Wednesday, February 28, 2018

THE RABBIT LISTENED by Cori Doerrfeld / Book Review #TheRabbitListened



Written & Illustrated by: Cori Doerrfeld
Published by: Penguin Kids / Dial
Released on: February 20th, 2018
Ages: 3 & up
Purchase from: Penguin | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets
Thank you to PRH for sending a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

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 is a moving, beautiful story about the different stages of grief, loss, sadness, and frustration, hope, and more. It's about a young child who just needed someone to listen to them. Unlike the other animals, Rabbit is just there to listen to everything Taylor says. Sometimes just being there, and just listening is all that's needed. This book is a powerful, yet gentle reminder that sometimes what a person needs most is a listen ear. 

Written and illustrated with a young reader audience, having a child's destruction of a huge castle they built out of blocks, and the various emotions they feel from that, makes it easier for young kids to related to Taylor's reaction. This book is the perfect aid in helping young kids understand the different emotions that they feel. It's a story that will have readers of all ages feeling the range of emotions Taylor does. 

Sometimes all we need is someone to just listen to us. To listen and not tell us how to think or how to feel, but to just be there. To be there and listen to all the different things we're feeling and thinking. To listen to us work through how we're feeling. This book is that gentle reminder that more often than not, we need to take the time to just listen, and just be there. This book is also a comforting one. It's also a reminder that no one is alone in how they're feeling. The illustrations, and soft neutral colors also provide a soothing feel to this story.

This is definitely one of those picture books I would highly recommend picking up. It's moving, beautifully written, and one that will leave you thinking about it, and how you can be what the rabbit was for Taylor; a listening ear, and comfort, for someone you care about. This book is great for kids, and adults alike. 

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~