Redesigning Yabbit the Rabbit: Evolving from Anthropomorphic to Animal Character

Exciting updates! We just received a new round of character sketches from Rod Lazo, and we’re making major design changes to Yabbit the Rabbit!

This new phase marks a turning point in our creative journey, as we reimagine Yabbit’s world to align with the tone, mythology, and themes of The Rabbit in the Moon.

From Human-Like to Animal-Like: Redefining Yabbit

In the original story of Yabbit the Rabbit, the main character was anthropomorphic, a rabbit with human-like traits and behaviors.

Read about Yabbit’s original design

That design fit perfectly with the earlier concept, where Yabbit interacted with a mother character and performed human-style activities like brushing his teeth or playing games with friends.

But the new story calls for something very different.

In The Rabbit in the Moon, Yabbit is no longer a humanized figure, he’s a true rabbit, grounded in his natural movements and instincts. He doesn’t walk upright or act human; instead, his bravery and emotion come through his actions and relationships within a more nature-based, mythological world.

🎥 Watch our latest YouTube video revealing the redesigned Yabbit sketches

A New World Without Momma Rabbit

In this new version, the mother character from the original Yabbit the Rabbit story no longer exists in this universe. Her absence changes the emotional tone of the narrative, allowing new relationships and lessons to take center stage.

This fresh direction gives the story space to explore universal themes, courage, purpose, and connection, through a wider cast of characters inspired by mythology.

Introducing the New Characters of The Rabbit in the Moon

Alongside Yabbit, we’re introducing four new characters drawn from Aztec and Greek mythology, each symbolizing an aspect of courage, wisdom, or transformation.

  • 🦉 Owl (Búho) – The quiet observer, representing intuition and insight.

  • 🐺 Wolf (Lobo) – The guardian, embodying loyalty and strength.

  • 🐌 Snail (Caracol) – The patient traveler, a symbol of time and perseverance.

  • 🦇 Bat (Murciélago) – The guide through darkness, reminding us that bravery often begins in the unseen.

Together, these figures form the emotional and mythological foundation of The Rabbit in the Moon.

The Evolution Continues

Seeing Rod reinterpret Yabbit from an expressive, human-like character into a more authentic rabbit form has been incredible. It’s not just a visual redesign, it’s a reflection of how far this project has come.

This transformation represents the essence of creative growth: knowing when to evolve, and having the courage to begin again.

And just like Yabbit, we’re learning that trying is brave. 🌙

KD Schnee

KD Schnee is a children’s author from Pittsburgh, PA. He was raised in Bull Valley, IL on a former Christmas-tree farm. He spent his childhood roaming the woods and listening to nightly read-alouds from his dad, and early favorites like A Cricket in Times Square helped plant the seeds for storytelling.

His debut picture book, The Rabbit in the Moon, introduces Yabbit the Rabbit, a character first imagined by KD’s mother and inspired by his own childhood tendencies to hesitate or avoid. Today, KD writes hopeful stories that help kids (and the child in all of us) face fear, feel brave, and grow.

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How I Review Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon

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Evolving the Yabbit the Rabbit Brand: From Storybook to Emotional Connection