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Morris's Disappearing Bag
Bestselling author Rosemary Wells tells a heartfelt holiday story The Chicago Tribune calls “One of the best.”
It’s Christmas day and Morris is missing. He was there to open his present—a teddy bear—and to watch his older sisters and brother open their gifts. His siblings went off to play with each other’s new toys, but nobody wanted to play with Morris’s bear. So Morris found something new to play with—a disappearing bag. He jumped right in and became invisible! Now he has something everybody wants to try. But they have to find him first. This warm and humorous story proves that sometimes the littlest bunny gets the last laugh.
* “Irresistible . . . The author-artist does some wonderful things with Morris’s cars and eyes, expressing exactly the sentiments of a put-out preschool rabbit.”— Booklist , starred review
It’s Christmas day and Morris is missing. He was there to open his present—a teddy bear—and to watch his older sisters and brother open their gifts. His siblings went off to play with each other’s new toys, but nobody wanted to play with Morris’s bear. So Morris found something new to play with—a disappearing bag. He jumped right in and became invisible! Now he has something everybody wants to try. But they have to find him first. This warm and humorous story proves that sometimes the littlest bunny gets the last laugh.
* “Irresistible . . . The author-artist does some wonderful things with Morris’s cars and eyes, expressing exactly the sentiments of a put-out preschool rabbit.”— Booklist , starred review
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
5 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Wells
484 books374 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 14, 2015
Aww, every one shares the presents! What nice siblings. They aren't trying to be mean to little Morris, they just think he is too young for hockey and chemistry and lipstick.
December 4, 2015
I have read many books by Rosemary Wells ever since I was a child and this book is no exception! “Morris’s Disappearing Bag” is a children’s book by Rosemary Wells that is about a young bunny named Morris who had received a teddy bear that none of his siblings wanted to play with, but later on finds a mysterious package under the tree. “Morris’s Disappearing Bag” is a really cute book that children everywhere will definitely love!
Oh my goodness! This book has always been an adorable treat for me for many years! Rosemary Wells had done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this cute story about sharing and what I really loved about Rosemary Wells’ writing is that it is cute and creative, especially during the part where Morris receives a gift that no other child could ever receive! I also enjoyed the theme of this story as it portrays the importance of sharing and I thought that it was really cute about the way that Morris shared his gift with his siblings after he receives the special gift. Rosemary Wells’ illustrations are extremely cute, especially of the images of Morris himself as being the youngest rabbit in the family, he is drawn with Christmas styled overalls that have hollies all over it and I loved the way that the rabbits all have round bodies and short little ears that really make them look extremely cute!
Probably the only con in this book is that Morris’s siblings seem to snub Morris because of his gift, even though Morris is too young to play with their toys. However, I think this situation is redeemed towards the end, but it would be great to see Morris’s siblings try to make an attempt at sharing with Morris so that way Morris would not feel left out.
Overall, “Morris’s Disappearing Bag” is a truly cute and great book for kids who love Christmas books and learning about how to share with siblings. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
December 2, 2012
As a child, this was my brother's and my favorite book - happy memories of my grandmother reading this to us. Now I read this book to my children. I read it for the first time to my 4-year old last night. After I finished, he recounted the book to me in a way that I had never seen the book before. To him, it is a book about injustice. The injustice of the youngest not getting a good toy and painfully observing his older siblings. And of justice, when he finds the best toy of all. And of redemption, as we see a look of pure joy on the underdog's face going up the stairs at night. A message I would have missed, were it not for my son's interpretation. No wonder this book has lasted from one generation to the next.
December 28, 2013
When my brother (who is five years younger than me) was little, he had this book - a much earlier edition, of course, with slightly different illustrations (different compositions, some of the details are different). I loved it, as I loved so many of his picture books, so I was full of excited nostalgia to read it again - and introduce it to my boy.
