.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Melissa Bailey, an award-winning illustrator of 60 books, lives on a dirt road in rural Michigan. There, she takes daily walks, dreams of ways to make the impossible possible, and always looks for silver linings.

For more information, visit mbaileyart.com.