The Rabbit Listened
Written and Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

Publisher’s Summary:
When Taylor’s block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling.

Primary Source Pairing:
In a beautiful story of friendship, we learn that sometimes the best thing to do to help a friend in need is to be present and listen. For this primary source pairing, invite students to study the collage of images included above or the images individually linked below. If studying the collage, instruct students to study each image, choose one, and make a connection to the characters in the book. Encourage students to share in small groups.

Alternatively, create a picture walk with the individual images. After reading the story, set out the images on tables. If possible, use six tables – one for each image. Instruct students to circulate around each table and study the images while thinking of a connection to the story. After students have rotated through each image, ask them to return to the table with the image with which they most connected. Instruct students to share their connections with the students who have also gathered at that table.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see.
• What do you notice first?
• What people and objects are shown?
• How are they arranged?
• What is the physical setting?
• What’s happening in the image?
• How are the children in the image being good friends to each other?
• Make a connection to the characters in the book The Rabbit Listened.
• Which character in the book The Rabbit Listened does this image remind you of? Why? Use text evidence to support your answer.

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
Photo Collage, made by JMarek: GoodFriendsCollage

Images in Collage:
Two girls, top left: www.maxpixel.net
Two boys, top right: www.maxpixel.net
Two boys, middle left: pixabay.com
Two girls, middle right: pixabay.com
Two kids, bottom left: pixnio.com
Two girls, bottom right: pixabay.com