It's Christmas morning. Morris is a young rabbit with three older siblings: Victor, Rose and Betty. Victor gets a hockey outfit for Christmas. Rose gets a beauty kit, and Betty gets a chemistry set. Morris gets a bear. Victor, Rose and Betty have lots of fun with their presents, and when they've had a turn they switch:
Morris wants to play, too, but they say he's too young and too little and too silly to play with their things - and no one wants Morris's bear. His parents try to console him but he sulks and won't join them at dinner. While they're eating, Morris notices an overlooked present under the tree. In it is a disappearing bag. Morris climbs in side and disappears. His siblings can't find him anywhere, but when he comes out they all want a turn.
Victor, Rose and Betty all disappear inside the bag, and Morris plays with the hockey gear, the chemistry set and the beauty kit until bedtime.
This is one of my favourite picture books, and I'm so glad it's still in print. It's one that really makes me laugh, with jokes that I got as a kid and still delight me as an adult (I just love the line, "and Rose invented a new gas"; there are others just as funny). As one of the younger kids in my family, I could certainly identify with Morris who has older, more sophisticated siblings who won't let him play with their sophisticated toys. And I could certainly relate to Morris when he sits in the corner, sulking, and then crawls into a bag to disappear.
At its heart, it is of course partly about sharing, and being nice to people. But like all good picture books, it's so much more than basic messaging. The illustrations are really engaging too, not precise or too realistic, but bold and colourful and with a hint of childlike two-dimensional simplicity. I don't want that to sound in the slightest way negative. It's interesting, actually, comparing this contemporary edition with my brother's older version, and seeing how much Wells' illustrations have been fine-tuned and improved. The style is the same, but the lines are more confident and the composition better. Paired with the engaging story, this is truly a delightful book.
Incidentally, I remember back in Toronto on the kids' cartoon channel (what was it called, Treefrog? something like that) there was a cartoon that I didn't like very much, about two rabbit siblings called Ruby and Max. It was only while I was looking up this book that I learned the cartoon is based on other books about those two characters by Rosemary Wells. I should have recognised the style of drawing, but I had forgotten all about this book until I had it in my hands again just recently.
It's Christmas morning. Morris is a young rabbit with three older siblings: Victor, Rose and Betty. Victor gets a hockey outfit for Christmas. Rose gets a beauty kit, and Betty gets a chemistry set. Morris gets a bear. Victor, Rose and Betty have lots of fun with their presents, and when they've had a turn they switch:
All Christmas day Victor played hockey and Rose made herself beautiful and Betty mixed acids.
And then Betty made herself beautiful and Victor sorted test tubes and Rose played left wing.
And then Victor made himself beautiful and Betty played goalie and Rose invented a new gas.
Morris wants to play, too, but they say he's too young and too little and too silly to play with their things - and no one wants Morris's bear. His parents try to console him but he sulks and won't join them at dinner. While they're eating, Morris notices an overlooked present under the tree. In it is a disappearing bag. Morris climbs in side and disappears. His siblings can't find him anywhere, but when he comes out they all want a turn.
Victor, Rose and Betty all disappear inside the bag, and Morris plays with the hockey gear, the chemistry set and the beauty kit until bedtime.
This is one of my favourite picture books, and I'm so glad it's still in print. It's one that really makes me laugh, with jokes that I got as a kid and still delight me as an adult (I just love the line, "and Rose invented a new gas"; there are others just as funny). As one of the younger kids in my family, I could certainly identify with Morris who has older, more sophisticated siblings who won't let him play with their sophisticated toys. And I could certainly relate to Morris when he sits in the corner, sulking, and then crawls into a bag to disappear.
At its heart, it is of course partly about sharing, and being nice to people. But like all good picture books, it's so much more than basic messaging. The illustrations are really engaging too, not precise or too realistic, but bold and colourful and with a hint of childlike two-dimensional simplicity. I don't want that to sound in the slightest way negative. It's interesting, actually, comparing this contemporary edition with my brother's older version, and seeing how much Wells' illustrations have been fine-tuned and improved. The style is the same, but the lines are more confident and the composition better. Paired with the engaging story, this is truly a delightful book.
