POOR LITTLE RABBIT

Little Rabbit has fallen over and injured his elbow. It hurts!

Having helped to put Little Rabbit to bed (Tickle My Ears, 2016) and also to give him a bath (Bathtime for Little Rabbit, 2017), in this new installment readers are now asked to help Little Rabbit feel better. Tapping into a toddler’s developing sense of empathy, the author talks directly to children as he guides them through the actions that will help Little Rabbit. As the little white rabbit with a tear on his face shows off a bruised, red elbow, readers are asked to “Try blowing on it—wfff, wfff, wfff.” With the turn of the page, readers see their blowing didn’t help; Little Rabbit is bleeding. As he cries even harder, the author suggests children put a band-aid on. Turn the page, and—“Perfect!”—the crying has subsided somewhat, but a little more comforting is needed. A “magic rhyme,” perhaps: “Rock-a-bye bunny, in the treetop.” The hurt bunny is still crying so readers are asked to stroke his ears. “Thank you, that worked!” Now it’s time to wipe away the tears and blow his nose. “Very good!” The only thing remaining is to brush off the dirt and send Little Rabbit on his way. Little Rabbit’s feelings are so apparent in the expressive cartoon illustrations that young readers will easily connect with him.

A sweetly engaging book powered simply by imagination and a turn of the page.