Book Review: "The Rabbit Listened

Title: The Rabbit Listened

Author/Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld

Publisher: Dial Books

Copyright Date: 2018

Age Range: 3-5 yrs

"A universal, deeply moving exploration of grief and empathy

With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustrations, The Rabbit Listened is a tender meditation on loss.

When something terrible 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 process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs. 

Whether read in the wake of tragedy or as a primer for comforting others, this is a deeply moving and unforgettable story sure to soothe heartache of all sizes." The Rabbit Listened summary.

This book is for younger readers in the 3-5 year range who are becoming more emotionally aware of themselves and others. The story is about a boy named Taylor, whose block tower is knocked down. He doens't know how to feel or process his feelings, so a lot of animals come to tell him how to react.  But he doesn't like how they tell him to feel or act.

This book simplifies the stages of grief in a way that a small, emotionally undeveloped child can understand. It also shows children how to comfort others. The illustrations and the text are both pretty minimal, but they both convey so much emotion.

The title of the book tells it all; The Rabbit Listened. This book tells children how to comfort others. It also shows them that the way they feel is valid, and it's ok to process their emotions in these ways, as long as they're building towards feeling better. I think that it is so important to help children understand how to process grief and emotions, and also how to comfort.

I wouldn't necessarily use this book in a classroom, unless it was a daycare story-time or in early grades.. This book is much more a parent/guardian-child bonding book. This book was a New York Times Editor's Choice, an Indie Next List pick, a Kirkus Reviews best book of 2018, and a TIME best book of 2018. The Rabbit Listened would make a great addition to any library; school, public, or private.