Incidentally, I remember back in Toronto on the kids' cartoon channel (what was it called, Treefrog? something like that) there was a cartoon that I didn't like very much, about two rabbit siblings called Ruby and Max. It was only while I was looking up this book that I learned the cartoon is based on other books about those two characters by Rosemary Wells. I should have recognised the style of drawing, but I had forgotten all about this book until I had it in my hands again just recently.
June 4, 2008
This book perfectly encapsulates what I imagine it is like to be the baby of the family. Plus Rosemary Wells has a quirky sensibility. You have got to love an author that writes: "All Christmas day Victor played hockey and Rose made herself beautiful and Betty mixed acids". The words and pictures are equally sweet and silly. Besides, who hasn't wished to be invisible every now and then?
December 31, 2017
Still one of the most delightful books from my childhood!
December 24, 2023
It was Christmas morning. “Wow!” said Morris.
Wow indeed – what a delightful illustrated story from Rosemary Wells this is, not saccharine sweet as some Christmas-set tales are but perfectly capturing how a child’s momentary disappointment, particularly at this hyped-up time of year, can with a bit of imagination be turned around.
Anybody who doesn’t remember the family Christmas only rarely matching every expectation is either amnesiac or kidding themselves. For Morris, the baby of this particular family, feels frustrated when things don’t go the way he hoped and soon withdraws from the day’s proceedings.
But then, out of the corner of his eye he spots a package that somehow has been overlooked. When he opens it what will he find? Well, of course you’ve guessed it – the title rather gives it away! Who wouldn’t want one? But is it a bag that disappears, or is it one that a certain somebody can disappear into? Or is it in fact both?
What has happened is that none of Morris’s older siblings want to play with his lovely teddy bear but he does very much want to have a try of Victor’s hockey outfit, Rose’s beauty kit, and Betty’s chemistry set. But they say he’s too young, too little, and too silly to be trusted with their presents.
That sense of feeling excluded as a youngster will be familiar to many of us, making Morris’s obvious and very mournful disengagement very understandable. And so what’s in that overlooked package under the Christmas tree proves to be both the physical and the symbolic statement of his virtual withdrawal as he crawls into the Disappearing Bag, only the tips of ears showing. (Oh, didn’t I mention it? Morris and his family are rabbits.)
Now he’s got their attention: now they’re worried about his absence, and only now when he reveals his presence they’re happy to let him play with their presents, so long as Betty, Rose and Victor can play with his Disappearing Bag.
I can’t tell you how moving this apparently slight story book is, revealing the hopes and fears that a child might harbour concerning this much anticipated annual feast day. Rosemary Wells tells her story in such a disarming way, mostly in single sentences simply expressed as captions to accompany each illustration.
And what illustrations they are – artlessly inked outlines with minimal decorative effects, the characters’ faces subtly revealing thoughts and emotions with a few judiciously placed lines. Her artwork is reminiscent at times of Maurice Sendak or even Richard Scarry – never cutesy even when delineating anthropomorphic animals – generously inviting the innocent eye to rove around the pages.
There are lots of little delightful details such as the fabric penguin doll, seen in the first double page spread patched and lying abandoned by a chair (it can be seen there, still untouched, in the penultimate picture), and the leporine version of Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ on the wall during the Christmas lunch of . . . carrot soup, and the temporarily scorned teddy bear present finally loved and taken to bed.
But we’re all left wondering about Victor’s anxious query delivered as Morris is carried up to his bedroom: “I hope you remember where you put the bag.” Because, of course, it’s a Disappearing Bag. Where has it gone?
December 10, 2014
I think this is one of Rosemary Wells' best. I've always loved her illustrations. This one I like seeing the youngest child (:-}) being clever and being able to still enjoy the things that he is told he is too young for. I wouldn't have minded just having the teddy bear, though.
