The Rabbit Listened

The Rabbit Listened

A moving and universal picture book about empathy and kindness, sure to soothe heartaches big and small.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.From School Library JournalPreS-K-Taylor is overcome with sadness when an impressive block construction crashes to the ground, and none of his animal friends' suggestions help. Each creature proposes an outlet: Chicken wants to talk about it, Bear surmises that Taylor is angry and offers to "shout about it," Hyena suggests laughing, and so on. Taylor doesn't feel like doing any of those things and remains in a funk. But when Rabbit cuddles in close and listens, the child finally lets loose. With sadness finally dispelled, Taylor can now envision beginning again to build something "amazing." The cartoon illustrations, digitally rendered with thick black outlines, depict a curly-haired moppet in striped pajamas. The animals appear in several vignettes as they submit their ideas. Taylor builds with rapt concentration, proudly admires the work, gasps in horror at its destruction, and curls up in sadness before expressing bottled up feelings. The only background color is the deep purple against which a flock of black birds swoops down and scatters the blocks and the background against Taylor's real and imagined structures. VERDICT In addition to validating feelings of anger and disappointment, this book is a fine vehicle for group discussion of ways to help others deal with these emotions. Sometimes just listening is best of all.-Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MAReviewNew York Times Editors? Choice New York Times Notable Children?s Books of 2018 TIME magazine?s 10 Best YA and Children?s Books of 2018 Wall Street Journal Best Children?s Book of 2018 2019 Charlotte Huck Honor Book by NCTE 2019 SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Book New York Public Library?s Best Kids Books of 2018 Chicago Public Library?s Best Picture Books of 2018 Kirkus Best Books of 2018 Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 People Magazine Kid Pick Spring 2018 Indie Next List