I got this softcover from a local Goodwill thrift shop, for another release copy.

This slim softcover is a very charming story indeed. It's set in "sunny Provence", where the Spinach Main is a small cafe run by two rabbits, M. Lapin, the host, and M. Blanc, the chef. "There is something nautical about the pair. Perhaps they are really pirates? Who knows? They will not say."

One is drawn with an eyepatch and a peg leg, and the other wears a sailor-style red-and-white-striped shirt, which is certainly suggestive. But while the rabbits do not talk about their past, the reader gets more info: there's a scene with the two reminiscing about the lively days in their youth - and arguing about who rescued whom from the attacking buccaneers. Just as it seems they're about to draw swords to decide the question, they both shrug it off with "Ah well, perhaps my memory is not so good as it was," and get back to running their cafe.

But all is not well; a sly fox is visiting the cafe, and while he accepts the standard vegetarian fair, he sends compliments to the chef: "I look forward to eating you - I mean, eating here again, soon." (Subtle, eh? [grin}) The story proceeds with the fox making various attempts on the rabbits, which they fend off one way or another - but whenever one suggests fighting the fox outright, the other urges a wait-and-see tactic.

The fox gets bolder and eyes the other restaurant patrons as well as the rabbits - families of mice, ducks, etc. often visit here. He notes "Such tasty patrons! I mean, portions!" But M. Lapin insists "We are men of peace now. We do not fight." But they must do something to defend themselves and their clientele; whatever will they do?

I found the whole story very charming, from the retired-badass rabbits to the details of their menu, as well as the lovely illustrations of the countryside. And the clever way they chose to deal with their menacing customer amused me very much.

The whole thing is quite low-key, despite M. Fox's threats, and I don't know if I'd have liked it as much when I was a kid as I do now when I'm more able to sympathize with a pair of long-retired adventurers. But I adore it, and now I'm going to have to find more copies!

I left this book in the Little Free Library on the ferry dock - there's a lovely view of the harbor, of planes coming in to Logan airport, and of course all the boats. Hope the finder enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]