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The Rabbit Listened

It’s rare to find a picture book that can deliver a message so aptly for children AND adults. Tragedy, irrespective of perceived severity, is inevitable and is experienced by young and old. Likewise, grief is universal, it has no age restriction, it does not discriminate. Together these two themes are woven into this poignant story about loss, suffering and ultimately, healing. This book for the ages, The Rabbit Listened, emphasises the power of empathy, and in particular, the importance of being a good listener.


The simplicity of every aspect of this book is what makes Cori Doerrfeld's The Rabbit Listened truly remarkable. Her text is sparce yet concise, her illustrations are soft yet textured. Together they convey an emotionally rich message about the process of grief and the value of being there for someone, by merely lending an ear.


The story centres around a young child, Taylor, who with time and effort, creates an impressive building-block masterpiece. Then, out of nowhere, disaster strikes and a flock of birds knocks down the block tower. The reader is then taken on Taylor's emotional journey where various animals (with relatable human traits) attempt to fix the problem by offering well-meaning solutions to make the protagonist feel better. The animal friends try to help in ways that cleverly resemble their stereotypical nature: the bear shouts, the ostrich buries its head in the wreckage, the hyena laughs and the snake hisses about revenge. Only the rabbit, who sits close by in stillness and listens, provides what Taylor needs: space to feel and be. This approach reflects a crucial truth: sometimes, people simply need a comforting ear. The emotional depth, combined with charming illustrations, makes it a must-read for children and adults alike. This gentle story fosters understanding of emotional struggles and highlights the power of compassion.


That’s the beauty of picture books like The Rabbit Listened. They help develop empathy - the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes - and start conversations about difficult emotions (that many adults shy away from). By using picture books as tools to engage with kids at this level, we equip them to thrive in future relationships and make the world a better place.


Title: The Rabbit Listened

Author & Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld


What's to love about this book:

  • The manner in which it can be viewed and appreciated through two lenses: the victim (sufferer) and the supporter (friend)

  • Doerrfeld describes The Rabbit Listened as “somehow general enough that anyone can see themselves in the book, yet specific enough that people know exactly what it’s about.”

  • The book gives children a model for how to process difficult events and provide meaningful support to friends who need it.

  • The author constructs the text so that Taylor (a gender-neutral name) is never referred to with gender pronouns. She also makes Taylor look as neutral as possible and in doing so relatable to any reader.

  • The focus on the small tragedy (i.e. the collapse of the block tower) is age-appropriate and relatable for young children while allowing for deeper discussion and connection with an older audience.

  • The tale encourages children to explore strategies to manage turbulent feelings, helping them to develop their emotional intelligence.

  • Elizabeth Bird’s review for School Library Journal clearly articulates the book’s significance: "The event that leads to Taylor’s misery is an out-of-the-blue disaster that strikes without warning or reason. And just like that, you have a book that can be applied to broad disasters like hurricanes, school shootings, or terrorist attacks or personal ones like the death of a loved one."


Favourite quote:

"Through it all, the rabbit never left."


Messages:

  • There is a natural inclination to try and fix others' problems, whether by giving advice or trying to solve them ourselves. When often-times all that is needed of a comforter, is someone to be there and listen.


If this book has your name on it, you can purchase a copy below:

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