PPBF: The Rabbit Listened

Happy PPBF.

I'm so excited about this week's pick, but first things first. Last night I got to speak at a Family Character Night at Ferguson Elementary and look at their cool Character-Cam Photo-Booth backdrop.

So adorable. I've seen this display bouncing around cyberspace,
but being right there in person with it really made it pop!
I especially connected with asking families to sign it,
as their promise to give kindness wings. 
All the feels.

Counselor Emmy Jess in Ripon, WI, combined this Put the I in kInd idea with my suggestion to write the one-word you want people to feel in your presence 
on a paper plate to create this epic version.


So much creative goodness to share,
the perfect segue into today's title.


Author and Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers
Birth Date: February 20, 2018
Themes: empathy, compassion, grit
Suitable for: ages 4 and up
Brief synopsis: When Taylor's terrific tower breaks apart, he has some uncomfortable feelings. Which friend will know just what he needs, to comfort and care for him?
Opening page: One day, Taylor decided to build something.

Resources:
Read a School Library Journal review {here}.
See what the author has to say in an interview {here}.
A podcast interview with the Rabbit {here}.

Check out a Shon's Stories read aloud here:  


Why I like this book: It's not often that I don't jump up to go get a book when someone recommends it to me, but for some reason, I let a year go by before I check this one out. Am I ever sorry it took me so long to add this treasure to my trove. Because it is incredible and one of my very favorite newbies.

When Taylor's tower falls apart (maybe some birds came by and knocked it down, maybe not ... ), it's all that he can do to not fall apart as well. That's when chicken notices and tries to rescue Taylor from his uncomfortable feelings, by advising that he talk about it.

But Taylor doesn't feel like talking. 

One by one his animal friends come by, and
one by one they suggest the strategies that they would use
to process the feelings and solve the problem.

And Taylor doesn't feel like trying any of their suggestions (yet).

Cue the cute, quiet bunny.

So quiet, in fact, that Taylor doesn't even notice it.
Until the heat of its warm body warmed Taylor up.

The silent soul sidles up and listens as Taylor
vents and processes and shouts and laughs ... 

Through it all, the rabbit never left. 

... until this budding builder feels ready to try again.

{Sigh}.

I dare say we could all use a Rabbit in our lives.

Use the story to talk about
grit,
emotions,
empathy,
compassion,
and kindness.

Taylor's story is a poignant reminder that
we need to teach people how to treat us.
That emotional regulation isn't one-size-fits-all.
And that sometimes all we need do is listen.

Shhhhhhhhhh. Hear that? The Sound of Silence.

Compare and contrast this heartwarming gem with
Shhh! by Jeanne Willis and Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban.

Write or draw about the strategies that help you
work through your hard, uncomfortable, or big feelings.

Then dance the Bunny Hop to seal the deal, using these lyrics:

E-M-P-A-T-H-Y
put yourself in my shoes
and I think you will find
E-M-P-A-T-H-Y
you're a superhero of 
the charACTer KIND.

Then head to Susanna Hill's blog for more PPBF picks
and her review of 1-2-3 My Feelings And Me.






4 comments

  1. This book is brilliant! I love the writing, the sparse illustrations and the whole tone and arc. Thanks for sharing this. Amazingly emphatic story!

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  2. Thank you for sharing this book It looks and sounds beautiful. We all need someone with a silent ear at times. Must look out for this book.

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  3. This is was one of my favorite picture books from last year. Thank you for featuring it.

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