Peacebunny Island: The Extraordinary Journey of a Boy and His Comfort Rabbits, and How They’re Teaching Us about Hope and Kindness

The incredible true story of a boy who is changing the world through kindness . . . one bunny at a time.Meet Caleb Smith: a young man who, at age 8, decided to follow his dream to train endangered and rescued rabbits to become therapy animals. Today, 16-year-old Caleb is an entrepreneur who owns and operates a private 22-acre Mississippi River sanctuary called Peacebunny Island. The deal is simple: he saves the rabbits, and they help save us. Driven by an unbreakable desire to spread kindness and compassion, Caleb?s adventures include:Founding a program of therapy rabbits who visit with veterans, senior citizens, families with special needs, and much moreEmbarking on a quest along the Mississippi River to develop the site that would become Peacebunny IslandOvercoming challenges and obstacles along the way, while never giving upBecoming an advocate for animal rescue, comfort animal training, and endangered species preservationInspiring hope and possibility in the next generation of young people.Readers who love animal stories like We Bought a Zoo, Watership Down, and Marley & Me will treasure Peacebunny Island?an unforgettable journey of determination and faith destined to touch hearts around the world. Review Smith tells his endearing, inspirational life story in this charming debut. After his pet rabbit Snickers died, the then-eight-year-old Minnesotan decided to start a rabbit rescue (with the support of his parents). He expanded his mission to include having the rabbits serve as emotional support animals, and soon Smith convinced his parents to help fund a breeding and foster program that matched people suffering from ?loneliness, trauma, and grief? with a support bunny. Smith, now 16, eloquently describes how the animals brought peace to those who were suffering, including bullied children and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Smith also introduces readers to an irresistible cadre of rabbits on his path to establishing Peacebunny Island, the bunny-filled oasis on a small island in the Upper Mississippi River where his work continues. The author?s enthusiasm is infectious, and the teenager shows wisdom beyond his years: ?If you worry too much about what might happen in the future, you might miss out on what?s happening right in front of you.? Readers of self-help will appreciate these lessons in kindness, compassion, and ingenuity.Publishers Weekly Review This is the story of a boy with a vision to make the world a better place through the power of bunnies. Caleb?s rabbits are fully alive and brimming with their own unique thoughts, opinions, and personalities. Most of all, however, they are curious and empathetic beings that generously offer unconditional love and affection to those who need it. There are big dreams on every page of this unique and joyful story, written by an unstoppable young man who cares deeply about others and offers himself, his bunnies, and now his island as an oasis brimming with hope, hops, and heart.Susy Flory, NYT bestselling author and coauthor, writers conference director, mom of a rescued racehorse, and part-time squirrel nursery attendantPeacebunny Island is an absolutely delightful and deeply insightful book. Caleb Smith writes with the optimism and authenticity of the young man he is and with the hard-earned wisdom and insight of the old soul that lies within. If you find yourself in need of comfort?or of a reminder of the good that still exists in this world?the precious bunnies of Peacebunny Island stand ready to hop into your heart and fill your soul with peace.Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, Author of Joey and PawverbsPeacebunny Island is a heartwarming story that will encourage your soul. Enjoy the improbable tale of a young boy parlaying his love for rescued rabbits to make a real difference. I love the sweet reminder of how God uses the childlike faith of Caleb Smith to accomplish His purpos