In "The Sleepless Bunny," the magic once soothing Bunny to sleep vanishes, leading to restless nights and lonely days. Despite endless efforts, relief is elusive. Could some problems be truly unsolvable? This touching tale explores the transformative power of adjusting our mindset when facing the unchangeable.
"Vivid illustrations and sensitive storytelling transform the anxieties of sleepless nights into peaceful and loving adventures. Perfect bedtime reading for children and adults alike!" —Mak Su-yin (musicologist, librettist and translator)/麥淑賢(音樂及翻譯工作者)
曾任台灣首屆《獨書獎》主題音樂創作人,亦曾是劉以達樂隊成員及潘源良《生炒廣東話之有辣有唔辣》及《二創人生音樂會》的音樂總監。香港插畫師協會專業會員,曾獲「中華區最佳品牌插畫獎」。她近年將希伯來文書法、音樂與文字交織,創作靈修歷程《HE》(祂的希伯來名字),並將音樂製作成獨立專輯《HE - A Pilgrimage》。
努力成為自己也想遇見的人。
Rita Ip was born in Hong Kong, grew up in Toronto, lived under feline rule before marriage, and now resides in Taiwan. A multidisciplinary creator, she works across music, visual arts, illustration, and Hebrew calligraphy.
Rita composed the theme music for Taiwan's inaugural Dushu Awards, performed with Tats Lau's band, and served as music director for Calvin Poon's Canton Nightmare and You Not Only Live Twice. As a professional member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators, she won the Greater China Illustration Awards for Best Brand Illustration. Her recent project, HE, interweaves Hebrew calligraphy, music, and writing, culminating in the music album HE - A Pilgrimage.
She aspires to be the kind of person she'd love to meet.
Insomnia once lingered as an uninvited guest in my life.
In those restless nights, I faced my most fragile self—exhausted, disconnected, and falling short in every way. Unable to give or receive, I retreated into silence. I let my experiences settle and take shape through illustration and music, channeling them into a story featuring my favorite creatures—rabbits and cats.
This is how The Sleepless Bunny came to life.
The story reflects my journey, while its visual style mirrors my inner state. During those sleepless nights, I felt like a hollow shell, adrift in a vibrant world. To portray this, the scenes are vivid with color, while the characters remain uncolored—black-and-white lines etched with traces of struggle.
Here are two little secrets Bunny doesn't know: First, Mel is melatonin—a sleep hormone that helps us rest. Second, Big Fish isn't fictional. In my life, as in Bunny's story, this cat appeared like an angel.
Every challenge begins a journey. Along the way, you might discover meteors only you can see and melodies only you can hear.
About Insomnia and The Sleepless Bunny
Calvin Poon (Lyricist, screenwriter and film director)
This is said to be a children's book, but most children sleep soundly, don't they? The thought of parents reading The Sleepless Bunny to their kids in both Chinese and English before bed just makes me admire the author's dark humor.
Insomnia is one of life's inevitable hurdles, and this book could serve as "personal growth education." Why does Bunny lose sleep? How does he navigate it? The encounters along the way offer room for parents to interpret. Helping kids understand insomnia early may prepare them to face it more gracefully later in life.
On a personal note, I was once a sleepless child. I often lay awake on the top bunk in our crowded home, overhearing my parents' hushed conversations—matters of the world, family tales, and unspoken emotions. In hindsight, those moments felt like a picture book.