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Rabbit and the Motorbike
Rabbit isn't sure he'll ever be brave enough to go on an adventure. He's a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog's tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story? This timeless fable of the journey from grief to acceptance will touch every reader. For those confronting loss and those eager to explore and experience, Rabbit's bravery in the face of sadness will console, nurture, and inspire.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2019
5 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hoefler
10 books19 followersKate Hoefler received her BA in English and creative writing from Ohio University, and her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys, Great Big Things, and Rabbit and the Motorbike (with more forthcoming). She makes her home in the rolling hills of Ohio with her two children, a young dog, and an old cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 9, 2019
This hit much harder than I even expected.
February 14, 2020
Rabbit and the Motorbike is absolutely stunning. A beautiful story about connection, loss, living, and howling at the moon!
Rabbit lives a quiet life at home. But his friend, Dog, lived a life of adventure and movement and he shares it all with Rabbit. Dog is filled with stories!
“The world is beautiful.” Dog would say, “if you’re brave enough to see it.”
After Dog dies, Rabbit’s life is quiet and lonely. But Dog’s motorbike and tales inspire Rabbit to make a change one brave step at a time. I love the heart of this story. It beats on every single beautiful page! The idea that our friends and loved ones live on in us or with us at our side still urging us on to try something new or go for a ride is a message I truly took to heart. Loss and grief is expressed with such gentleness and beauty here in the words and pictures.
Which brings me to the art. Every delicate flower, stroke of color, and look of sadness and joy helped bring this story alive in print and in me. The illustrations and words push you to feel and act. To feel alive!
This book will inspire readers of all ages to find their stories out there in the world and to let their hearts sing!
Highly recommended. I’ll be on the lookout for more from Hoefler and Jacoby for sure.
August 18, 2019
This one is a 3.5 for me. I liked its subtle message--maybe too subtle?--about grief and loss but wanted to know a bit more about what prompted the change in Rabbit. Rabbit is perfectly content to stay safely at home in his wheat fields. They're safe, and he can dream of the adventures that he might have without leaving the comfort of home. He also lives vicariously through the stories told by Dog. After Dog dies, he leaves his motorcycle to Rabbit. Rabbit just lets the machine sit for quite a long time since he is afraid to venture forth. But one day he decides to ride it down the road--and he keeps on going. Many young readers will be able to relate to Rabbit's fears and reluctance to take a chance or leave his front yard and all that is familiar, but they will also realize how much he would have missed had he not taken that chance. Beneath all that is also the process through which he goes as he mourns and honors his friend. It made me smile to know that Dog had realized that there was a deep wanderlust buried within his friend's heart. I also liked how the day are described as wheat and the loss of his friend as a particularly challenging day--"a bad one" (unpaged). The illustrations were created in watercolor, NuPastel, and mixed media.
June 27, 2020
En realidad son 2,5 Stars
Un libro que recomiendo a cualquier niño pequeño. Nos habla lo que pasa cuando la muerte le llega a un ser querido y como podemos salir adelante y crear nuestro propio legado.
También el libro habla de la capacidad que tenemos cada uno de salir adelante, vencer nuestros miedos y enfrentarnos al mundo.
El libro viene ilustrado y me han gustado muchas de las ilustraciones que vienen en él, pero me esperaba otra cosa. Lo perdono porque no deja de ser un libro infantil. Ya habrá lecturas mejores
Un libro que recomiendo a cualquier niño pequeño. Nos habla lo que pasa cuando la muerte le llega a un ser querido y como podemos salir adelante y crear nuestro propio legado.
También el libro habla de la capacidad que tenemos cada uno de salir adelante, vencer nuestros miedos y enfrentarnos al mundo.
El libro viene ilustrado y me han gustado muchas de las ilustraciones que vienen en él, pero me esperaba otra cosa. Lo perdono porque no deja de ser un libro infantil. Ya habrá lecturas mejores
June 7, 2019
A beautiful book with lyrical language and amazing illustrations.
We cheer for the rabbit and our hearts sing when he's finally brave enough to go on Dog's motorbike.
Love it.
We cheer for the rabbit and our hearts sing when he's finally brave enough to go on Dog's motorbike.
Love it.
June 15, 2022
A sweet book about friendship, grief, and bravery.
