Bunnicula
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Bunnicula is a children's book series written by James Howe about a vampire-bunny that sucks the juice out of vegetables. It is also the name of the first book in the series, published 1979 (ISBN 0-689-80659-0).
The story is centered on the Monroe family and their pets and is told from the perspective of their dog Harold. The Monroes find a bunny at the cinema where they were watching a Dracula film. Because of this, they dub him Bunnicula. Their cat Chester, however, is convinced Bunnicula is a vampire and attempts to get Harold to help save the Monroes from the perceived menace.
A 1979 animated TV special (from Ruby-Spears) by the same name was created based on the first book and aired on the ABC Weekend Special.
In August 2008, a new book in the series will be published, Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allen Crow.
[edit] Characters throughout the series
Harold- As the main character, despite Bunnicula being the title-bearing character, Harold is an old, scruffy and loving dog under the Monroes' care. He narrates the books, sometimes even humorously claiming he would not even write the books if it weren't for Bunnicula. He enjoys his life with the Monroe family, particularly with the youngest child Toby, always being a diligent and loyal pet. His longtime friend is Chester the cat, who also lives under the Monroe household. Harold has a strong affection for chocolate cupcakes, as well as other typical snacks such as cheese crackers and fudge. In the first book, Harold sees Bunnicula for the first time, as well as seeing a bunny for the first time. While Bunnicula's vampire-like activities do scare him a little, he holds no grudges against the bunny, even befriending him. Unluckily, Chester, who has an outrageously vivid imagination and is narrow-minded, thinks Bunnicula is a real vampire and forces Harold to assist him to kill the rabbit. All attempts fail, and finally Harold goes against Chester's crazy attempts to do away with Bunnicula. Throughout the series, Harold is portrayed the same way, albeit being a bit dim-witted as the story progresses on (which subjects him to crude nicknames given to him by Chester). The other pet in the Monroe household is the care-free dachshund puppy, Howie, and he admires both Harold and Chester, as well as Bunnicula. Harold is dubbed as "Uncle Harold" by the puppy.
Chester- The highly vivid cat who devours good literature. He was given to Mr. Monroe as a birthday present, and the name "Chester" was derived from G. K. Chesterton. Ever since Bunnicula's arrival, Chester becomes increasingly aware that the bunny could be a threat to the household. Harold and eventually Howie objects to that notion, but Chester has remained firm that Bunnicula is a true vampire. Albeit an intellectual cat, he becomes carried away with his imagination and narrow-mindedness. He once tried to kill Bunnicula by using a steak (not a stake), a mistake that always greet him with embarrassing memories. Another time he led Harold and Howie on a chase around Centerville, "murdering" vampire vegetables, which were in fact the leftover meals from Bunnicula. Too many times he made crazy attempts to eliminate Bunnicula, all which naturally fail. He usually calls both of his canine friends "dolts", "simpletons", or "idiots." He is known not to apologize for his errors that greatly affect Harold, instead referring them as "a slight misinterpretation in the facts." He is also known as "Pop" to Howie. Despite having a tense relationship with Bunnicula, deep down he accepts him as one of the family. Chester was named Fluffy for a short time before.
Bunnicula- The bunny with strange eating habits and strange vampire-like qualities, Bunnicula came to the Monroe household on a dark, stormy night. Toby found him in the theater and brought him home, where Mrs. Monroe brought up the clever name Bunnicula. He is subjected to many murder attempts by Chester, who thinks the rabbit would actually become carnivorous. However, his "indestructable" stature proves to Chester that he cannot be killed. Bunnicula cannot talk, but exhibits similar physical emotions all the same, such as winking or crying. His eating habit enables him to bite onto vegetables and suck the juice out of them, similar to the method Dracula dines. Instead of buck teeth like all rabbits, Bunnicula has fangs. When Bunnicula goes into vampire form, he sprouts bat wings under his arms and his eyes turn yellow. His vampire powers include flight, hypnosis and levitation. He remains part of the Monroe family, often treated with the utmost respect by everyone, including the other pets.
Howie- The young, care-free, and sometimes dim dachshund puppy who was adopted by the Monroes from Chataeu Bow-Wow. He usually does not understand the seriousness of matters, thinking murdering vampire vegetables is a game and chasing Bunnicula is a race. He did not even know what a vampire was when Chester informed him about Bunnicula, though up to date he does not think the bunny is a danger. For an unknown reason, he calls Harold and Chester "Uncle Harold" and "Pop", respectively. His hobbies include chewing on the rug, eating, chasing cars, and barking.
Robert Monroe- He is the husband of Ann Monroe and the father of Peter and Toby Monroe. He works as a college professor, and his knack for reading classical literature enabled Chester to read as well.
Ann Monroe- She is Robert's wife and the mother of Peter and Toby Monroe. She thought up of the name Bunnicula by combining "Bunny" and "Dracula". Her occupation as a lawyer makes her a good and strict mother.
Peter Monroe- The oldest of two boys who slacks off often. He usually bullies his younger brother Toby and the pets, except for Bunnicula. Often selfish, Harold avoids him, but Howie finds him intriguing, mainly because of the books he reads. Chester finds him indifferent.
Toby Monroe- The youngest of two, he is more dignified and kinder than Peter. He likes to share his snacks with Harold during his late-night readings, and is adored by Chester and Howie.
