"Umber was an orange bunny. He lived in a troubled land."

So begins The Color of My Fur, a poignant picture book for ages 5-9 and the grown-ups who love them.

When a group of purple bunnies chase Umber from the forest, he scurries to the highest ledge of the tallest mountain for safety. Enter Cloud, a wise and gentle mist, who simply cannot understand why having different color fur makes the bunnies dislike each other so much.

"You all have long ears and cottony tails," Cloud points out, but Umber remains convinced that fur color alone is reason enough for the bunnies to fight. "It's just the way it is," Umber explains, unwilling to accept blame, or even try to see the need for change.

But why won't Umber and the other bunnies listen? What will it take to bring peace to the forest?

As a new mom, Nannette Brophy Major wrote and illustrated The Color of My Fur in an effort to make the world a better place for her little one. Now that that little one has little ones, grandma Nannette (a.k.a. Lolli) is as determined as ever to share the story of the orange and purple bunnies, and how they come to realize "it's what's inside that counts."

Children and adults of all ages are encouraged to read The Color of My Fur and discover how dull, not to mention confusing the world would be if we all looked alike.

So 'hop' to it, fellow bunnies of the forest! Open The Color of My Fur, and your mind. The lesson is waiting. Learn it. Live it.