‘Don’t Pat the Bunny’ Review: A Tactile Farmyard Board Book for Young Readers

A simple instruction can give a young child a satisfying job: listen, look, and decide whether to follow directions. In Don’t Pat the Bunny, LeeAnn Dominick turns that premise into a tactile farmyard read-aloud. Old MacDonald asks the reader not to touch the animals; when the reader does, things go wrong. The reviewer’s five-star response suggests the book’s appeal lies in the combination of playful mischief and distinct textures to explore.

Book details

Title: Don’t Pat the Bunny
Author: LeeAnn Dominick
Genre: Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Format: Board book
Release date: August 25, 2026
Rating: ★★★★★

A farmyard game built around touch

The book invites children to help Old MacDonald on his farm, while giving them a rule that’s tempting to break: don’t touch the animals. Each time the reader touches one, something goes wrong. That creates a small, repeatable source of suspense—not a complicated plot, but a playful pattern that gives a child a reason to anticipate what might happen after each page.

For a shared reading session, that pattern offers a natural role for the listener. An adult can pause over Old MacDonald’s warning, let a child decide what to do, then turn the page together. The pleasure comes from taking part rather than simply hearing a story read aloud. The reviewer doesn’t describe the individual mishaps, so readers can discover those surprises with a child rather than have them spelled out in advance.

The tactile element is central to the recommendation. The reviewer particularly liked that every animal has a different texture. That variety gives little hands something new to notice as the book moves from one animal to the next, and it makes the act of touching part of the reading experience rather than an extra activity added afterward.

Who may enjoy it

Don’t Pat the Bunny looks suited to families seeking an interactive board book for a young child who enjoys reaching for textures and joining in with a story. Its premise is easy to grasp, and the repeated warning gives an adult a simple way to involve a child: ask whether they should obey Old MacDonald, then see what happens when they don’t.

The reviewer calls it “a fun board book” and awards it five stars. That’s one reader’s assessment, but the reasons behind it are clear: the touch-and-feel format, the variety between the animals, and a mischievous setup that encourages participation. Readers looking for a detailed plot or an extended story may want more information before choosing it; the review focuses on the book’s basic farmyard premise and tactile appeal.

For parents and caregivers, the format also points toward a practical kind of repeat reading. Children can revisit the textures, remember the rule, and take an active part in the same sequence again. The book’s central joke depends on that familiarity: a warning is given, a curious reader acts, and the farmyard routine goes awry. The available review doesn’t specify the book’s page count, the exact materials used for each texture, or the age range recommended by the publisher, so those details are best checked in the book’s listing or on the finished copy.

Review notes

Jill, who writes Jill’s Book Blog, says Taffy Tales provided her with a copy as part of a sponsored arrangement. Her reaction is enthusiastic, especially about the different textures assigned to the animals. With its August 25, 2026 release date, the book offers a straightforward choice for readers drawn to tactile stories and playful read-alouds; its strongest selling point, as described in the review, is the chance for children to take part with their hands as well as their attention.

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About the reviewer

Jill lives in Toronto, Canada, and has studied English, Creative Writing, and Publishing. She created Jill’s Book Blog, where she publishes book reviews and other posts.

View all posts by Jill