July 16, 2023
A newsletter I get from the Gaza Strip opened with a line from a Gazawi father of 3: “give me a new lie to tell my children,” he said. It sticks with me.
I wonder all the time about how to introduce conflict, death, destruction to kids. I’m not licking my chops, I mean how much do you conceal and for how long? Sometimes I feel like I have a handle on it: they are part of life, hurt people hurt people, despite unfairness there are righteous brave people, and so on. Other times I am lost.
This is a great children’s book about death and grief. The watercolor paintings are beautiful, the color palette alone is memorable, and the perspectives (an overhead view of a rabbit driving a motorbike on a beach beneath the backs of flying seabirds is amazing) feel like they grew a few new neural pathways in my brain. I love it! I don’t plan on stocking my GR account with loads of children’s books, even though I be reading them all the time, but this is worth a reading next time you’re at the library, with or without a kid.
I wonder all the time about how to introduce conflict, death, destruction to kids. I’m not licking my chops, I mean how much do you conceal and for how long? Sometimes I feel like I have a handle on it: they are part of life, hurt people hurt people, despite unfairness there are righteous brave people, and so on. Other times I am lost.
This is a great children’s book about death and grief. The watercolor paintings are beautiful, the color palette alone is memorable, and the perspectives (an overhead view of a rabbit driving a motorbike on a beach beneath the backs of flying seabirds is amazing) feel like they grew a few new neural pathways in my brain. I love it! I don’t plan on stocking my GR account with loads of children’s books, even though I be reading them all the time, but this is worth a reading next time you’re at the library, with or without a kid.
January 30, 2020
The soothing cadences of text and gentle illustrations tell a fablelike story of friendship lost and remembered. A quiet celebration of healing and spiritual growth that will be especially appealing to readers who have experienced fear and loneliness.
October 26, 2019
A beautiful, poetic (not rhyming) story of love, loss and moving on through life to acceptance/adjustment. This book is a lovely way to help one another work through grief.
April 21, 2020
Visual on Face Book read by Henry Winkler
September 10, 2022
Contains one of the most beautiful lines I've ever read in a picture book: "The days were wheat."
October 17, 2024
Dealing with the death of an old and dear friend.
How do we live for those that we have lost?
Love the dogs/wolves riding in the Mojave Dessert.
How do we live for those that we have lost?
Love the dogs/wolves riding in the Mojave Dessert.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
This is beautiful and heartbreaking. . It's a beautiful story with stunning illustrations. Beautiful.
February 13, 2020
It made me cry.
September 22, 2022
Read it for the art… but the story is very cool.. excellent for a kid :)
November 1, 2019
Bitter-sweet longing mixed with hope glide together in this gentle tale about loss and reaching beyond comfort zones to ride with dreams.
Rabbit has never left his field, and he likes it there. Sometimes he feels alone. Quite alone. But dog comes by every day to tell him his tales about him and his adventures on his motorbike. Rabbit loves listening to these tales until, one day, they end. Instead, Rabbit is left with a motorbike and a wish he could hear the stories again.
This is one of those reads which pulls at the heart and offers dreams wing to fly. Rabbit is a careful bunny, and it's easy to like him. He's kind but feels a little captured. Young listeners can identify with him easily—everyone has things they would like to do but feel uncomfortable about really stepping up and doing it. So, when Rabbit dares to try, smiles will break out and it's hard not to feel happy right with him.
The loss of a loved one is another theme in this book. While it isn't clearly stated what happens to Dog, most young listeners will understand (others might ask, so be prepared for that). While their is a sense of sadness, the tale hits more on the empty spot Dog leaves behind and the constant reminder (and positive temptation) of the motorbike. It is a lovely way to help explore the feelings such a loss bring, but this tale is about more. It's about memories, living and repeating the entire cycle again.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this lovely story so much that I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
Rabbit has never left his field, and he likes it there. Sometimes he feels alone. Quite alone. But dog comes by every day to tell him his tales about him and his adventures on his motorbike. Rabbit loves listening to these tales until, one day, they end. Instead, Rabbit is left with a motorbike and a wish he could hear the stories again.
This is one of those reads which pulls at the heart and offers dreams wing to fly. Rabbit is a careful bunny, and it's easy to like him. He's kind but feels a little captured. Young listeners can identify with him easily—everyone has things they would like to do but feel uncomfortable about really stepping up and doing it. So, when Rabbit dares to try, smiles will break out and it's hard not to feel happy right with him.
