Cori DoerrfeldBesprekingen

Riley, a kid in a red scarf and old-fashioned pilot's cap and goggles (think The Little Prince meets Amelia Earhart), folds a paper airplane and prepares to fly it, but is interrupted by a number of creatures who insist it needs modifications first. Riley leaves the noisy crowd behind to try again, but is interrupted again - this time, though, by a penguin who wants to give encouragement, not advice. "I just didn't want to miss it!" Riley adds a final touch - a drawing of the penguin, with a heart - and together they watch it soar.

See also: The Rabbit Listened½

I read this with my daughter in Spanish (she had to translate quite a bit of it for me). She was truly freaked out by the chickens! But we had a good conversation about what the chickens symbolize (lol). I'm going to get the other books in the series for her even though she said the chickens were like a nightmare. It's hard for me to find high-low books in Spanish for her (high interest for an 8yo, with a lower reading level because her Spanish reading comprehension is more like 2nd grade).

A little boy likes to hide under his cover. Everywhere he goes, he has the blanket over his head.

His astute grandfather does not tell him to get rid of the blanket, rather, he talks of nature and all that is "beneath.' In the forest, there are huge trees, and beneath them and large, thick roots that hold them to the earth. A boat out on the body of water sits on the top, but beneath are all kinds of fish, large ones, small ones and a diversity of color as well. High up in the tree is a mother bird sitting on her nest, beneath her are four eggs. A fox is digging the earth because underneath down in the dirt and small animals.

As his grandfather teaches him about beneath, he slowly takes the blanket that covered his body, and now his face, hands and legs are visable. And, the grandfather tells him that beneath something solid there also can be something hollow such as a raccoon family who nest at the bottom of the nook of the tree. Beneath, baby hatchlings are forming from seeds.

Finn sees a pregnant woman and asks if something can be beneath a person. Grandfather tells him that everyone is more than what you see.

And, his intelligent grandfather tells Finn that "beneath someone who looks like they won't understand (referencing himself in relation to Fiin,) is someone who knows exactly how you feel." The grandfather is letting Finn know that he does understand him and his need to hide. But now, Finn takes his blanket and gently puts it over his very special grandpa.

Finn is excited by his newfound discoveries. As they both climb and watch the stars, Finn broadly smiles and lets his grandfather know he understands they are both beneath the stars, and beneath the stars are two people who care about each other a lot.

Independent Reading Level: Preschool - 1st Grade
Awards: New York Times Bestseller (2018)

Great for kids!

This is certainly for younger readers as everything is spelled out, but there is some heart here that makes it stand out. I think the story had a great message: When you're acting ugly towards others, you are the true ugly one, and don't judge people from appearance alone. You never know what someone's going through or who may become a great friend one day.

2.5

I hadn't read the first book, but I picked up the story quickly.

Great for kids!

This is certainly for younger readers as everything is spelled out, but there is some heart here that makes it stand out. I think the story had a great message: When you're acting ugly towards others, you are the true ugly one, and don't judge people from appearance alone. You never know what someone's going through or who may become a great friend one day.

2.5

I hadn't read the first book, but I picked up the story quickly.

4

I loved it and would have wanted it as a kid. This articulated many problems that I think I did struggle with as a child, but no one seriously listened, or I felt like I couldn't speak aloud.

Thinking about the world in a different way ....

Absolutely love this. Made my heart so full. The slow removal of the blanket and then transference to his granddad is priceless.

I absolutely adore this book. I feel every family needs this book. You see, there are multiple trends happening in children's literature these days. One of them is writing books that deal with tough topics and emotions. We talk all the time about how people need to be reminded that they are not alone. I feel this qualifies!

The premise of the story is simple. Something bad has happened to Taylor. And everyone thinks they know how to help, that they know what Taylor needs. However, all Taylor really needs is someone who will listen. What a great reminder to all of us? Sometimes you can't fix the situation, sometimes you can't make the person just forget the situation......but BEING THERE is all they really want.

Little Taylor built something unique for his pile of blocks. He stood proud, looking at his creation, but a disaster stuck. A flock of birds destroyed his masterpiece right before his eyes. Shattered, Taylor sat quietly. A chicken that first saw the mishap came forward to help him and asked him to talk about it. But Taylor didn’t feel like saying anything. Then, many animals came by one by one to help Taylor, but he stayed quiet. But can someone really help Taylor?

We picked this book for its cover. The book beautifully addresses a delicate aspect of the world of feelings - loss. The illustration is simple but makes the story stand tall.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is an empathetic story of a little boy and his loss, narrated in simple words and captivating illustrations.

Child builds with blocks, it falls down, many animals suggest what to do but only a rabbit waits and lets the child decide what to do.

Cute, but I probably won't continue with the series.

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Mentioned in a blog post at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2019/12/23/2019-in-review/

The illustrations are great, but the story doesn't make much sense. I'm probably not the right audience, but there is so much what? going on that I didn't really get into it.

Goodreads 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.

I had problems with the blue=boy, pink=girl gendering of the book. I appreciate that the author disrupts that in the end, but it didn't completely work for me.

This is an amazing book and I was thrilled with my kids' reactions. I had checked it out from our local library, but I'm going to have to get a copy.

Teaches good lessons about how to be a good friend when a person you care about is hurting.

Taylor is unhappy and all the animals have ideas as to how he should react. Only the rabbit sits and listens, which is just what Taylor needs.

A great read about dealing with our emotions and how we can help others through difficult times, but told in a light and approachable fashion.

I think this book would be good to read to younger children. It teaches them that sometimes it is better and needed to just listen to others. It was very cute images and a very cute story.

I read this to my homeroom class and they loved it. Great book to teach true empathy.

really nice opening to talk about change

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.