Rabbit teaches geography lesson to Mercedes students

MERCEDES - Students at Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School received a tour of the United States, courtesy of a bunny.

David Love, photographer and author of "Buns Travels Across America," visited two elementary schools here Tuesday to speak to students about the "hare-y" travels of Buns Bunny.

Librarian Dahlia De La Cerda said students were excited to see the travelers and were preparing last week for the unique visit.

"They sparked the students' interest in geography and history," De La Cerda said. "And, along with seeing Buns, it's very unique because it emphasizes visual learning."

Love, of Waco, said he has traveled around the country since the book was published 15 years ago to teach students about animals and geography.

"I think the most obvious lesson was them seeing that a rabbit could be so relaxed and calm. He could not be spooked," Love said, petting the small bunny. "He likes the attention and likes to be friendly."

Love said the idea for the book didn't happen overnight. After Love bought Buns as a family pet, he noticed how the small animal would follow him around everywhere - even to the car for the weekly grocery trips.

"So then, instead of going to the grocery store we went on a trip to Boston, and that was the first trip with the rabbit," Love said. "And the fact that I was a photographer, I thought, ‘Why not document the rabbit travels with my family?' And that was the genesis of the idea."

The Buns who visited the students on Tuesday is actually Buns III.

His grandfather, who is featured in Love's books, has gone to that big rabbit hutch in the sky. Buns III now exercises his wanderlust, traveling to book promotions.

Buns III sat patiently, often hopping around a small table, while photographs of Buns at the Lincoln Memorial, meeting a buffalo or sitting on seaweed along the Gulf of Mexico were shown to the giggling students.

One historical site was easily identifiable to the South Texas students: the Alamo in San Antonio.

Mayra Rosales, a 9-year-old third grader, said she enjoyed seeing the photos of Buns Bunny and hoped to one day see the places Buns had visited.

"I am going with my aunts to the Alamo in the summer," Mayra said.

Love said he will visit schools in Harlingen, Raymondville and Los Fresnos this week, but will remember the students here.

"They were really well behaved. They seemed like little adults," Love said. "I was the one making all the trouble."