The loss of a loved one is another theme in this book. While it isn't clearly stated what happens to Dog, most young listeners will understand (others might ask, so be prepared for that). While their is a sense of sadness, the tale hits more on the empty spot Dog leaves behind and the constant reminder (and positive temptation) of the motorbike. It is a lovely way to help explore the feelings such a loss bring, but this tale is about more. It's about memories, living and repeating the entire cycle again.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this lovely story so much that I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
October 18, 2019
Thanks to @kidlitexchange and Chronicle Kids for sharing Rabbit and the Motorbike by Kate Hoefler and Sarah Jacoby. All opinions are my own.
This book is beautiful and touching. Rabbit has lived vicariously through his friend Dog, who travels extensively and brings stories home to share with Rabbit. When Dog no longer has stories to share, Rabbit’s world grows smaller. But Dog has left his motorbike to Rabbit, and though Rabbit is scared, he knows he wants to be as brave as Dog and get out to explore the world.
Dog’s death is very delicately handled in this book, which makes it a great opportunity to gently talk with children about grief they have experienced without being obvious and making them feel like it’s being forced out of them. For children who haven’t yet experienced grief, the light handling of Rabbit’s gives a jumping off point to talk about death and loss. Deftly handled all around, which is a wonderful feat for a children’s book.
This book is beautiful and touching. Rabbit has lived vicariously through his friend Dog, who travels extensively and brings stories home to share with Rabbit. When Dog no longer has stories to share, Rabbit’s world grows smaller. But Dog has left his motorbike to Rabbit, and though Rabbit is scared, he knows he wants to be as brave as Dog and get out to explore the world.
Dog’s death is very delicately handled in this book, which makes it a great opportunity to gently talk with children about grief they have experienced without being obvious and making them feel like it’s being forced out of them. For children who haven’t yet experienced grief, the light handling of Rabbit’s gives a jumping off point to talk about death and loss. Deftly handled all around, which is a wonderful feat for a children’s book.
November 27, 2020
An incredibly beautiful and moving testament to relationships that sustain and challenge us, especially after one of the parties is gone. Rabbit and Dog are great friends; Rabbit is a younger, homebody while Dog is elderly but was once a great traveler. One day, Dog is gone. But he has left his prized motorbike to his best friend, and after some time goes by, Rabbit is ready to leave home and try out the motorbike.
Reminds me of Up the Mountain. They both feature great friendships, and then what happens when that friendship is torn by loss.
Reminds me of Up the Mountain. They both feature great friendships, and then what happens when that friendship is torn by loss.
October 17, 2019
Rabbit never leaves his home though he dreams of taking the road near his house and having adventures like the ones his friend Dog has told him about. When Dog dies (which is handled very subtly and gently), he leaves Rabbit his motorbike. After some time being afraid to venture out, Rabbit convinces himself that he'll just go down this road. But roads can be long, and lead to others. Following this road eventually opens Rabbit up to living the life bigger than he ever could have dreamed, to a whole new world, and back to new friends.
December 23, 2019
Rabbit's friend Dog tells stories of adventures that he has on his motorbike; Rabbit has never really gone anywhere and is a little scared to. Dog leaves the motorbike to Rabbit when Dog dies. It takes Rabbit a while (the motorbike sits around, has birds nest in it, etc.), but Rabbit decides to drive the motorbike down the road... and the road extends beyond what Rabbit initially expects.
I thought there was a loveliness in this of friends really seeing each other, of finding ways through grief, of becoming what you thought you couldn't be.
I thought there was a loveliness in this of friends really seeing each other, of finding ways through grief, of becoming what you thought you couldn't be.
August 22, 2022
Rabbit enjoys old dog's stories of life on the road with his motorbike, even though he has never left the field. However, when dog passes and leaves rabbit his bike, rabbit finally ventures out himself.
This is a nice story, but I am not sure it is really for the normal picture book crowd. It is very nostalgic, and I think more for adults.
This is a nice story, but I am not sure it is really for the normal picture book crowd. It is very nostalgic, and I think more for adults.
December 4, 2022
Incontournable Avril 2021
Cet album qui combine pastel et aquarelle nous invite à découvrir les pouvoirs de l'amitié et du voyage.
