The Rabbit Listened

Name: The Rabbit Listened
Author: Cori Doerrfeld

A story that explores compassion and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Compassion. seeing past difference to offer kindness.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: The ability to feel what others are feeling and the action of trying to help them with their troubles. In short: Feel what others feel.

Summary: Taylor works hard to build a remarkable structure of blocks. Unfortunately, his building is attacked by a flock of birds. Taylor’s friends try to help him by offering advice, but it doesn’t work. Finally, a rabbit quietly approaches Taylor and does not give any advice at all. The rabbit just listens while Taylor talks about his big feelings. This clears the air and Taylor starts to plan his next structure with rabbit by his side. Lesson Objectives:

Students gain empathy skills - they are more equipped to handle situations where empathy is needed, both for others and themselves.

Guiding Questions:

Taylor starts out his day in a happy mood, then something happens to spoil it. What happens?
What advice does the chicken give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the bear give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the elephant give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the hyena give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
The hyena, kangaroo, ostrich, and snake all have advice to give. Can you remember what they said? Did any of that help Taylor?
When Taylor was alone, the rabbit came. What did the rabbit do and how did it help Taylor?
When you’re upset, what helps you feel better? Among all the animals who tried to help Taylor, whose advice would make you feel better?
Did you ever get excited about something you made and then somehow it got wrecked? What was it and how did it make you feel when it was gone?
If someone around you gets upset, would you just sit with them like the rabbit did, or would you do something else to try to help them?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Compassion means feeling what another feels and choosing to act.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Compassion · Family Discussion Guide

The Rabbit Listened

by Cori Doerrfeld

Guiding Questions

Students gain empathy skills - they are more equipped to handle situations where empathy is needed, both for others and themselves.

Guiding Questions:

Taylor starts out his day in a happy mood, then something happens to spoil it. What happens?
What advice does the chicken give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the bear give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the elephant give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
What advice does the hyena give Taylor? Does it help Taylor feel better?
The hyena, kangaroo, ostrich, and snake all have advice to give. Can you remember what they said? Did any of that help Taylor?
When Taylor was alone, the rabbit came. What did the rabbit do and how did it help Taylor?
When you’re upset, what helps you feel better? Among all the animals who tried to help Taylor, whose advice would make you feel better?
Did you ever get excited about something you made and then somehow it got wrecked? What was it and how did it make you feel when it was gone?
If someone around you gets upset, would you just sit with them like the rabbit did, or would you do something else to try to help them?

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The Rabbit Listened

Guiding Questions for Parents.

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The Rabbit Listened

Guiding Questions