Being With

A Book Review of The Rabbit Listened

​ The Rabbit Listened                                  
​Written & Illustrated by: Cori Doerrfeld
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers

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​The concept of "Being With" is very simple, yet very important. It is the idea of quietly sitting with someone, being with them, when they are struggling. As humans, we go through many experiences where words simply cannot help.  

Having a friend just sitting beside you through a tough time can be incredibly comforting and therapeutic.  When the person chooses to talk, being with them is being there to listen.  Just listen.  When a friend or loved one is hurting, we have a tendency to want to fix it.  We want them to be happy.  We can't tolerate seeing them in pain.  But sometimes in life, we just need to sit with our feelings for awhile.  It can be deeply comforting to have someone you care about joining you in sitting with your feelings.  This helps you not feel so alone.  

In her recent Children's book, The Rabbit Listened, Cori Doerrfeld describes the concept of "being with" beautifully.  She presents the concept at a level very relatable to young children.  This book is simple, yet powerful. While it is geared toward children ages 3- 7, we can all learn a great deal from this book.  

The story starts out with Taylor, a young girl, building a very special tower out of blocks that elicits much pride.  Out of nowhere, a flock of birds fly by and knock down her prized castle.  Her creation is ruined. Ugh. The dreaded experience that evokes big feelings familiar to all children. 

Ms. Doerrfeld does an amazing job illustrating Taylor's strong feelings. As expected, a parade of well-meaning friends come and want to help Taylor.  Chicken tries to make her talk, Bear tries to get her to growl and shout and elephant tries to help her rebuild.  Taylor is not interested in any of this.  Many other friends come by to try and make it better for Taylor.  Nothing works. 

Until finally and quietly... Rabbit slowly comes up and sits very close to Taylor so she can feel his warm body.  The Rabbit sits in silence by her side.  He listens when she feels like talking, or shouting, and listens closely to all of her ideas.  After Taylor goes through the process of working through her feelings at her own pace, she decides to rebuild.  At that point, Rabbit is still by her side sharing her joy of being ready to rebuild.  

The Rabbit Listened is helpful to ALL children(parents, therapists and teachers too!) This book is a frequent go-to in my practice with children who have difficulty regulating their emotions.  It provides insight to these children as to what they may need to calm themselves. The book also provides insight to their caregivers as to how to manage their child's big feelings.  Additionally, I utilize this book for kids that have recently gone through big struggles in their life, whether it be a death or a separation in the family.  In addition to gaining personal insight, this story teaches children how to be a good friend and to help others who may be struggling.  The Rabbit Listened covers a universal topic that can remind us all that simply "being with" someone is the best gift you can give.  

After reading the book, why not create a Rabbit who will sit quietly and listen to you?  Or that you can lend to your family members or friends when they are struggling?  See below for instructions.  

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Activity Idea for The Rabbit Listened

Making a sock bunny together with the child and discussing how the bunny can sit beside him/her when he/she is having big feelings is a great therapeutic activity.  They can also talk to the bunny about their big feelings. The bunny is simply there to sit and listen. The bunny can also be used for them to help other people and lend him out as a sitting buddy to a family member or friend who is struggling. 

To drive the concept home, I do role playing in therapy, having the child pretend they are sad, mad, or scared and setting the bunny quietly next to them.  As the therapist, I pretend to have big feelings and the child then places the bunny next to me.  We then discuss how it feels to have someone next to you, sharing your big feelings and listening. We also discuss situations that have occurred in their life when it would have been helpful to have someone sit by their side quietly.  We discuss situations their family or friends may have experienced that they think would have been helpful to sit quietly by their side and how this might make them feel.  

Materials needed
An adult-sized sock
​2 cups of rice
​measuring cup with spout
2 large sturdy rubber bands
felt or foam sheet
large pompom
googly eyes
ribbon
tacky craft glue
sharp scissors

Directions
1. Fill sock with 2 cups of rice       





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2. Wrap rubber band tightly around sock for the top of head.
leaving enough sock for ears

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3. Wrap other rubber band tightly around area of neck, 
shaping the head to the size desired


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4.Cut a piece of felt or foam in the shape of the belly
and glue on with tacky glue


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5.Cut out small rounded triangle shape from felt or foam
for nose and glue on middle of face with tacky glue

6. Glue googly eyes on face




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7. Glue on large pompom on back of body for tail






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8. Cut the top part of the sock in half lengthwise to 
create the ears.  Cut corners to make ears rounded.












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9. Tie bow around bunnies neck


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10.Finished Project!!  The "Being With" Bunny.


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11. And...the back!!