12/10/14 I was sure I'd read this before in storytime. Hmm. Oh well. Used as my opener for today. I've been getting more of a 3-year old crowd than my usually 4-5, so I've been pointing out more in the illustrations and such. I asked the kids if they would like the different toys that the kids got. That hooked them at the beginning, then I had them looking for Morris in the pictures and that kept them in. It went very well. A great choice.
12/10/14 I was sure I'd read this before in storytime. Hmm. Oh well. Used as my opener for today. I've been getting more of a 3-year old crowd than my usually 4-5, so I've been pointing out more in the illustrations and such. I asked the kids if they would like the different toys that the kids got. That hooked them at the beginning, then I had them looking for Morris in the pictures and that kept them in. It went very well. A great choice.
November 30, 2014
I love Christmas books so I was excited to read this one to the kids just for that. The story was really cute so that made it even better. It made me grateful yet again for Rosemary Wells and her bunnies.
December 10, 2022
My two year old loves this book. We got it from the library and have had to read it once or twice every night for almost two weeks. I don’t really understand why she loves it so much but she does. Her favorite pages are when Morris is in the bag but his feet and tail are sticking out so that’s all you can see of him. She has to point out where he is every time we read it.
July 24, 2012
The kids both liked this one, and were laughing at how much fun Morris was having messing with his siblings' minds. I loved how Rosemary Wells captured the way in which children play with each other's gifts on Christmas. If all bags were like Morris's, I can see why packaging is often so much more entertaining than the toy that comes in it!
December 15, 2019
A great little Chistmasy story, and a particular hit with the younger child.
***
Wow, I'm amazed that all the times I've read this, it's never before been in December. Probably because inexplicably I don't own a copy. This was the one on display that sucked me into the picture books. I really was only running into the library to return some things. But then nostalgia.
Library copy
***
Wow, I'm amazed that all the times I've read this, it's never before been in December. Probably because inexplicably I don't own a copy. This was the one on display that sucked me into the picture books. I really was only running into the library to return some things. But then nostalgia.
Library copy
January 31, 2014
Not a bad story about how children often share (Or don't as the case may be) also how they can be envious of anothers toy. Not a bad story, but not a great one. The artwork is acceptable, if simple, but not great. The rabbits in particular failed to impress me. Cute book about how children playing together, receive gifts, etc.
December 15, 2014
Our family reads this story every year before Christmas. I love that the kids play with each other's gifts, with no regard for gender stereotypes: boy and girl bunnies alike play hockey and experiment with a chemistry set and "beautify" with cosmetics. I also love that Wells provides no explanation for where the disappearing bag came from or how it works. Matter-of-factly charming!
December 30, 2014
I wanted to like this book much more than I did.
I just never believed the idea of a disappearing bag.
I liked his bear though and wondered why Morris didn't. And I didn't understand why he didn't want to make his bear a hat or take his bear for a walk.
I just never believed the idea of a disappearing bag.
I liked his bear though and wondered why Morris didn't. And I didn't understand why he didn't want to make his bear a hat or take his bear for a walk.
January 3, 2016
This was one of my favorite childhood books, and as I reread it today for the first time in more than a decade I was no less enthralled. The illustrations are delightful, emotive, telling, and the humorous spare text has stayed with me for years.
March 20, 2017
I re-read this every Xmas and often in between. Just re-read it last night and it is just as funny and charming as it was the first time.
May 26, 2011
This book caught me off guard. I'm sure my kids were wondering why I was laughing. (The humor is very subtle.) I felt a little silly after my wife read it and said, "You thought that was funny?"
December 17, 2011
A Christmas story where the child enjoys it so much more when his older siblings disappear for the day...realistic I guess.
February 24, 2015
We read some of the Max & Ruby books before, but this will have me searching out more bunny books. Super cute and I love the siblings!
September 2, 2018
I have much to say about this book, but to simplify: CHEMICALS.
March 18, 2017
so happy found my original copy (from many many years ago). only now reading it as an adult do I think I actually get what is going on. Also I just love the siblings' comments...
