The Rabbit Listened
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A moving and universal picture book about the power of listening to show empathy and kindness, sure to soothe heartaches big and small.
ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Wall Street Journal, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly
When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs.
With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's something people of all ages struggle with: what's the best way to comfort someone? Taylor, a curly-haired boy in a striped onesie, is miserable after a flock of birds knocks down his amazing wooden-block tower. One by one, several animals approach him with strategies for feeling better. A bear advises rage ("Let's shout about it! Garrr! RARRR! GRAAAAR!"), and a snake suggests making someone else miserable ("Shhhhh. Let'ssss go knock down someone else'ssss"). Taylor refuses to be comforted in the ways the animals see fit, and they leave. Then along comes a rabbit who doesn't say a thing, but in its willingness to listen, persist, and be physically close ("It moved closer, and closer. Until Taylor could feel its warm body"), Taylor senses genuine concern and respect for his feelings. He opens up in all of the ways the animals previously suggested, but now it's on his terms and then he's ready to build again. Each of Doerrfeld's highly distilled and elegantly concise vignettes brims with emotional honesty and profound empathy. The result is a story that's wise, funny, and easy to take to heart. Ages 3 5.
