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The Rabbit Listened
Last updated Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 073522935X
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2023
Synopsis:
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.
| Note to readers: |
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This is a very simple story, but a great opportunity to read with emotion and voices – talk
like a chicken, bear, elephant, hyena, ostrich, kangaroo, snake. Appreciate the peaceful
silence of the rabbit.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do you like building things – maybe with blocks or legos? Do they break or fall down
sometimes? How does that make you feel?
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What do you do when you feel disappointed or angry? Do you yell? Talk to someone?
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This is a story about how one little boy deals with his feelings.
Vocabulary:
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Hyena: an animal that lives in Africa and is sometimes called a “laughing hyena”
because the sound they make sounds a bit like laughing. If they’ve seen Lion King, they
might remember the hyenas.
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Ostrich: a giant flightless bird known for hiding by burying its head in the sand. (Fun fact:
This isn’t true. They may have gotten this reputation because they lay their eggs in holes
in the ground. When they tend to their “nests” it might look like their head is
underground.)
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Notice that each animal is telling Taylor what to do – not asking him about how he feels
or what HE wants to do.
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For each animal’s solution, ask if that’s a good idea or might be helpful. Is that what they
would do?
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Point out that, as the rabbit listens, Taylor thinks about all the ways he could react (talk
like the chicken, shout like the bear, remember like the elephant …). Can the kids recall
which animal suggested each behavior?
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Compare his first building with the one he’s imagining at the end. It’s even better!
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Discuss how a good listener can help you figure out how you want to act on your
feelings. It’s important to understand what another person is going through. They can
also be good listeners – with their friends or siblings. Think about other times they might
be upset or angry and who they could talk to about it.
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Think about how a rabbit is very quiet and has big ears. Sometimes it’s best to listen
more than talk.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/may-2023-fantasy-folklore-fairytales/1st-the-rabbit-listened/
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Use a paper plate to make a bunny face. Draw the face in the center and cut off the
edges to shape into ears. You can add eye holes and ribbon if you want to make it into a
mask. Or use construction paper to make a headband.
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Cut circles from construction paper – a smaller one for the head and larger for the body.
Draw the face and feet and attach cut-out ears.
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Outline their handprint and cut out. Cut off the middle finger, fold the outer two for arms,
and make the remaining two the ears.
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Mothers’ Day is Sunday May 14th. Make a card for your mother, grandmother or aunt.
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| Special activities: |
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Bring a game of Jenga to play. The kids can have fun trying to keep the tower from
falling down. You could also use the pieces to build their own structures.
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Go through the book again and let the kids act like each of the animals.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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