Un lapin vit dans une maison qui jouxte une route, qu'il n'a jamais prit et qui, paradoxalement, le fait rêver. C'est d'autant plus vrai que Chien la connait cette route et a toujours d'incroyables aventures à lui rapporter de ses voyages, en chevauchant sa moto. Sans le savoir, Lapin est ainsi nourri du désir de voyager. Lorsque son ami Chien meurt, c,est Lapin qui hérite de sa moto. En deuil, il lui faudra du temps pour se décider à l'enfourcher, mais dès le moment où il est sur la route, l'horizon ne semble jamais assez loin.
Le premier grand thème est l'amitié. Chaque personne est teinté de sa propre nuance de couleur et nous serions très probablement toujours dans cette nuance si ce n'était de nos proches et de nos amis, qui nous teintent un peu de la leur. C'est de cette manière que je conçois l'amitié de cet album. Chien a su insuffler un peu de sa passion pour les voyages, tout en cultivant l'intérêt pour la route qui fascinait Lapin, à ce dernier. Et le plus beau, c,est que cet "héritage" connait désormais une suite grâce au courage de Lapin d'aller de l'avant.
Ensuite, le voyage. Comme le disait si bien le personnage de Bilbon, dans "Le seigneur des anneaux": "Il est dangereux , Frodon, de sortir de chez soi. On prend la route et si on ne prend pas garde, on ne sait pas jusqu'où cela peut nous mener". C,est peut-être justement qu'on ne sait pas jusqu'où cela peut nous mener que cela nous rend inconfortable de partir, mais une chose est sure: quand on commence une aventure ou un voyage, le plus dur est justement de faire le premier pas. Ensuite, c'est simple de suivre la route, elle nous mènera forcément quelque part! L'inattendu, le fait de partir de chez soi, loin de ses repères, est effrayant pour qui ne connait rien d'autre. Alors, il faut compter sur un désir plus grand que la peur pour se donner un premier élan. Et ce désir, il a été cultivé, voir "légué" de Chien à Lapin.
On pourrait aussi parler du deuil, de sa porté et de sa durée. Lapin en aura mit du temps, mais c'est peut-être aussi parce qu'il a prit le temps qu'il a ensuite eu ce qu'il fallait pour passer à une autre étape. Et encore une fois, Chien lui a laissé quelque chose. Cet aspect de continuité au-delà de la mort est un aspect précieux: la personne continue d'avoir une importance sans être là, à travers les souvenirs, mais aussi à travers ce quelle a transmit. Ici, lapin s'est senti "accompagné" par Chien durant son périple. C'est beau et c'est constructif. Et à la fin, on remarque que Lapin a un ami Chat...un autre personnage qui sera gagné par la magie du voyage, peut-être?
Un album très touchant et pleins d'espoir.
Catégorisation: Album jeunesse fiction, littérature jeunesse débutante, premier cycle primaire, 6-7 ans
Note: 9/10
Cet album qui combine pastel et aquarelle nous invite à découvrir les pouvoirs de l'amitié et du voyage.
Un lapin vit dans une maison qui jouxte une route, qu'il n'a jamais prit et qui, paradoxalement, le fait rêver. C'est d'autant plus vrai que Chien la connait cette route et a toujours d'incroyables aventures à lui rapporter de ses voyages, en chevauchant sa moto. Sans le savoir, Lapin est ainsi nourri du désir de voyager. Lorsque son ami Chien meurt, c,est Lapin qui hérite de sa moto. En deuil, il lui faudra du temps pour se décider à l'enfourcher, mais dès le moment où il est sur la route, l'horizon ne semble jamais assez loin.
Le premier grand thème est l'amitié. Chaque personne est teinté de sa propre nuance de couleur et nous serions très probablement toujours dans cette nuance si ce n'était de nos proches et de nos amis, qui nous teintent un peu de la leur. C'est de cette manière que je conçois l'amitié de cet album. Chien a su insuffler un peu de sa passion pour les voyages, tout en cultivant l'intérêt pour la route qui fascinait Lapin, à ce dernier. Et le plus beau, c,est que cet "héritage" connait désormais une suite grâce au courage de Lapin d'aller de l'avant.
Ensuite, le voyage. Comme le disait si bien le personnage de Bilbon, dans "Le seigneur des anneaux": "Il est dangereux , Frodon, de sortir de chez soi. On prend la route et si on ne prend pas garde, on ne sait pas jusqu'où cela peut nous mener". C,est peut-être justement qu'on ne sait pas jusqu'où cela peut nous mener que cela nous rend inconfortable de partir, mais une chose est sure: quand on commence une aventure ou un voyage, le plus dur est justement de faire le premier pas. Ensuite, c'est simple de suivre la route, elle nous mènera forcément quelque part! L'inattendu, le fait de partir de chez soi, loin de ses repères, est effrayant pour qui ne connait rien d'autre. Alors, il faut compter sur un désir plus grand que la peur pour se donner un premier élan. Et ce désir, il a été cultivé, voir "légué" de Chien à Lapin.
On pourrait aussi parler du deuil, de sa porté et de sa durée. Lapin en aura mit du temps, mais c'est peut-être aussi parce qu'il a prit le temps qu'il a ensuite eu ce qu'il fallait pour passer à une autre étape. Et encore une fois, Chien lui a laissé quelque chose. Cet aspect de continuité au-delà de la mort est un aspect précieux: la personne continue d'avoir une importance sans être là, à travers les souvenirs, mais aussi à travers ce quelle a transmit. Ici, lapin s'est senti "accompagné" par Chien durant son périple. C'est beau et c'est constructif. Et à la fin, on remarque que Lapin a un ami Chat...un autre personnage qui sera gagné par la magie du voyage, peut-être?
Un album très touchant et pleins d'espoir.
Catégorisation: Album jeunesse fiction, littérature jeunesse débutante, premier cycle primaire, 6-7 ans
Note: 9/10
September 2, 2019
When birds made nests in the spokes, there was birdsong. But it was a life quieter than a bird's. And the birds always left.
One night when Rabbit was in the mood for a story, he brought the motorbike in. But it didn't tell Rabbit any stories, and Rabbit had none to tell it.
Author Kate Hoefler (Real Cowboys, illustrated by Jonathan Bean) and artist Sarah Jacoby (Forever and a Day) join together for the touching and joyous picture book Rabbit and the Motorbike. Over the course of a close friendship, Rabbit and Dog have made a good pair. Rabbit has always been rather quiet and not so keen to explore, while Dog has always been an adventurer and eager to share his tales. Dog has lived his life often out on his motorbike, visiting new people and new places around the country, but always returning to visit his best friend Rabbit and regale him with incredible stories- stories that made Rabbit feel as though wherever Dog had been, 'Rabbit had been right there with him". Now, sadly, Dog is "too old and sick" to travel anymore...and soon darkness and quiet and time catch up and leave Rabbit alone with memories and Dog's motorbike in his care. Worried about the motorbike lying in wait and living a much-too-quiet of a life with him, Rabbit dreams and thinks and recognizes his fears over a stretch of time. In a formidable moment, Rabbit looks down the road before him, Dog's motorbike by his side, and decides to simply go and be. In turns beautiful, joyful and brave, Rabbit's life carries on, albeit in some very different- and some surprisingly similar- ways. Hoefler's story is full and appealingly tenderhearted, perfectly matched by Jacoby's artwork, at once light-handed but with glorious bursts of colours that capture Rabbit's emotions and the unstoppable, changing world around him. For readers searching for beautiful, tender and thoughtful picture books that explore the depths of friendship and the experience of loss laced with rays of hope, Rabbit and the Motorbike is absolutely one to pick up. If you are looking for further suggestions on these topics or similarly eloquent and gorgeous reads, try pairing Rabbit and the Motorbike with picture books such as Brian Lies' The Rough Patch, or Jessixa Bagley's A Boat for Papa.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
December 14, 2019
Rabbit is the sort of creature who stays close to home, never venturing far from his home in the wheat fields. He does dream of leaving at night, but never does. He also loves to hear about Dog’s adventures on his motorbike. Dog is older now and doesn’t ride any longer, but his stories are wonderful and carry Rabbit far from his home. When Dog dies, he leaves his motorbike to Rabbit. Rabbit tries to make it part of his life, leaving it in his garden, taking it inside his house, but never riding it. Then one day, he decides to just ride the bike to the end of the road. But roads are long, and soon Rabbit is off on his own adventure that echoes that of Dog, who he can feel riding along with him at times.