May 20, 2018
This was a very cute book!!! My daughter just loved listening to it. Short so still good for young readers with short attention spans.
January 23, 2020
4.7 stars
I think the creativity and originality of the
plot of this book is very great.
The illustrations are nice and attractive
and very appropriate.
I was impressed by the fact that Morris's
parents were aware of the fact that he was
not totally happy and tried to help him.
Why he didn't want to make a hat for the
teddy bear or take it for a walk I am not
sure. I actually thought his gift was
quite nice but perhaps you couldn't do
as much with it.
Obviously this book is a fantasy. Therefore
you have to expect certain elements of the
fantastic.
I almost wonder whether this book in some
ways would appeal more to adults than to
children.
Really one of the better children's picture
book I have ever read.
I think the creativity and originality of the
plot of this book is very great.
The illustrations are nice and attractive
and very appropriate.
I was impressed by the fact that Morris's
parents were aware of the fact that he was
not totally happy and tried to help him.
Why he didn't want to make a hat for the
teddy bear or take it for a walk I am not
sure. I actually thought his gift was
quite nice but perhaps you couldn't do
as much with it.
Obviously this book is a fantasy. Therefore
you have to expect certain elements of the
fantastic.
I almost wonder whether this book in some
ways would appeal more to adults than to
children.
Really one of the better children's picture
book I have ever read.
December 15, 2023
Rosemary Wells always has had a great knack for understanding the world of small children and placing her characters in realistic situations that children can relate to. This wonderful holiday story has always been an annual favorite and I enjoy sharing it with the youngest of audiences - and a few older ones too. Poor Morris - he's the youngest of the family and his older siblings feel he is much too young to share their holiday presents with -- a hockey stick; a beauty kit; and a chemistry set. That is until late on Christmas Day - Morris finds a special gift that allows him to get a turn with all of the other presents! Without giving too much away, it is in the title! - and it just might be the best present of all. This is a fun holiday book, like so many others, is timeless and can be read time and time again.
September 3, 2019
Morris's siblings all get great gifts and let each other play with them. Morris just got a bear and no one wants to play with it. Morris gets rather down in the dumps until he finds one last present under the tree.
Well, I did not see that twist coming. Readers can debate whether or not Morris's disappearing bag is real or not. My favorite parts of the story were the things the siblings cooked up with the Chemistry set. It is a miracle they survived the day, but definitely added some humor. A cute Christmas story that's a little hard to predict. Hand this one to kids who are tired of the same old Christmas books.
Well, I did not see that twist coming. Readers can debate whether or not Morris's disappearing bag is real or not. My favorite parts of the story were the things the siblings cooked up with the Chemistry set. It is a miracle they survived the day, but definitely added some humor. A cute Christmas story that's a little hard to predict. Hand this one to kids who are tired of the same old Christmas books.
Read
April 19, 2020This picture book tells a tale of a little bunny on Christmas day receiving a gift that seems less special or fun than his brother's and sister's gift, until he finds one last present that exceeds the others. This would be a fun read for primary grades as a read aloud around the Christmas holiday for students in a classroom. There are many other books also continuing the bunny tails like "Max and Ruby" and etc.
January 22, 2019
I admit, I don't remember us really reading much of Rosemary Wells when I was a kid, but I did teach my two youngest sisters to read with "Max's Egg". However, Lucy loves the Max and Ruby cartoons, and so we have now checked out all the library has by Rosemary Wells. I love how she understands kids.
March 16, 2020
It's Christmas day and Morris just wants to play with his older siblings' toys - but their chemistry set, make up and hockey gear is too big for him - or so they claim - until he opens a gift with a disappearing bag that they all want. This was engaging read for both my toddler and kindergartener.
From Scholastic Learn at Home: Pre-K - K
From Scholastic Learn at Home: Pre-K - K
December 18, 2017
I really liked the colors but something about the rabbits felt off to me. Maybe they’re too round. It’s nice that the kids all want to share their toys with each other but why is Morris so disappointed by his teddy bear.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews