What Small Rabbit Heard

by WEBSTER SHERYL

Toddlers and parents everywhere will recognize Small Rabbit's lack of enthusiasm as the story opens. He just doesn't want to go for a walk and he comes up with all sorts of excuses to stay indoors. But Big Rabbit is having none of it. She bundles him into his coat and out they go, with Small Rabbit shivering and grumbling as he shuffles along. Perhaps it's because he's too far behind Big Rabbit, perhaps it's because the wind is howling, but when Big Rabbit says, 'Try to keep up!' what Small Rabbit hears is 'Jump in the mud!' And so he does. In fact everything Big Rabbit says - thanks to the wind - turns from a rather humdrum instruction into something much more exciting and Small Rabbit finds himself having a really wild time. Becoming muddier by the moment, and causing more and more mayhem, Small Rabbit romps ahead. Big Rabbit's last instruction, as Small Rabbit bounds home to their burrow is, 'Please don't go inside!' (she's worried about muddy footprints and leaves all over her lovely clean burrow). But Small Rabbit thinks she's asking him to find somewhere to hide and the story ends with a resounding 'Boo!' from Small Rabbit as he jumps from his hiding place into Big Rabbit's arms, declaring 'Windy walks are lots of fun!'

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

25 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

Reviews

[Raquel Curvacheiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because, living with 3 male specimens (4, if you include the dog) I'm already used to some "selective hearing". Both my boys loved this one! The 6 year old laughed out loud at what the bunny heard and the 2 year old just asked for "more, more, more". I think I will know this one by heart by the end of the week.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story I've just read to my 4 year old niece. Lovely pictures and very cute rabbits. We both enjoyed this one.

[Francesca Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a small rabbit on a windy walk with a big rabbit. Small rabbit cannot hear what big rabbit is saying in the wind so he doesn’t do what he is being asked. For example, big rabbit says “Stay with me please” and little rabbit thinks big rabbit said “Roll in the leaves”. As the small rabbit gets into mischievous actions it makes the book humorous for children. Lovely illustrations for children to enjoy. There are lots of verbs that can be discussed such as ‘hop’, ‘skip’, ‘jump’ and ‘roll’ etc. Children could do the actions whilst the book is being read to them!

[Amal Nassir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really beautiful illustrations. Little Rabbit really didn't want to go out. It's too cold and windy outside. But, between mishearing Big Rabbits instructions in the howling wind and the many adventurous opportunities he encounters on their walk, he ends up having the time of his life.

A gorgeous book, teaching us how to appreciate nature and adventures, even on the coldest and windiest of days.

We absolutely loved it.

[Carenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes what small rabbit hears seems too dissimilar from what big rabbit said to be believable. I liked the illustration of small rabbit losing the scarf and then, on a later page, big rabbit picking it up. Also, the scene at the end of the two rabbits flying a kite together.

[Kerry Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for rhyming and predicting what will happen next as Small Rabbit mishears everything Big Rabbit says.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot like "Chinese Telephone Game" You say something, and it is heard differently. What big Rabbit says is not what little Rabbit hears..in fact they are very differently.... But the Rabbit are really cute and the illustrations are fun!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable pictures, adorable story, and sweet (sibling?) relationship.