Hoefler’s skill at poetry is apparent on the pages of this picture book. Her words here loop the reader into the quiet of Rabbit’s wheat field, the beauty of his dreams at night, and the reluctant return to his regular life after listening to Dog’s stories. The longing in the story is beautifully drawn out, lingering across the wheatfield and whispering stories of the road as Rabbit weaves the motorbike into his everyday life.
That same emotional tug is shown in the illustrations as well, wheatfields in the sunshine and also wheatfields at night with the moon illuminating single blades. The drama of Dog (and later Rabbit) riding the motorbike is accompanied by swirls of color, showing the freedom and delight of the ride. The colors are a great mix of dramatic night and gentle colors in the daytime scenes that are airy and inviting to sink into.
A picture book about taking risks and finding freedom. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Hoefler’s skill at poetry is apparent on the pages of this picture book. Her words here loop the reader into the quiet of Rabbit’s wheat field, the beauty of his dreams at night, and the reluctant return to his regular life after listening to Dog’s stories. The longing in the story is beautifully drawn out, lingering across the wheatfield and whispering stories of the road as Rabbit weaves the motorbike into his everyday life.
That same emotional tug is shown in the illustrations as well, wheatfields in the sunshine and also wheatfields at night with the moon illuminating single blades. The drama of Dog (and later Rabbit) riding the motorbike is accompanied by swirls of color, showing the freedom and delight of the ride. The colors are a great mix of dramatic night and gentle colors in the daytime scenes that are airy and inviting to sink into.
A picture book about taking risks and finding freedom. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
May 8, 2020
This emotional picture book will tug on heartstrings as readers take in this story of friendship, grief, fear, and healing. Rabbit lives in a wheat field and is happy and content to stay home. He never goes off of the property, but when his friend, Dog, comes around, he shares the stories of his days on the road on his motorbike. Unfortunately, Dog passes away and leaves his motorbike to Rabbit. Little by little, Rabbit feels the urge to see the world beyond his wheat field. At first blush, this story is a story of grief and healing. But since the world changed a few months ago, we all are experiencing the grief of being stuck in our wheat fields. Our homes seem very safe right now, and as all of the politicians, journalists, and even protestors talk about opening businesses and lifting Stay Home Orders, the idea of getting back out on the road can seem overwhelming and scary. I like that the story ends with a hopeful note for all of us - "Certain roads take all summer to get back to a field of wheat. Rabbit noticed. Especially on a motorbike. But this road eventually did. And when it did, the days were wheat again. But they were also motorbike, and wings, and stories. Stories that kept old friends - and new - right there with him."
November 7, 2019
Rabbit and the Motorbike is a story about missing a friend who is gone and creating new memories similar to the ones shared with that friend. Kate Hoefler takes the reader/listener through the experience of losing someone close. When the person is with you, you share many things and he/she adds to your enjoyment of life. When that person is gone it takes time to recover from the loss and get past it to the point of creating new memories. This isn’t a book you’d necessarily read for fun but it is a title with a purpose. Rabbit and the Motorbike could be used to help young children through the stages of grief.
Sarah Jacoby used watercolor and mixed media to create her illustrations. The pictures complement the text well. They are done in muted tones and add to the emotion of the story.
I would not hesitate to add Rabbit and the Motorbike to my K-12 Christian School library. I will be including it in my Mock Caldecott unit this fall.
I received a copy of Rabbit and the Motorbike because I am a member of the Land Of Enchantment Committee. This is my honest review.
Sarah Jacoby used watercolor and mixed media to create her illustrations. The pictures complement the text well. They are done in muted tones and add to the emotion of the story.
I would not hesitate to add Rabbit and the Motorbike to my K-12 Christian School library. I will be including it in my Mock Caldecott unit this fall.
I received a copy of Rabbit and the Motorbike because I am a member of the Land Of Enchantment Committee. This is my honest review.
November 18, 2019
A way to share grief and death with children - by celebrating life.
Rabbit lives in a wheat field happily, never leaving it. His friend Dog owned a motorcycle and traveled on the road often. He would visit Rabbit and share stories of his adventures on the road, where he felt that Rabbit was along for the ride. When Dog dies, he leaves his motorcycle to Rabbit. For a long time, Rabbit makes excuses why he shouldn't ride his motorcycle. One day, he heads out on the road on the motorcycle, traveling far and wide feeling that Dog is along with him. He comes home and shares stories of his adventures on the road with old friends and new.
Hoefler's gentle story about grief, loss, and moving on hits the mark. It is quiet, calm, and full of hope as Rabbit searches for peace.
Sarah Jacoby's watercolor, NuPastel, and mixed media match the calm and reassurance of the story.
Useful for counselors and others in finding peace after great loss.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
Rabbit lives in a wheat field happily, never leaving it. His friend Dog owned a motorcycle and traveled on the road often. He would visit Rabbit and share stories of his adventures on the road, where he felt that Rabbit was along for the ride. When Dog dies, he leaves his motorcycle to Rabbit. For a long time, Rabbit makes excuses why he shouldn't ride his motorcycle. One day, he heads out on the road on the motorcycle, traveling far and wide feeling that Dog is along with him. He comes home and shares stories of his adventures on the road with old friends and new.
Hoefler's gentle story about grief, loss, and moving on hits the mark. It is quiet, calm, and full of hope as Rabbit searches for peace.
Sarah Jacoby's watercolor, NuPastel, and mixed media match the calm and reassurance of the story.
Useful for counselors and others in finding peace after great loss.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
June 8, 2021
A beautifully tender story of friendship, loss, grief, healing, courage, and hope.
Rabbit lives a quiet but content life in a field of wheat and never leaves home. He passes his days living vicariously through Dog’s tales of his adventures traveling the country on his motorbike.
“The world is beautiful.” Dog would say, “if you’re brave enough to see it. Even new places can feel like long-lost friends.”
But Dog is too old and sick to travel now and one day, the stories come to an end and Rabbit is left with Dog’s beloved motorbike and silence.
Seasons pass until Rabbit finds the courage to go “just down the road,” venturing out on an adventure of his own and finding healing and honoring his friend’s legacy along the way.
Click to look inside this beautifully healing book.
Rabbit lives a quiet but content life in a field of wheat and never leaves home. He passes his days living vicariously through Dog’s tales of his adventures traveling the country on his motorbike.
“The world is beautiful.” Dog would say, “if you’re brave enough to see it. Even new places can feel like long-lost friends.”
But Dog is too old and sick to travel now and one day, the stories come to an end and Rabbit is left with Dog’s beloved motorbike and silence.
Seasons pass until Rabbit finds the courage to go “just down the road,” venturing out on an adventure of his own and finding healing and honoring his friend’s legacy along the way.
Click to look inside this beautifully healing book.
October 7, 2019
Without explicitly mentioning death, this story discusses loss and grief. It's a story of friendships, old and new, and overcoming fear as you remember someone and discover they're always with you.
The artwork is soft. Yellow wheat on the front papers and green wheat field at the end to perhaps signal an ending and beginning, just as the death of dog is the beginning of something else. Rabbit's ears convey sadness, drooping when dog is gone and even the flowers droop and look sad. A couple quibbles with the art though. When howling at the moon, it would be nice to see the moon instead of a desert with the sun. I've also never seen giant redwoods with leaves that change with the season.
The artwork is soft. Yellow wheat on the front papers and green wheat field at the end to perhaps signal an ending and beginning, just as the death of dog is the beginning of something else. Rabbit's ears convey sadness, drooping when dog is gone and even the flowers droop and look sad. A couple quibbles with the art though. When howling at the moon, it would be nice to see the moon instead of a desert with the sun. I've also never seen giant redwoods with leaves that change with the season.
September 7, 2019
Thanks to kidlitexchange for a free review copy!
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I just loved this book. I think it is a great book for anyone (any age) dealing with grief.
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Seeing Rabbit’s hesitance about leaving home and exploring after his dear friend is gone, brings up many emotions. You can feel the strength and love as Rabbit finally makes a move and takes a step forward. Dog is always with him... Inspiring.
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The illustrations are just perfect. I love looking at every detail as if it is being painted in front of me.
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It also makes you realize the power of great story telling between friends.
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I just loved this book. I think it is a great book for anyone (any age) dealing with grief.
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Seeing Rabbit’s hesitance about leaving home and exploring after his dear friend is gone, brings up many emotions. You can feel the strength and love as Rabbit finally makes a move and takes a step forward. Dog is always with him... Inspiring.
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The illustrations are just perfect. I love looking at every detail as if it is being painted in front of me.
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It also makes you realize the power of great story telling between friends.
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